Can a Person Die from Having Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Updated on September 9, 2023

What are the chances of dying from wisdom teeth removal? And how many people have died from wisdom teeth removal?

The risk of dying from wisdom teeth removal is extremely low. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the wisdom teeth death rate is less than one in 50,000 cases.

So your chances of dying from wisdom teeth removal is considered to be a rare occurrence.

The most common complications of wisdom teeth removal are pain, swelling, and bleeding. There may be complications such as infection or nerve damage in some cases. However, these complications are usually treatable and rarely have serious long-term consequences.

It’s important to note that the risk of complications can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the extraction, the patient’s age and overall health, and the experience and skill of the dental professional performing the procedure. To minimize the risk of complications, it’s important to choose a qualified and experienced dental professional and to follow all post-operative instructions carefully.

While the tooth extraction death rate is low, the procedure is generally considered safe. It is a common dental procedure performed on millions of people every year.

Unfortunately, this was not the case with Sydney Gallager. Sydney was just 17 years old when this happened to her. She was a healthy 17-year-old on the swim team and enjoyed skiing. After having her wisdom teeth removed, she incurred seizures and didn’t have a pulse. She was unresponsive and didn’t have a heartbeat.

A week after the procedure, she was declared brain-dead in the hospital. Sydney’s parents filed a wrongful death suit against the oral surgeon. There were many allegations in that death suit. It was alleged that the dentist did not respond properly to the emergency. It was also alleged that the anesthesia was administered incorrectly and that there wasn’t proper monitoring during the procedure. Her parents settled for over 1 million. The dentist to perform the procedure did not admit to any wrongdoing. However, his license was temporarily suspended and then reinstated.

This is definitely a rare occurrence, but it is important to know that death and cardiac arrest can happen during a procedure with dental anesthesia. The American Dental Association recommends guardians and parents always inquire whether or not a child will be conscious or unconscious during a dental procedure.

They also recommend you inquire whether the anesthetist has up-to-date training. In addition, they advise that you discuss any concerns about the procedure. This includes during the procedure and afterward. That’s because complications can be triggered just by having wisdom teeth removed.

When this happened to Sydney, it was unknown whether she had a hidden heart condition. But a week after the procedure, she was in the hospital suffering from brain swelling and seizures and had to have surgery. Brain surgery was performed to release pressure on the brain.

Just about everyone has known somebody who had wisdom teeth removed. This type of news is not only tragic, it’s downright scary, but unusual things such as this one do crop up about every two years. Two years before this happened to Sydney, another teen had died from having their wisdom teeth removed.

This death was caused by oxygen deprivation while under anesthesia. According to the American Journal of Public Health, most deaths that occur when wisdom teeth are removed happen in healthy people. In addition, the American Journal of Public Health reports that these incidents are typically related to general anesthesia or IV sedation. Over 4 million Americans have their wisdom teeth removed every year. The experts aren’t sure about how many people die from this procedure. However, it is reported that approximately one in 355,000 patients suffer a brain injury or death while being sedated for oral surgery. The OMS National Insurance has collected this statistic.

Other experts state wisdom teeth can be removed without general anesthesia or IV sedation. It is also important to note that wisdom teeth removal can lead to excessive bleeding. Most experts agree that dying from having wisdom teeth removed is a very low risk. Many young and healthy people get their wisdom teeth removed. And they have it done without incident. But even one death is one too many.  Having the wisdom teeth removed is usually done as a preventative measure, just like an appendectomy.

Some experts feel that if there are legitimate reasons to have wisdom teeth removed, then they should be removed. Still, they feel wisdom teeth should be removed with a local anesthetic, not IV sedation or anesthesia. People should not put themselves at risk. And there was always some level of risk with surgery. Also, it is important to note that the risk of wisdom tooth removal does increase after one turns 25. People should always consider the risk when considering wisdom tooth removal.

Losing a spouse or child due to having wisdom teeth removed is devastating. Nobody expects it to happen. If this should happen to you, contact a law firm with experience in these cases. They will assist you in letting you know whether or not you are entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

They also have a team of medical experts for testimony. Winning a lawsuit is always an uphill battle. That’s why you need an experienced attorney in your corner. An attorney can help you get justice for your loved one and family.

In a case as serious as this, it is never wise to try and do it on your own. You can be sure that the defendant will have an experienced attorney and a whole team of medical experts of their own to challenge you. And likely, the defendant is not going to admit to any wrongdoing. Be sure to hire your attorney for the best outcome and get the compensation you deserve with an attorney on your side.

For a comprehensive understanding and expert advice on the procedure and aftercare, it’s always good to check trusted sources on wisdom tooth removal.

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.