Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually begin to erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 and are the final set of molars that most people get. While many will eventually have their wisdom teeth removed, not everyone needs to do so. Most dental professionals will recommend having oral surgery for wisdom teeth if you experience any of the following scenarios:
Your wisdom teeth do not fit in your mouth. Most people have 28 teeth before wisdom teeth erupt. Many do not have enough room in their jaw for 32 teeth and this may cause the wisdom teeth to become impacted. Impaction means that the teeth cannot fully erupt or they may become misaligned if they do. Oral surgery for wisdom teeth can help to prevent further complications in your jaw.
You experience chronic pain in your gums around your wisdom teeth. Pain in your gums can be an indication of infection. Infections are common around partially erupted wisdom teeth because food and bacteria get trapped in these areas. Having your wisdom teeth removed can help prevent further infection.
Your wisdom teeth do not come in straight. Often, wisdom teeth will not grow in straight and can possibly cause your teeth to shift and move over time. To prevent your teeth from moving, oral surgery for wisdom teeth is often recommended.
Your wisdom teeth are causing tooth decay to adjacent teeth. Wisdom teeth can be difficult to keep clean because of their location in the mouth. Flossing and brushing can be challenging and without good oral care, gum disease and tooth decay can develop. Wisdom tooth extractions can help to prevent tooth decay issues in surrounding teeth as well as the wisdom teeth.
The wisdom teeth typically appear in adults between the ages of 17 and 25. Not all people have a complete eruption of their wisdom teeth and many experience partial eruption or impaction that can cause pain or discomfort.
Prior to the surgery date, your doctor will discuss the procedure with you and let you know what to expect before, during, and after the extraction. On the day of your wisdom tooth extraction, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. You may also be given a general anesthetic, especially if all of your wisdom teeth will be removed at one time. The general anesthetic will prevent pain and will give you the illusion of having slept through the entire procedure.
To remove the wisdom teeth, your doctor will open the gum tissue around the tooth and remove any bone that is over the tooth. The whole tooth is then either extracted or cut into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove. After the tooth extraction, you may need stitches.
There are several factors that will affect how easy it is to remove the wisdom teeth. If the tooth has fully erupted, it is a similar procedure to a typical tooth extraction. However, if the tooth is fully impacted or if the teeth have not erupted through the gums, oral surgery for wisdom teeth may be more complicated.
The duration of your procedure depends on how many wisdom tooth extractions are needed. Usually, the procedure lasts about one to two hours.
If you need oral surgery for wisdom teeth, we can provide you with experience and expertise for this procedure. Call us today to schedule your consultation for wisdom tooth extractions.
