Not every patient needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. Only patients with clear indications that their wisdom teeth are causing problems in their mouth or that they will cause future issues need to undergo wisdom teeth extractions.
It is true that oral surgeons recommend removing most patients' wisdom teeth in their late teens or early twenties. The wisdom teeth are easier to remove before full root formation, and an earlier removal surgery tends to cause fewer complications. Still, if a patient’s wisdom teeth have fully erupted and are cleansible, their removal is not always necessary.
Our oral surgeon (Dr. Abel) removes wisdom teeth on a case-by-case basis. He performs a complete medical & dental evaluation in our office that includes assessing the effects of your wisdom teeth on your present and future oral health.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are called the “third molars.” They grow at the back of your jaw, behind the first and second molars. The third molars received the name "wisdom teeth" because they generally erupt between 17 to 25 years of age—the “age of wisdom.”
Wisdom teeth were useful in earlier periods of human history when our diets were tougher and our jaws were larger. However, most patients today do not have room in their mouths for a third set of molars. Many patients develop problems with their wisdom teeth that indicate the need for removal.
Reasons For Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
Impacted Teeth
When there is insufficient room to emerge, the wisdom teeth become trapped below the gumline in the jawbone. This situation is called “impaction.” Teeth may be fully or partially impacted.
A fully impacted tooth has not erupted. The jawbone surrounds it. A partially impacted tooth emerges above the gumline but cannot erupt completely into a functional position.
Impacted teeth may sit in the jaw at an angle relative to the existing erupted teeth, ranging from slightly tilted to lying flat on their sides. The greater the degree of impaction, the more likely an oral surgeon will recommend extraction.
Dental Cysts
Impacted wisdom teeth sometimes develop dental cysts. These fluid-filled cysts can expand, damaging neighboring teeth's roots. Cysts can also damage the underlying bone.
Partial Eruption
A partially erupted wisdom tooth may emerge partially from the gumline but can easily trap food debris & bacteria causing pain, infection, and gum disease.
Crowding Or Damaging Other Teeth
Wisdom teeth can exert significant pressure on their neighbors, making it more likely that these neighboring teeth will erupt into undesirable positions. The neighboring teeth may also be more prone to fracture as well.
High Likelihood of Future Problems
A general dentist or oral surgeon can examine a patient’s x-rays and determine whether the patient’s wisdom teeth will likely cause future issues like crowding, pain, and infection.
Call Manchester Oral Surgery
If a general dentist has informed you that your wisdom teeth need to come out or if you are experiencing any problems associated with your wisdom teeth, we can help you. Please call our convenient Manchester, NH, office at 603-622-9441 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Abel.