Wisdom Teeth Removal

The wisdom teeth, as they are commonly referred to, are the last posterior teeth to develop and erupt inside the mouth. They are called “wisdom” teeth because they come in during the later teenage years when people are said to be growing in wisdom. While it is typical for everyone to grow 32 permanent teeth, the jaw is often not large enough to accommodate the last four teeth that develop. The lack of space can cause huge issues inside the mouth, making wisdom teeth removal a necessary procedure.

One of the main reasons that people have such trouble with their wisdom teeth coming in is that there is such a long gap between the other teeth coming in and then the wisdom teeth coming in – sometimes up to four years later. The mouth has become unaccustomed to teeth erupting, and it has settled into a nice, permanent shape. This is especially true if orthodontic treatment has been done on the mouth, and the teeth are in their desired positons. When the wisdom teeth try to push their way into a mouth that has no room for them, serious problems can occur.

• Infection – swelling and infection of the gums can cause significant pain and have a negative impact on chewing functions.
• Damage to other teeth – when pain exists around a tooth, it makes cleaning adjacent teeth more difficult. These leaves multiple teeth susceptible to decay.
• Crowding – wisdom teeth can undo years of expensive orthodontics, causing the permanent teeth to move and shift into unwanted positions to accommodate the wisdom teeth. This is the most common reason for preventive removal of wisdom teeth.

The best time to extract wisdom teeth is before their root systems have time to fully develop. Because these teeth do not develop along the same time table as the other teeth, their roots are usually shallow and easily extracted. Having the wisdom teeth removed sooner rather than later also allows for a quicker and easier recovery.

At Crabapple Dental, we are here for all your dental health needs. We take the time to fully educate our patients on the necessity for any procedure so that they feel in control and at ease. We are committed to providing exceptional care. Please contact us today.