There is no golden rule that makes it compulsory for you to have your wisdom teeth removed, but most people have at least one of them taken out at some point in their lives. The wisdom teeth, which are the third set of molars, usually begin to erupt around the ages of 17 to 25.
Common reasons people need to have one of their wisdom teeth removed include:
This article will explore the potential issues that can develop when wisdom teeth are not extracted.
Some people have smaller mouths that do not have enough space for all the wisdom teeth to erupt properly. When the third set of molars erupt, they typically overcrowd surrounding teeth. The person's teeth will begin to shift and overlap each other as a result.
This risk becomes even more of a concern if the patient has already received orthodontic treatment. For such a person, the overcrowding can lead to all that work being undone.
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it becomes trapped underneath the gums. This can lead to toothaches and leave the tooth vulnerable to infection and decay. The impacted tooth can also lead to the resorption or deterioration of healthy teeth close to it.
In rare cases, the growth of a back molar can interfere with the person's ability to open and close their mouth correctly. This is usually due to the growth of the tooth being parallel to the jawline.
Pain coming from the back of the jaw is one of the early symptoms of an impacted tooth. X-rays are taken to evaluate the patient and determine if an extraction is needed.
The location of wisdom teeth already makes them challenging to clean, but it becomes much harder when the tooth does not grow in correctly.
Special attention needs to be paid to the wisdom teeth during brushing and flossing sessions to ensure that food particles and bacteria are removed from the area. When a wisdom tooth has been severely damaged by decay, dentists typically opt to extract it since that is often cheaper than other treatments and more importantly, it eliminates the possibility of other issues developing in the future.
When a tooth has been severely damaged by tooth decay to the point that the contents of the pulp chamber are now exposed to the saliva and bacteria in the mouth, an infection is virtually inevitable if the decay is not treated.
A root canal can be performed to treat an infected wisdom tooth, but dentists usually advice against this since the cost can be high and the tooth can still develop other issues down the road. Extraction is typically recommended for such patients.
Dealing with a wisdom tooth that is causing pain or discomfort? Stop by our clinic for an assessment and treatment.
Request an appointment here: https://spectrumsurgical.net or call Facial Spectrum at (816) 524-4334 for an appointment in our Lee's Summit office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Small dental implants are a unique alternative to traditional dental implants. They are quickly becoming more popular and are more often recommended by dentists for patients who seek teeth replacement. It is helpful to understand exactly what small dental implants are in order to decide if they are right for you.The best way to determine…
Using Botox® for TMJ disorder is a common practice that more and more dental professionals are implementing into their TMJ disorder treatment plans. Many are surprised to learn that TMJ specialists are considered dental professionals, however, they happen to correlate and there is a lot of crossover between dentistry and treating TMJ disorders.The use of…
Your oral surgeon will recommend the right oral surgery for your needs. Each treatment corrects a specific issue and can enhance your oral health in different ways. Knowing these procedures can prepare you well for the next visits. Here are the common oral surgery procedures and how they can benefit you.The oral surgeon will recommend…
Dental implants are the gold standard of dental replacements. Titanium rods and porcelain crowns are the most stable dental replacements you can get. Once osseointegration ends, you will have a strong, stunning smile again. Knowing the advantages of dental implants can motivate you to see your dentist about getting these restorations. Here are the three…
Small dental implants are a unique alternative to traditional dental implants. They are quickly becoming more popular and are more often recommended by dentists for patients who seek teeth replacement. It is helpful to understand exactly what small dental implants are in order to decide if they are right for you.The best way to determine…
Using Botox® for TMJ disorder is a common practice that more and more dental professionals are implementing into their TMJ disorder treatment plans. Many are surprised to learn that TMJ specialists are considered dental professionals, however, they happen to correlate and there is a lot of crossover between dentistry and treating TMJ disorders.The use of…