Decrowning
Decrowning is a dental surgical procedure involving the removal of gum tissue under local anesthesia to assist the eruption of a wisdom molar. This procedure is performed when the eruption is hindered by the gum, bone, or another tooth.
Decrowning is performed in the following two cases:
- When the wisdom molar is still covered only by the gum.
- When the position of the molar is correct, vertical on the dental arch, allowing it to erupt without affecting the adjacent teeth in any way.
When Should a Patient See the Dentist for Decrowning?
A patient should consult the dentist for decrowning when experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
- intense pain or even the inability to open the mouth
- excessive salivation
- halitosis (bad breath)
- inflammation of local lymph nodes
How Is Decrowning Performed?
Under local anesthesia, the dentist makes an incision in the gum and removes the part of the gum covering the wisdom molar. Subsequently, the dentist irrigates the wound with an antiseptic solution and applies a gauze with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory solutions.
After the intervention, the patient should visit the dentist for three consecutive days to have the area cleaned, disinfected, and receive antibiotic application. It is crucial for the patient to follow all the dentist’s recommendations, refrain from smoking, and avoid consuming dairy products for a few days to prevent infections or other complications.