Let's Talk About Wisdom Tooth Pain: How Much is Too Much?
Today, the eruption of wisdom teeth can sometimes mean oral surgery for teens and young adults. The removal of wisdom teeth is either necessary due to anticipated issues that will develop in time, according to what is shown on a patient's x-ray, or due to pain. Patient-reported pain due to the entry of third molars into the mouth varies by individual, so how can you have a meaningful discussion about pain with a patient in order to discern whether the need for wisdom tooth removal truly exists?
As we can observe with children, a certain amount of pain and discomfort can occur when teeth erupt through the gums. When a patient experiences the eruption of third molars, they could be coming to you with complaints about pain that is considered within the normal range for such development. Explain to your patients and their parents that ...