SOUTH WALES SPECIALIST
ORAL SURGERY AND
DENTAL IMPLANT CENTRE
World-Class care. Quality team. Honest service.
Coronectomy
A coronectomy is a precise procedure requiring a high level of surgical skill
We are frequently trusted
by dentists and doctors
to treat them and their families
Wisdom teeth are usually the last tooth to erupt in to the mouth and because of this there is often not enough space for them to fit in. As a result they become wedged against the tooth in front or in the gum/bone behind the tooth. We call this "impacted" and impacted wisdom teeth trap food in places that we cannot reach with our toothbrush and floss to clean. If food is trapped there for a few days it starts to smell and cause bad breath. If it is trapped there for a few weeks it can start to cause inflammation of the gum which can lead to an infection. If it is trapped there for a few months it can start to cause decay in the wisdom tooth and the adjacent tooth. It can also cause gum disease or bone loss at the back of the tooth in front. These issues can worsen over time to eventually cause significant pain and infections plus loss of the adjacent molar. When we assess a wisdom tooth for removal we take an x-ray to look at the shape of its roots as well as their proximity to a nerve in your jaw called the "inferior alveolar nerve". If this 2-Dimensional x-ray shows that the roots may be intimately related to the nerve canal we then take a 3D X-ray, called a conebeam CT scan, to assess the exact relationship. If this 3D scan shows that the roots are intimately related to the nerve canal then if we were to remove the wisdom tooth it would likely leave the patient permanently numb on their lip and teeth on that side. In order to avoid this issue, but still correct the problem from the impacted wisdom tooth, we perform a "coronectomy" procedure. This involves carefully sectioning the tooth to leave the lower third of the roots in place. The body then heals around these roots and entombs them. This corrects the issue of food packing from the wisdom tooth but also reduces the risk of nerve damage to 0.0016%.
DON'T WAIT FOR PROBLEMS. It is very important to have your wisdom teeth assessed early for the benefit of your overall long-term oral health.
When should I have my wisdom teeth assessed?
As soon as you, or your dentist, become aware that the wisdom tooth is trying to erupt in to the mouth in a position that is not fully accessible for cleaning.
What is the best age to have them assessed?
The evidence is overwhelming that the ideal age to have wisdom teeth assessed for removal is between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age.
how do you assess wisdom teeth?
We look in your mouth to see if the position of the wisdom tooth is causing stagnation of food and plaque that is inaccessible for effective cleaning. We then take an X-ray to assess the anatomy of the roots of the wisdom tooth as well as their proximity to a nerve that lies in the jaw bone, called your inferior alveolar nerve. When this nerve is in close proximity on the 2-Dimensional X-ray we then take a 3D X-ray at the assessment appointment in order to be able to map the exact path of the nerve canal in relation to the roots of the wisdom tooth to aid safe management of the tooth. In cases where the the roots and nerve canal are in an intimate relationship we will advise a coronectomy procedure for safe management of the site.
how do you
perform a coronectomy?
A coronectomy requires a surgical approach which is commonly performed with a profound local anaesthetic. You would be aware of a little pressure and some vibration and water spray during the procedure, but no pain once you are all numbed up. As specialist oral surgeons we have dealt with thousands of wisdom teeth surgeries and know how to approach them in an efficient manner to keep surgery time for you to an absolute minimum which helps improve the surgical experience and recovery time.
I'm nervous of having SUrgery...
We are very aware that the idea of having wisdom tooth surgery can be stressful for people which is why we have worked hard to create as calm and relaxing environment at our clinic as possible. You will be able to watch a movie during the procedure and warm blankets will be provided to help keep you comfortable as you have your surgery. We also offer sedation for those patients who need something a little stronger to calm their nerves. To read more about our sedation service please click HERE.
why should I see a specialist and not my general dentist to have my wisdom teeth surgery?
Specialist oral surgeons have trained extensively in the art and science of safe and accurate management of wisdom teeth. Their advanced knowledge and experience in this field helps reduce surgery time as well as decreasing complications during and after surgery. Having performed thousands of hours of wisdom tooth-related surgery you can rest assured you will be in safe hands with any of our team of Specialist Oral Surgeons.
DO I need to be referred to come and see you?
No you do not. Although we do a lot of our wisdom teeth-related surgery for patients who have been referred to us by their dentist, You do not need to be referred to come and see us. Our specialist oral surgeons can be accessed directly without the need for a referral from your dentist. To arrange a consultation please contact us and we would be happy to assess whether or not it is sensible to intervene with your wisdom teeth rather than have you wait for future problems.