The good news is that removing wisdom teeth usually doesn’t require breaking your jaw. Most procedures are designed to safely remove the teeth, even in difficult cases. However, while it’s very rare, a broken jaw can happen as a complication during wisdom tooth surgery.
Modern Dental Techniques that Avoid Jaw Fractures
Several modern dental techniques have made wisdom tooth extractions safer and more precise, reducing the risk of complications like jaw fractures. Following are some main advancements:
- Cone Beam CT Scans: This advanced 3D imaging allows surgeons to get a detailed view of the mouth and jaw. By clearly seeing the position of the wisdom teeth and surrounding structures, surgeons can plan the extraction more accurately, lowering the risk of fractures.
- Laser-Assisted Surgery: Lasers provide a precise, less invasive way to remove soft tissue with minimal bleeding and swelling. This reduces discomfort and damage to surrounding areas, including the jaw, making the procedure safer.
- Piezosurgery: This technique uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut through bone with high accuracy, reducing the force needed during the extraction. It’s especially helpful for impacted wisdom teeth, as it minimizes damage to nearby tissues and nerves, lowering the chance of fractures.
- Minimally Invasive Techniques: New surgical tools allow for smaller cuts, preserving more of the surrounding tissue. This leads to less swelling and pain after surgery, and it lowers the risk of complications like jaw fractures.
- Sedation Dentistry: Improved sedation options, such as nitrous oxide and IV sedation, keep patients relaxed during the procedure. A calm patient is less likely to make involuntary movements, making the surgery smoother and safer.
When Jaw Fractures Can Occur?
Jaw fractures during wisdom tooth extraction are rare but can occur in certain situations. Following are some reasons why they might happen:
- Trauma During Extraction: If the wisdom tooth is deeply embedded or impacted in the jawbone, the procedure may require a lot of force to remove it. This external force could potentially cause a fracture, especially if the bone is weak or the jaw is manipulated too much.
- Inexperienced Surgical Technique: If the surgeon lacks experience or uses improper techniques, it can increase the risk of damaging the jawbone. It’s important to choose a skilled and experienced oral surgeon for the procedure.
- Excessive Mouth Opening: If a patient needs to keep their mouth wide open for a long time during the extraction, it could lead to jaw dislocation or fracture. This is especially true if the person has existing jaw problems or muscle spasms.
- Post-Surgical Complications: Rare complications like infections or poor healing can weaken the jaw, potentially leading to a fracture later on.
- Accidental Impact: If unexpected movement or an impact occurs during the procedure, such as from surgical tools, it could result in a jaw fracture.
Symptoms of Jaw Fracture After Tooth Extraction
After wisdom tooth removal, there are a few signs that could indicate a broken jaw, although this is very rare. Look out for the following symptoms:
- Severe Pain: Some pain after surgery is normal, but if the pain becomes sharp or gets worse, it could be a sign of a fracture.
- Difficulty Opening the Mouth: If you have trouble opening your mouth, this could suggest jaw problems and should be checked by a doctor.
- Unusual Jaw Movement: If your jaw moves differently or feels strange, or if you have trouble chewing, it might be a sign of a fracture.
- Swelling and Bruising: A lot of swelling or bruising around your jaw could mean trauma, possibly a fracture.
- Numbness or Tingling: If you feel numbness in your lower lip, chin, or tongue, it might be related to nerve damage from a fracture.
- Facial Deformity: In severe cases, a broken jaw can change the way your face looks.
- Ear Pain: Pain that spreads to your ear could also be linked to jaw problems after the extraction.
- Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing: Although rare, a broken jaw can make breathing or swallowing hard and requires immediate medical attention.
Final Thought
The question “Do they break your jaw to remove wisdom teeth?” is completely based on myths. With the advancements in dentistry, there are almost zero chances of this happening to anyone.
Visit our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Ahmad Millwala, at Katy Cypress Oral Surgery & Implant Center. Our doctor specializes in office-based procedures like tooth extractions, bone grafting, and the placement of dental implants. Dial (281) 667-0607 to book an appointment.