Sage-Tips

Is it OK to leave wisdom tooth root in gum?

Intentionally leaving the roots behind reduces the risk of bruising or stretching of the nerve. This can significantly reduce the risk of permanent lip, chin, cheek, gums and tongue numbness or tingling that can happen after wisdom tooth removal. There are only certain situations where this procedure is recommended.

What happens if a piece of wisdom tooth is left behind?

Unless infected (a judgment based on the reason for the extraction), leaving behind a small fragment is usually of no consequence. Any pieces of broken tooth root that do remain should be periodically monitored via x-ray examination.

Can you leave a broken wisdom tooth?

Don’t leave a broken wisdom tooth untreated. Even if you are not experiencing pain from the broken tooth, a crack can allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause an infection. An infection can spread to your gums and jaw.

What happens if a tooth breaks off below the gum line?

When a molar is broken below your gum line, you will be asked to wear aligners or braces on the fractured tooth for some weeks to pull it above your gum line. If the damage is minor, your dentist may use a filling to fix your broken molar or crown to cover it.

What happens if a wisdom tooth is close to a nerve?

An impacted tooth may be close to major nerves (see pages…….). When the tooth is extracted, the nerve may become bruised. This can cause pain, numbness, tingling and loss of feeling in teeth, gums, cheeks, lips, chin, tongue and around the upper and lower jaw.

Why don t dentists let you keep your teeth?

While every dentist will have his or her own preferences, there are no federal laws or regulations that prohibit or discourage it. OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard names extracted teeth as a potentially infectious material, which should be handled accordingly (i.e. disposed of in approved medical waste containers).

Can you get an infection if a piece of tooth is left after an extraction?

A small part of a tooth may break and be left in the gum during an extraction procedure. This bone or tooth fragment in the gum may irritate the tongue and might cause infection in the gum.

Can a broken wisdom tooth make you sick?

An infected wisdom tooth may cause headaches and jaw pain and tenderness. You may even see visibly red, inflamed, swollen tissue near the affected tooth. In severe cases, you may even develop a fever and have trouble opening your mouth or swallowing.

Can a tooth be saved if broken at the gum line?

Teeth that are broken beneath the gum line are known as subgingival fractures. Whether your tooth can be saved depends on how deeply the tooth is broken and how quickly you get treatment. Your dentist might have to recontour your bone with a procedure called a crown lengthening to be able to fix your broken tooth.

How long can you keep a broken tooth in your mouth?

Once a tooth is damaged or decaying, it’s only a matter of time before it dies. Depending on how heavy the damage, the tooth could die within a matter of days or even a couple of months. Darkened or discolored teeth are often the first sign that your tooth is on its way out.

How common is nerve damage from wisdom tooth removal?

Nerve damage is a rare, but possible complication of wisdom tooth extraction. It causes numbness, tingling, or other changes in sensation in areas controlled by the damaged nerve. Nerve damage is discussed often in wisdom tooth extraction but rarely occurs.