Wisdom Teeth
Some wisdom teeth may not have room
to grow properly, which can cause problems.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and last molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws and in most people they develop between the ages of 17-25. The number of wisdom teeth can vary between individuals but most people have four wisdom teeth.
Unfortunately the average person does not have enough room in their mouth to allow the wisdom teeth to come out properly, which in turn can lead to complications such as pain/infections, damage on the tooth next to it, gum/bone loss due to inability to clean and even develop cysts or tumors. Therefore it is very important to see your dentist routinely in order to identify any potential problems.
“But my wisdom teeth are not out and I don’t feel any pain or discomfort, do I really need to remove it?”
The removal of the wisdom teeth depends highly on the age of the patient, the development/location of the teeth and the risks involved by not removing it. Dentist usually assesses the wisdom teeth development in teenage patients to determine if and when the wisdom teeth need to be removed. Most of the wisdom teeth removals in teens or young adults are recommended before the complete development of the teeth or before the teeth comes out for the simple reason that it presents a lower risk of complications, better healing and eliminates any foreseeable problems in the future.
For adults over 30 years old, the risk of complications increases therefore your dentist would have to evaluate your case depending on the pros and cons related to the surgery.
Teeth Extractions
All extractions are performed under local anesthesia and most cases intravenous sedation is also required.
Learn More About Extractions