Fractured Jaw Caused by Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction is a fairly common procedure, but it is classified as a type I minor surgery. There have been numerous cases of serious complications following the removal of the eighth tooth, often due to improper procedure, lack of experience, or insufficient skill on the part of the dentist. These complications can significantly affect the patient’s overall health.

Herident Dental Clinic has received many complicated complication cases after wisdom tooth extraction at other dental facilities. Among them, in February 2023, the Clinic received the case of Mr. Nguyễn Văn Đ. from Da Nang city, who suffered a jaw fracture after a wisdom tooth extraction at another dental clinic. Herident Dental Clinic, in collaboration with Hanoi Medical University Hospital, successfully treated Mr. Đ.

According to the patient's account, he previously visited a private clinic for a wisdom tooth extraction and was advised to extract teeth #28 and #38. However, after the extraction, the patient experienced significant pain and swelling in the area of the #38 extraction site. He was prescribed antibiotics and pain relievers.

Despite following the prescribed medication from the clinic, two weeks later, the patient developed pus drainage from the #38 extraction site, which lasted for over a month. The patient was referred to Herident Dental Clinic by an acquaintance for further evaluation. Upon examination, the clinic's dentists took an X-ray and discovered that the patient had suffered a jaw fracture through the extraction socket of tooth #38. The patient mentioned that when the wisdom tooth was extracted at the previous clinic, only a small X-ray was taken, which showed only two teeth. As a result, the dentists were unable to fully assess the complex condition of the tooth, leading to the complications.

After the examination, due to the complex jaw fracture, Herident Dental Clinic contacted and arranged for the patient to be transferred to Hanoi University of Medicine Hospital for further treatment.

Immediately after, the patient underwent the necessary pre-surgical procedures and was transferred to the Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department, where the surgery was performed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

The surgery was directly performed by Dr. Dang Trieu Hung – Deputy Head of the Department of Odonto-Stomatology at Hanoi Medical University Hospital and Clinical Advisor at Herident Dental Clinic. Dr. Hung explored the fracture line of the left mandibular angle and, together with his team, decided to fix the jawbone using a surgical plate. The patient has now fully recovered, is eating normally, and has no lasting complications.

According to Dr. Hùng, mandibular fractures can result from various causes, including traffic accidents, domestic accidents, or improper force applied during wisdom tooth extraction.

Patients with a mandibular fracture typically present with symptoms such as malocclusion following the trauma, swelling, and pain in the lower jaw area. Other signs may include sharp pain when pressure is applied to the fracture line, disruption of the bony contour, and numbness in the lower lip. A mandibular fracture can also lead to pain in front of the ear, swelling, limited mouth opening due to jaw stiffness, and deviation of the jaw to one side when opening the mouth.

The treatment of mandibular fractures typically involves a soft diet, stabilization of the upper and lower jaws, and in some cases, open surgery for secure fixation. Adhering to a proper diet and avoiding hard foods can significantly aid in the healing process and improve recovery outcomes.

Treatment Methods

Currently, there are two common treatment methods for mandibular fractures:

• Orthopedic Treatment
• Surgical Treatment

The reduction and stabilization of a mandibular fracture are essential for restoring both functional and aesthetic outcomes of the oral and maxillofacial region. Proper alignment of the bone fragments minimizes the risk of long-term complications.

The main objectives of mandibular fracture treatment

• The treatment of mandibular fractures focuses on restoring both function and aesthetics in the maxillofacial region. Correctly re-establishing the bite (occlusion) and ensuring proper functions such as eating, speaking, swallowing, and mouth opening and closing are crucial for the patient to return to normal daily activities.In addition, aesthetic recovery of the maxillofacial region is equally important, as it helps the patient feel more confident in social interactions and improves their overall psychological well-being.
• The treatment of mandibular fractures not only helps restore function but also plays a crucial role in improving the aesthetics and psychological well-being of the patient. Therefore, it is essential for patients to seek advice and treatment from experienced specialists to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.

The treatment requirements include the following steps:

Reduction of the Fractured Bone The process of bone reduction aims to reposition the bone ends to their correct position, helping to restore the structure and function of the bone.

Stabilization of the fractured bone: After the bone has been reduced, stabilizing the fractured bone using plates, screws, or other fixation methods is essential to keep the bone stable and support the healing process.

Preventing complications: After treating a bone fracture, it is essential to monitor and care for the patient to prevent potential complications, such as infection, osteomyelitis (bone infection), or improper bone healing.

Properly following treatment protocols and closely monitoring the patient after treatment are crucial to ensure the most effective recovery. This also helps to avoid complications or issues arising from the injury.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a common minor surgery in dentistry; however, the tooth structure varies from person to person, so patients usually need to undergo detailed X-ray imaging before a treatment plan is made. The method or technique for tooth extraction also depends on the dentist's experience. Using appropriate force during the procedure can help avoid unnecessary trauma.

At Herident Dental Clinic, advanced and modern facilities make examinations and treatments smoother, faster, and more effective with the GENORAY PAPAYA 3D Plus X-ray machine.

The GENORAY PAPAYA 3D Plus X-ray machine is a 3-in-1 digital dental CT system. This product features many outstanding capabilities, marking a breakthrough in dental CT imaging technology.

In addition, the team of doctors at the clinic is directly trained in the Department of Stomatology, Hanoi Medical University, under the guidance of a panel of highly specialized dental experts, ensuring the quality of treatment and providing peace of mind for patients when visiting Herident Dental Clinic.

Contact us now via our Hotline or visit our clinic directly for a detailed consultation and examination!