MCNA Dental
Dental Details  •  Monthly Provider Newsletter
Texas Edition  •  January 2019
Corporate Website
Social Media Profiles
Texas Provider Hotline
1-855-776-6262
 
Communicating About Wisdom Tooth Pain: How Much is Too Much?
Communicating About Wisdom Tooth Pain: How Much is Too Much?

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?

When a patient experiences the eruption of third molars, they could be coming to you with complaints about pain with no understanding of what is considered within the normal range for such development. Helping them to understand what constitutes severe symptoms requiring the removal of wisdom teeth may provide them with useful perspective. Consider describing the following symptoms that would indicate that the ...

Communication
Communicating About Wisdom Tooth Pain: How Much is Too Much?

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?

When a patient experiences the eruption of third molars, they could be coming to you with complaints about pain with no understanding of what is considered within the normal range for such development. Helping them to understand what constitutes severe symptoms requiring the removal of wisdom teeth may provide them with useful perspective. Consider describing the following symptoms that would indicate that the patient's pain level is greater than "normal."

  • Throbbing pain paired with jaw stiffness resulting from an impacted tooth
  • Infected, swollen gum tissue on top of an impacted tooth that has broken partway through the gum
  • Cysts around the new teeth that can hollow out the jaw and damage nerves
  • Cavities and decay formed by bacteria that grow in pockets between teeth created by swelling of gums

As with all treatment decisions, the necessity for surgery is decided based upon each patient's unique oral health condition. Your careful examination of the shape of the mouth and the patient's x-rays along with the patient's description of his or her level of pain will help to form the basis for your discussion about the ultimate decision whether the third molars need to be removed.