27/10/2025
If you have a wisdom tooth that is troubling you with either decay, recurrent pain, infection or is causing decay to the adjacent molar, this needs to be assessed clinically, with an x ray and possibly a CBCT scan , the treatment can be either complete extraction or something called coronectomy, which is removal of the crown part only and leaving the roots behind in the bone. If the wisdom tooth root ends are in close proximity to the nerve that runs in the mandibular canal in the jaw ( the ID nerve supply’s sensation to your lip ) the nerve is at risk.
The risks of the procedures are. a)Pain
b) Bleeding
c) Swelling
d) Trismus – inability to fully open the mouth for days/ weeks.
e) Infection
f) Nerve damage – numbness (loss of sensation) / partial numbness, altered/ painful sensation/
itching sensation and burning sensation to the lower lip & / or tongue (with extraction of
wisdom teeth), at the side of the lip or the tongue. if this was to happen, this is usually temporary and it tends to happen in 5% of cases, however, it can be permanent in 1% of cases of extractions. With coronectomy only the lingual nerve (the tongue nerve) is at risk with the possibility of causing the above at the side of the tongue.
g)Dry socket h)Damage to adjacent teeth i)Coronectomy other risks are short- and long-term pain, short- and long-term infection and needing to convert to surgical extraction either immediately intra operatively (if the roots became lose during the procedure) or at a later date. Contact me if you a have similar problem and I will be delighted to help 🇬🇧
