wisdom teeth extraction

Melatonin to Reduce Pain and Swelling Following Wisdom Teeth Removal

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An interesting article titled “The Effect of Local Melatonin Application Following the Removal of an Impacted Mandibular Third Molar” appears in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery written by Shaimaa Mohsen Refahee and et. al. The article seeks to measure the effect of applying melatonin in the socket of an impacted lower wisdom tooth with osteogenic activity, painkilling effect, and anti-inflammatory effect. A prior article exploring the use of melatonin after wisdom teeth extraction has been discussed on this site before see Should Melatonin be Used for Wisdom Teeth Surgery?. In the current article, the authors conducted a prospective, randomized, blinded trial comprised of patients who required removal of the impacted lower wisdom tooth. Melatonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, which could potentially limit problems like intrabony defects and bone loss associated … Read more

Is it Safe to Not use Suture or Stitches When Removing Wisdom Teeth?

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An interesting article titled “Sutureless socket technique after removalof third molars: a multicentric, open, randomized controlled trial” appears in BMC Oral Health written by Sarah Takadoum and et. al. (vol. 22, Article number: 256, 2022). The article conducted a clinical trial to compare pain following removal of impacted wisdom teeth with and without sutures also known as stiches. In the article the authors mentioned how questions remain regarding the best operative techniques during wisdom teeth surgery particularly the mucosal closure stage on impacted mandibular (lower) wisdom teeth. There are some who recommend suturing sockets after extraction, justfying this by saying that it limits bleeding and contamination of the postoperative site to thus improve the quality and speed of healing. There are others who prefer natural healing while the site is closed via cheek pressure. The authors set out to compare postoperative pain … Read more

Lemierre’s Syndrome After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

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One possible complicaton after wisdom teeth extraction is known as Lemierre’s Syndrome. Lemierre’s Syndrome is a rare complication with limited cases being reported that can happen after having wisdom teeth extracted. Since antibiotics have been introduced it is also referred to as “the forgotten disease.” It has been covered on this site before, and is listed as a complication of wisdom teeth removal at http://www.teethremoval.com/complications.html. Lemierre’s Syndrome starts with an infection in the head and neck region and presents with swelling, a high fever, neck pain, and a sore throat. It has a high mortality rate of 18% and thus imaging and antibiotic treatment are of the upmost importance if it presents. Diagnosis involves laboratory results including blood cultures and radiological scans such as CT imaging. Particularly, a CT scan with contrast can identify a thrombosed vein, such as the … Read more

Treating dentigerous cyst by extracting wisdom teeth

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An interesting article titled “Marsupialization of Dentigerous Cysts Followed by Enucleation and Extraction of Deeply Impacted Third Molars: A Report of Two Cases” appears in Cureus in April 02, 2022 written by Nedal Abu-Mostafa (vol. 14, no. 4, pp. e23772). The article discusses two cases of a dentigerous cyst (DC) that involves the crown or a portion of the crown of an unerupted or impacted tooth that more commonly affect mandibular or lower impacted wisdom teeth. In the article discussion is made of dentigerous cysts being the second most common odontogenic cysts. Dentigerous cysts are caused by an alteration of the reduced enamel epithelium and results in fluid accumulation between it and the enamel of the crown. The progression of dentigerous cystsis are slow and often do not present any symptoms and the patient learns about them through an x-ray or … Read more

Relationship between Body Mass Index and Wisdom Teeth Eruption

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An interesting article titled “Relationship Between the Eruption of Third Molar Teeth and the Growing Status of the Assamese Inhabitants of a North-Eastern State of India” appears in Cureus in January 09, 2022, written by Putul Mahanta Sr. and et. al. The article seeks to evaluate the relationship between wisdom teeth eruption and a possible association with body mass index which can be used to monitor growth in children. The authors mention that teeth eruption is related to physical growth and is used to gauge child maturity as a biological marker. Factors such as hereditary, gender, nutrition and geographic location are known to influence teeth eruption. The authors set out to take into account that factors like BMI, genetic, nutritional, and geographical factors on wisdom teeth eruption. They conducted a cross sectional study of 1,060 patients with ages between 14 and … Read more