Wisdom teeth extraction involves removing one or more of the teeth of the third set of molars. This can be performed before the tooth erupts, after the tooth has grown in, or if the tooth becomes impacted, i.e., it has only partially erupted from the gums. Extraction may be recommended for a variety of reasons.
If the wisdom teeth are currently causing problems in the mouth, extraction is necessary. However, a dentist may recommend preventive wisdom teeth extraction when the patient is asymptomatic. Third molars that are not causing problems now may have the potential to do so in the future. Extracting the teeth pre-emptively can help prevent issues such as the following from ever developing.
The wisdom teeth are located in the very back of the mouth where it is difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss. Therefore, keeping them clean can be difficult. If these teeth are not cleaned properly, cavities and decay may develop. The risk is still greater if the teeth are only partially erupted, because cleaning becomes even more difficult.
When a tooth is decayed, it provides a route by which bacteria may reach the inner layers. Once there, the bacteria can cause an infection of the tooth or the tissues that surround it. For example, when the wisdom tooth only erupts partially, it can develop an operculum, which is soft tissue growth over the top of it. The operculum is vulnerable to bacteria getting trapped underneath it, resulting in an infection called pericoronitis.
Once there is an infection of the wisdom tooth or surrounding tissues, it can spread throughout the mouth. It can even extend beyond the mouth to affect other parts of the body if the bacteria get into the bloodstream.
Crowding occurs when there is not enough room in the mouth for new teeth to emerge, so the new tooth tries to push the existing teeth out of the way. This can affect the alignment of the existing teeth, causing them to become crooked and potentially affecting the bite. This may require orthodontics to correct or interfere with a course of orthodontics that is already in progress. The pressure from the new tooth can also cause damage to the others.
An impacted wisdom tooth can form a cyst, which is a sac within the jawbone that fills with fluid. It can also develop a tumor. It is rare for these tumors to be cancerous, but both benign tumors and cysts of the wisdom tooth can damage the teeth, nerves, and even the jawbone itself. If a cyst or tumor develops, it may be necessary to remove bone and other tissue to resolve the issue.
Pain from an impacted wisdom tooth can be excruciating. It may be better to have the wisdom teeth extraction performed when the patient is not experiencing any symptoms than to wait until there is serious discomfort.
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There is the potential for wisdom teeth that are asymptomatic now to cause issues in the future. It can be possible to avoid those issues altogether with preventive extraction.
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Unlike other teeth, wisdom teeth do not show up until you are around age 20. Some people get them as early as age 17, while other people may not see them erupt until age 25. In either case, these third molars can cause troubling issues cosmetically and for your oral health. Your dentist will examine…
If your wisdom teeth are coming in or are already impacted, you should talk to your dentist about removing them. Many patients have them extracted to avoid oral health problems such as infections or cysts. Gum disease is also common for people whose wisdom teeth are impacted. It is important for you to understand why…
Many dentists recommend that patients have their wisdom teeth, or the third set of molars, extracted during the teenage years. Wisdom teeth extraction is often recommended for patients whose teeth have been impacted or are causing problems such as crowding, gum inflammation, or pain in the mouth. Extraction can prevent complications for the gums, teeth,…