Wisdom
Teeth Extractions Wisdom
teeth, or third molars are the last permanent teeth to form and
move into the mouth. Wisdom teeth will usually emerge at around
16 to 18 years of age and be fully developed by the age of 22
or 23. This was assumed to be the "age of wisdom",
which is where the term wisdom teeth originated.
There
are usually four wisdom teeth, one in each rear corner of the
mouth. If the jaw bone is long enough, the wisdom teeth will
grow in with no resultant problems.
Problems Caused by Impacted Wisdom Teeth:
If the jawbone is not long enough, the wisdom teeth will
not have enough room to erupt and will become trapped inside
the jawbone. In this case, the wisdom teeth have become impacted.
Partially
erupted teeth are considered to be impacted. Naturally occurring
bacteria in the mouth can work their way down to the impacted
wisdom teeth, frequently causing infection in the surrounding
gums and bone. Repeated soreness around the wisdom teeth is often
mistaken as an effort of the wisdom teeth to erupt. This soreness,
however, could be a sign of infection. Surrounding bone, tooth
roots and adjacent teeth may be harmed if left untreated.

  
The
constant pressure from impacted wisdom teeth can also damage
adjacent teeth. You may not feel anything until significant damage
has occurred. This pressure may also push other teeth out of
line, possibly creating a need for orthodontic treatment.
Even
if you have no symptoms now, headaches, earaches, pain in the
face, neck, throat and upper and lower teeth can occur if impacted
wisdom teeth are not removed. Cysts can also develop around impacted
wisdom teeth. The sac or growth follicle that surrounds the developing
wisdom teeth may remain when the teeth are impacted. This sac
can fill with fluid and become cystic, destroying bone surrounding
adjacent molars. In rare instances, if the cyst is not treated,
a tumor may develop and more extensive procedures may be required
for removal.
Advantages
to Early Removal of Wisdom Teeth
Removing
impacted wisdom teeth early is usually a less involved procedure
than waiting until complications and pain develop. It is best
to remove the teeth before the roots are fully formed. As you
age, the roots will thicken and become more firmly anchored to
the jawbone. If you wait until your wisdom teeth cause you trouble,
chances of risks and complications are higher, and recovery may
not proceed as smoothly as when they are removed electively.

 

All
extractions are performed under anesthesia that is appropriate
for the patient in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.
Extractions
The removal of damaged, infected, or malposed (in the wrong position)
teeth falls into the oral surgeons area of expertise. The removal
of these teeth and the subsequent treatment of the bone and gum
tissue is called dental-alveolar surgery.
Impacted
Teeth
Not
all impacted teeth are wisdom teeth. Often cuspids and bicuspids
are impacted. At times these teeth will need to be exposed by
the oral surgeon and brought into position by the orthodontist.
|