Wisdom Teeth Removal Informed Consent

Between the ages of 18 and 24, wisdom teeth usually erupt. Wisdom teeth are frequently impacted, which means there is no space for them to erupt. Even if there is space present, they seldom emerge into the proper position.

Reasons why you may not have this space include:

• Our other teeth do not get excessively worn as a result of our soft diets.
• It is vital to save other teeth which have erupted into the correct position.
• A small number of other teeth are extracted before the growth of wisdom teeth.
• The lower jaw has not developed enough for the wisdom teeth to fit properly.

Reasons for wisdom teeth removal

Wisdom teeth will need removal if any of the following problems occur:

Crowding

Nearby teeth may be pushed out of place as a consequence of the pressure imposed on them by the wisdom tooth, which can contribute to the crowding of front teeth.

Damage to nearby molars

An impacted wisdom tooth might push against the neighbouring molars. This frequently results in both teeth suffering significant damage.

Infection

When a wisdom tooth breaks through the gums, an infection may develop at the top of the tooth. Pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness can all be caused by infection and inflammation (swollen red gum). 

Cysts

Cysts may form in the gum around a tooth and push it out of its proper position. These small sacks of fluid can damage bone as well as other teeth and gums.

Which wisdom teeth require removal?

People commonly ask ‘Why do I need all four wisdom teeth out?’ This is because the impacted tooth causing problems needs to be extracted, but so does its surrounding tooth. The teeth keep moving until they hit something. If only one tooth is extracted, the opposing tooth will continue to move (supereruption) until it strikes the gingiva of the extracted tooth, at which time it may cause difficulty.

As it supererupts, the surface area of the tooth grows, allowing more food and germs to accumulate. Because the opposing tooth is also removed, patients will not need to undergo the extraction procedure and the necessary healing twice, because both of their teeth are extracted at the same time.

Following a tooth extraction, there will be some pain, discomfort and swelling which may require painkillers. There will also be bleeding from the socket, though this is generally minor and readily managed by applying pressure.

Risks of wisdom teeth removal

It’s also important that you are aware of the risks involved with the procedure:

Damage to teeth

When a tooth is extracted, the tooth root tip might break into little pieces – around 1mm in size – and come away with the tooth. If the dentist suspects that damage to nerves or other structures may be caused during extraction, he or she might refrain from removing those parts.

Damage to teeth growing tightly against the wisdom teeth may also occur during the removal of the wisdom teeth.

Removal of wisdom teeth may weaken the jaw. In some instances, the jaw may break during the operation, or the healing process.

If the upper teeth are near the sinuses, removal may cause a hole between the mouth and the sinus. This might necessitate additional treatment.

Biting of the numb lip after the operation may cause damage after the teeth have been removed.

Damage to the Inferior Dental Nerve on each side of the Mandible (lower jaw)

This nerve passes very close to the root of the lower wisdom tooth (often in contact with it) and gives feeling to the lower teeth, lower lip and chin on that side. The nerve is close to the surgical region, and as a result, has a small chance of being damaged during the procedure. This might result in numbness in the lower teeth, lower lip, and chin. This can be temporary or permanent.

Damage to the Lingual Nerve on each side of the Mandible (lower jaw)

This nerve passes very close to the tongue side of the lower wisdom tooth, and posterior mandibular teeth. The lingual nerve gives feeling and taste to that area. The nerve is close to the surgical region, and as a result, has a small chance of being damaged during the procedure. This might result in numbness in the lower teeth, lower lip, and chin. This can be temporary or permanent.

All of my queries have been answered by the information in this consent form, and I fully understand the above statements.

If I have any more questions, I will ask my dentist before undergoing the procedure.