Wisdom Teeth Done Properly?

[JoshLee]

I had a general dentist do my wisdom teeth extractions. I did not know that I should go to an oral surgeon, or even what the difference was at the time. Anyways, I had them done and during the long healing time i noticed blood coming from my left upper gum, so I checked it out with a flashlight. While I was looking through my mouth, I found the dentist made large insicions in my gum line about two teeth away from the extraction site. That was in the upper level wisdoms (which were under the skin still). While I was looking around i noticed insicions made into my cheeks. My face is still swollen after two weeks, and the incisions look like they might have cut into my cheek muscles afecting my jaw unable to open fully after 2 weeks. I can only open my mouth about 60 %. This is troubiling for me because i am a professional singer as well as a model. So I've been reading things about peoples faces not returning to normal after a year who used to have thin faces, and now their faces look normal, but less defined. My face looks normal at this point but is still swollen as its nearly as defined looking. Can someone please tell me if these incisions are normal, and if i should worry about the swelling???

[JoshLee]

Can you please tell me, are incisions into the cheek common? I went to an oral surgeon, but he actually knew the dentist, and wouldnt give me a straight answer if the incisions were correct...

[Michael H Kirsch, DDS]

Generally speaking, 99% of of all wisdom teeth surgery patient's have no swelling or lingering effects from their surgery within 7 days.   That being said, I am a Board Certified  Surgeon and have done tens of thousands of Wisdom teeth.

Like any other healthcare professional, some are better and more experienced than others.  This does not mean that your dentist necessarily did anything wrong.  In the US, all licensed dentists are permitted to extract teeth.  I know some dentists who extract teeth as well as surgeons.  I also know some that have given up extracting teeth all together.

I suggest you see an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon as soon as possible and allow them to objectively evaluate your healing and symptoms.

Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation.  This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.