What is a Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
A Wisdom Teeth Extraction is a dental procedure aimed at removing one or more wisdom teeth, the four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of your mouth on the top and bottom. These extractions are often necessary when these teeth do not have enough room to emerge or develop normally, leading to potential pain, infection, or other dental problems.
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Bahmadi and associates can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and tell if there are present or future potential problems. This initial assessment is crucial for effective Wisdom Teeth Extraction, ensuring that selected cases are handled appropriately. If extraction is necessary, it will be performed at the office, otherwise, patients will be referred to a specialized oral surgeon.
Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment, such as considering Wisdom Teeth Extraction, result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in their mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Why should I have a Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully appear, a number of problems can happen. Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed before their root structure is fully developed. In some patients, it is as early as 12 or 13, and in others, it may not be until the early twenties.
Problems tend to occur with increasing frequency after the age of 30.
Some of the possible problems related to not removing your wisdom teeth include:
INFECTION
The most frequent clinical problem we see is pericoronitis, a localized gum infection. Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.
CYST FORMATION
Non-infectious diseases may also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled “balloons” inside the jaw bone that develop as a result of impacted teeth and slowly expand destroying adjacent jaw bone and occasionally teeth.
They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.
POSSIBLE CROWDING
Impacted wisdom teeth may contribute to crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable in the front teeth, primarily the lower front teeth and is most commonly seen after a patient has had braces. There are a number of factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces, or in early adulthood.
Retained, impacted wisdom teeth may be a contributing factor. Unless you have an active problem when you see the oral surgeon, the reason for removal is primarily to prevent long-term damage to your teeth, gums and jaw bone.
DAMAGE TO ADJACENT TEETH
If there is inadequate room to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected. This often leads to the accumulation of bacteria and plaque, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Inflammation and bone loss around the tooth may occur, compromising the health of the second molar.
Additionally, the difficulty in maintaining proper oral hygiene in this area can accelerate these problems, potentially leading to more serious dental issues.
