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Wisdom teeth removal, also known as third molar extraction, is a common dental procedure to remove the third molars, which are the last set of teeth located at the back of the mouth. These teeth typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood, between the ages of 17 and 25, but not everyone develops wisdom teeth.

Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Removal:

1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth may not have enough space to erupt properly, leading to partial eruption or becoming trapped (impacted) beneath the gum line. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, and infection.

2. Crowding: If there is not enough space in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to come in properly, they can push adjacent teeth, leading to misalignment and crowding.

3. Infection or Gum Disease: Partially erupted wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean properly, making them susceptible to infections and gum disease.

4. Decay: Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, making them harder to clean effectively, leading to an increased risk of cavities and decay.

Complex tooth extractions refer to the removal of teeth that are more difficult to extract than regular teeth due to various factors. These factors may include:

1. Impacted Teeth: When a tooth does not fully emerge from the gum line or remains trapped beneath the gum and bone, it is considered impacted. This situation can make the extraction more complex, as it requires creating an incision in the gum and possibly removing some bone to access the tooth.

2. Curved or Misshapen Roots: Some teeth may have curved or unusually shaped roots, making them harder to remove. Dentists or oral surgeons need to carefully navigate the roots to avoid damage to surrounding structures.

3. Broken or Fractured Teeth: Teeth that are severely decayed, broken, or fractured may require additional steps to extract. In some cases, the tooth may need to be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier removal.

4. Ankylosed Teeth: Ankylosis occurs when a tooth’s root fuses to the surrounding bone, making extraction more challenging.

5. Close Proximity to Nerves or Sinuses: Teeth located near major nerves or the sinus cavity may require extra care during extraction to avoid damage to these sensitive structures.

6. Medical Complications: Patients with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders or compromised immune systems, may need specialised care during extractions to minimise potential complications.

Surgical endodontics, also known as apical surgery or apicectomy, is a specialised dental procedure performed when traditional root canal treatment is not sufficient to save a tooth with a persistent infection or other complications. This surgical procedure is typically done by an endodontist, a dentist with advanced training in root canal procedures and surgical techniques.

An apicectomy is performed when the tip of a tooth’s root, known as the apex, remains infected or contains a cyst or granuloma even after a root canal procedure. The goal of the surgery is to remove the infected or damaged tissue at the root tip and seal the end of the root to prevent further infection and promote healing.

Removal of impacted teeth is a common surgical procedure performed by oral surgeons or dentists. An impacted tooth is a tooth that fails to fully emerge through the gum line or remains trapped beneath the gum and bone. The most commonly impacted teeth are the third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, but other teeth can also become impacted.

Reasons for Removing Impacted Teeth:

1. Pain and Discomfort: Impacted teeth can cause pain and discomfort, especially when they push against adjacent teeth or the surrounding bone.

2. Infections and Gum Disease: Partially erupted impacted teeth can create pockets around them, which become breeding grounds for bacteria, leading to infections and gum disease.

3. Cysts or Tumors: In some cases, impacted teeth may develop cysts or tumors around them, potentially damaging nearby structures such as bone and nerves.

4. Tooth Decay: Impacted teeth are more challenging to clean properly, increasing the risk of tooth decay.

5. Crowding: Impacted teeth can cause crowding and misalignment of other teeth.

Orthodontic extractions refer to the planned removal of one or more teeth as part of an orthodontic treatment plan. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws to improve a person’s bite, appearance, and overall oral health.

Orthodontic extractions are not always necessary for every orthodontic case. The decision to perform extractions is made by the orthodontist after a comprehensive evaluation, which may include X-rays, dental impressions, and other diagnostic tools. The primary goal of orthodontic extractions is to create enough space to align the remaining teeth properly and achieve a balanced and harmonious bite.

Reasons for Orthodontic Extractions:

1. Crowding: One of the most common reasons for orthodontic extractions is dental crowding. Crowding occurs when there is not enough space in the jaw for all the teeth to fit properly. By removing one or more teeth, the orthodontist can create the necessary space to align the remaining teeth effectively.

2. Protrusion: If a patient’s front teeth protrude significantly, removing one or more teeth can help retract and align them within the dental arch.

3. Overbite or Underbite: In some cases of severe overbite or underbite, extractions may be part of the orthodontic treatment plan to address the underlying jaw discrepancy.

4. Jaw Size Discrepancy: When there is a significant difference in the size of the jaws, orthodontic extractions can be used to facilitate the correction of the bite.

5. Impacted Teeth: In certain situations, impacted teeth (teeth that have not erupted fully or at all) may need to be extracted to prevent further complications during orthodontic treatment.