Why Choose Chinook Dental Group?
Four Dental Specialties
Receive comprehensive care for four dental specialties.
Appointments Available
Receive timely care and schedule immediate appointments.
No Judgement Services
Receive dental care without feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable.
Dr. Choo-Soon Kua, DDS, FRCDC
Certified Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Kua is a Certified Specialist in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery born and raised in Calgary. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary in 2008. Dr. Kua obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery from The University of Western Ontario in 2012. Following completion of his doctorate, Dr. Kua practiced general dentistry in Calgary and Bowden Correctional Institution for two years before being accepted into and completing his specialty training in Oral & Maxillofacial
Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. His residency consisted of rotations in anaesthesia, general surgery, otolaryngology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and critical care medicine. He is trained in all aspects of IV sedation, complex dentoalveolar surgery, dental implants, bone grafting, oral and maxillofacial pathology, and non-surgical temporomandibular joint disorders.
Dr. Kua is excited to offer a broad range of oral and maxillofacial surgery services to Calgary and surrounding areas.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Complicated Extractions
The wisdom teeth, or the third molars, emerge later in your life when you have more “wisdom”, usually in your teens or early twenties. While some are lucky to have their wisdom teeth come out properly, most encounter problems with them.
In many cases, these teeth do not have enough room to emerge in proper alignment with the rest of your teeth. This is known as impaction. This can lead to various issues such as crowding, periodontal disease, infection, decay, and cyst or tumour development. When these extractions involve more complicated surgical procedures such as bone removal and tooth sectioning, they are classified as complicated extractions.
What Makes a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Complicated?
Several factors can complicate a wisdom tooth removal, turning a routine simple tooth extraction to a more complex surgical procedure.
These factors include:
- Level of Impaction – A tooth can be partially or fully impacted depending on how much of it is covered in bone or gums.
- Proximity to Nerves and Sinuses – Sometimes, lower wisdom teeth can be located near sensory nerves and upper wisdom teeth can be close to the maxillary sinuses. This requires delicate care to reduce the risk of nerve damage or sinus involvement.
- Curved or Irregular Roots – Some wisdom teeth have more complex root anatomy, making them more difficult to extract.
- Angle of the Tooth – A wisdom tooth can be angled in different orientations including against other teeth, bone and important anatomical structures which may increase complexity of the procedure.
- Presence of Cysts or Tumours – Cysts or tumours that grow around the wisdom tooth also need to be removed along with it, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the procedure.
Signs You May Need a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Not every wisdom tooth requires removal, but several signs may indicate extraction is necessary:
- Difficulty cleaning and bleeding around the back teeth
- Persistent pain or discomfort in the back of your mouth
- Swelling of the gums or jaw
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Crowding or shifting of other teeth
- Recurring infection near the wisdom tooth area
- Cysts or tumours around the wisdom tooth, as detected by X-rays
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, a consultation with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon is essential for the timely removal of your problematic wisdom tooth before further complications arise.
Process of Complicated Wisdom Tooth Extraction
At Chinook Dental Group, our experienced dental team ensures each step of a complicated wisdom tooth extraction is handled with precision and care. Here’s how the process usually goes:
- Pre-surgery Consultation – During the initial assessment, we will take X-rays or 3D scans to determine the exact position of your wisdom tooth and surrounding structures in order to analyze how to best remove it.
- Sedation and Anaesthesia – On the surgery day, you will receive either local anaesthesia or intravenous sedation to ensure a painless surgical experience. Your options will be discussed by your surgical team during the consultation.
- Surgical Removal – The oral surgeon will begin by making an incision over your gum and removing some bone to expose the impacted tooth. The tooth may be sectioned to smaller pieces to facilitate removal. Once removed, stitches are put in place to close the wound and promote healing.
Contact Us To Book An Appointment
Some wisdom tooth extractions can be complicated, but with an experienced team, the process is managed carefully, from consultation to recovery. At Chinook Dental Group, our team is committed to providing expert care with your safety and comfort in mind.
If you are concerned about your wisdom tooth, book an appointment today and let us help you understand if removal is recommended.
