There are many different factors that play into the chances of dying from wisdom teeth removal. For instance, the surgery itself can have an impact on your health and cause damage to adjacent teeth or nerves. In addition, you can also experience inflammation, infection, or a heightened sense of pain. These can all cause you to be in pain for a longer period of time than you would otherwise be.
Sedation
Sedation is a method of dulling consciousness. It is used for X-rays, catheters, and for sewing up cuts. It is also used in the case of skin lesions.
A number of adverse events can occur during sedation, including respiratory depression, failure to regain consciousness, and aspiration of foreign bodies. If these conditions are not managed, they can be fatal.
Children under six years old are especially prone to adverse events. These can include failure to regain consciousness, which can be caused by a lack of blood to the brain, or the direct effects of surgery on the brain.
General anaesthesia, which requires the services of an anesthesiologist, carries the most risk in terms of morbidity and mortality. However, it is still considered safe.
General anesthesia
If you’re planning to have wisdom teeth removed, you might want to know that general anesthesia can help lower the risk of dying. In fact, research shows that the mortality rate for dental procedures has dropped in recent years. However, there are still some risks involved.
In addition to nerve damage and loss of sensation, there are also risks involved with oral anesthesia. Patients may suffer from shallow breathing, apnea, and even seizures.
Anesthetics can block nerves that increase the heart’s rate. In some cases, the muscles in the soft palate and tongue become too relaxed. This can cause speech problems and drooling.
Infection
When a wisdom tooth is removed, an infection is a common side effect. Often, there is a blood clot that forms and protects the bone cavity left by the extracted tooth. But sometimes, this clot dislodges and infection follows.
The best way to prevent an infection after a wisdom tooth extraction is to maintain good oral hygiene. This is particularly important during the post-operative period. During this time, you should brush your teeth, rinse with warm salty water, and use a mouthwash like Corsodyl.
Another smart thing to do is to avoid smoking. Smoking is known to increase the risk of an infection, and can disrupt the clot that is necessary for healing.
Inflammation
The incidence of complications following wisdom tooth extraction is relatively low. However, in a minority of patients, inflammatory disease may develop. These conditions can lead to damage to the adjacent teeth or restorations, as well as disruption to daily activities.
These complications include: osteomyelitis, new or persistent periodontal defects, and surgical-site infection. These risks are heightened in older people with deeply impacted teeth. In addition, some individuals have temporary or permanent nerve injury.
If these issues occur, a patient may require antibiotics. An artificial heart valve may also need antibiotics. If a person has a compromised immune system, they may need antibiotics.
Damage to adjacent teeth and nerves
After removing wisdom teeth, patients may experience pain in the surrounding areas. This is called dental paresthesia. It is caused by nerve trauma during the procedure. It may be mild or severe.
The pain is usually felt in the jaw or face. The sensation can last for days, months or even years. This can interfere with daily activities.
Studies have investigated the clinical features and prognoses of adjacent tooth injury. The aim is to determine if it is an indicator of an abnormality in the affected area. It may be related to damage to the periodontal ligament.
The presence of cysts around the tooth can cause a resorption cavity. This is a fluid-filled sac that can spread to the roots of the neighboring tooth. It can also damage the jawbone.
Cost
Wisdom teeth removal costs can vary widely. The best way to find out is to talk to your dentist and compare dental plans. Some insurance carriers offer a discount if you have all four wisdom teeth removed at the same time. Some dental practices also offer financing options to help make the procedure more affordable.
The average cost for a single tooth extraction is $225. You can expect to pay between $250 and $650 for each of your four wisdom teeth. However, if you’re removing all four of your wisdom teeth at once, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,300.