You can get scar tissue after wisdom teeth removal because after the extraction, the hole in the gums needs to close. As with healing from all types of trauma, injuries, or surgeries, the formation of scarred tissue may be inevitable at times.
However, we don't believe it to be a problem at all and you won't need surgery to "correct it" which we will explain why.
Table of contents:
Scar tissue formation in wisdom tooth hole
After your wisdom wisdom tooth is removed, scar tissue may form during the healing process. The reason is because healing after the extraction usually occurs by secondary intention rather than primary intention.
Primary intention. When the wisdom tooth hole is able to be stitched together, thus closing the hole completely. This type of healing results in the least amount of scar tissue.
Secondary intention. If the wisdom tooth hole is unable to be stitched together and allowed to heal as is. This type of healing results in the most amount of scar tissue.
Most extractions for third molars will heal with secondary intention rather than primary intention because your dentist is unable to stitch up the hole due to insufficient gum tissue. If you were ever wondering why your dentist never gave you stitches after the extraction, that is the reason why.
You may get stitches after the extraction but scar tissue prevention is not the reason why. If you do get sutures it is for other reasons. In summary, it is almost inevitable for you to have at least some scar tissue development after wisdom teeth removal since it most likely did not heal with primary intention.
Is it normal?
It is considered normal to have scar tissue after wisdom teeth removal. You don't always get it but there will always be a possibility of having it. You may even say it is inevitable at times since the vast majority of the extractions heal by secondary intention rather than by primary intention.
There are also differing severity of the scarring:
Mild. Those with mild scarring probably wouldn't even notice they have it.
Moderate. May be noticeable if you look carefully but due to how far back the third molars are, most people aren't even aware of it.
Severe. The most noticeable scarring and is probably why you're reading this article.
Will it go away?
Depending on how much scarring is present in the gums where the third molars were but most likely it won't go away. It may become slightly less noticeable after it finishes healing but it won't disappear completely.
The same can be said for scars on your face or other body parts. The good news is that these are located in the furthest depths of your mouth and nobody would even notice except for your dentist. Who looks back there anyway?
Is the scarred tissue an issue?
The scarred tissue after wisdom teeth extraction may be a cosmetic issue to some people. However, aside from the aesthetics, it does NOT have any detrimental side affects on how your mouth functions.
What it will not affect:
Chewing. You'll be able to eat and chew as if it never happened.
Speech. Will not affect your enunciation of any words, letters, or sounds.
Discomfort. There will be no residual pain afterwards.
Facial structure. It won't affect your facial profile.
In summary, the only potential problem would be how it may look but can you even see that far back in your mouth? Most of the healing results in very mild scarring anyway which isn't readily noticeable.
Surgical correction of scar tissue
It is unnecessary to surgically correct wisdom teeth scar tissue because it does not cause any functional issues. There is also no known surgical procedure which would correct this condition.
To be quite honest, most dentists don't even pay attention to this at all. As long as the wisdom tooth hole has successfully closed, we consider the surgical procedure a success. Even if you asked your dentist to perform a scar correction, they'll probably look at you like you had two heads. Surprisingly to this date, I've never had any of my patients ask me of this.
Takeaway
Scar tissue may form after having the wisdom teeth taken out but the good news is that it's often unnoticeable due to where it's located. These molars are so far back in the mouth that most people can't see them so even if the gums become scarred, it doesn't bother people.
As a matter of fact, due to how far back the third molars are, most people aren't even aware that they have wisdom teeth until their dentist mentions it to them. The point that we're trying to make is that this condition is a non-issue and you shouldn't even worry about it.
It doesn't affect how your mouth functions nor does it impact your daily life. There are plenty of other dental conditions which you could be worrying about. The tissue is not the issue.
Comments