Wisdom teeth, also called the third molars, often cause concerns with oral health, lead to pain, or do not allow for proper spacing to occur. While many individuals can wait until after they are adults to have wisdom teeth removed, a dental professional may recommend early removal for teenagers in certain situations.
Reasons wisdom teeth removal may be necessary for teenagers
may be necessary for teenagers who have cavities on their wisdom teeth, experience tooth pain, develop an oral infection, or are going through orthodontic treatment. This review discusses when wisdom teeth removal may be recommended for teenagers by a licensed dental professional.
Prevention of oral health concerns
Dental professionals often recommend wisdom teeth removal as a way to prevent concerns from developing. This is especially the case for teenagers who have impacted wisdom teeth that have not grown all the way through the gums in a proper way. Sometimes a dental professional may recommend wisdom teeth removal if X-rays show that the wisdom teeth are likely to grow sideways or crooked, even if there are no notable symptoms at the moment.
Cavity on the wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth that are damaged by cavities are often removed. While a filling or root canal therapy may be an option, it is often best to simply have the wisdom teeth extracted; they do not typically serve an important purpose for the individual’s ability to chew.
Wisdom teeth pain
Wisdom teeth pain can occur for a multitude of reasons. From teeth pushing up against one another to oral infections, anytime wisdom teeth pain occurs, it should not be ignored. If treating the cause of the pain is more trouble than it is worth, then it may be best to simply have the wisdom teeth removed.
An oral infection
An oral infection can develop after wisdom teeth break through the gums, particularly if bacteria accumulate toward the root of the tooth. Dental professionals can treat oral infections in multiple ways, including through root canal therapy or antibiotics. However, it may be best to have the wisdom teeth removed to prevent future concerns.
Damage to nearby teeth
Teeth surrounding the wisdom teeth can become damaged due to wisdom teeth breaking through the gums. For example, wisdom teeth may push up against molars and increase the risk of cavities in the hard-to-reach areas of the molars. In this case, the wisdom teeth may need to be removed.
Orthodontic considerations
The teenage years are often the best years for orthodontic treatment. However, the treatment process often involves the removal of wisdom teeth to ensure overcrowded teeth have enough room inside the jaw to shift properly.
Learn more about wisdom teeth removal for teenagers from our team
If you or your child is experiencing concerns with their wisdom teeth, then contact our practice today. We can examine each wisdom tooth to determine if wisdom tooth removal is necessary or if there are alternative ways to deal with the concerns you or your child are experiencing.
Request an appointment here: https://spectrumsurgical.net or call Facial Spectrum at (816) 524-4334 for an appointment in our Lee's Summit office.
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