Notwithstanding their name, wisdom teeth do not make people wiser. Rather, whenever these late-stage molars emerge and crowd your existing teeth, they can be pretty painful. Worse still, there have been documented occurrences of wisdom teeth causing jaw alignment issues, lasting cavity damage, cysts, and sinus problems. Nonetheless, some people are lucky enough to avoid the frequent wisdom tooth symptoms and discomforts. For these fortunate individuals, the question is whether wisdom tooth removal is worthwhile. In this post, Wisdom Teeth Jasper specialist Dr. Eric Koch discusses some of the instances where this procedure is necessary and when you should dismiss it. Read on to find out more.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Not Be Removed?
For young folks, dental surgery has nearly become a rite of passage. However, contrary to common belief, and probably what many of your friends and family have told you- wisdom teeth extraction is not always required.
Being the 3rd set of molars, wisdom teeth typically emerge between the adolescent and teenage years. Your baby teeth will have fallen out by then, and the adult set will have taken their position. For most persons, this also implies there is not enough space for more teeth to emerge; hence, the sudden eruption of wisdom teeth becomes a concern.
Even so, there are circumstances whereby wisdom teeth removal is not necessary, including:
- When you have healthy wisdom teeth
- They are properly aligned with opposing teeth without altering your bite
- They have fully emerged or grown in
- You can easily clean and floss them
When Wisdom Teeth Are A Concern?
Often, wisdom teeth removal is necessary when they wreak havoc on the remainder of your teeth. This issue usually arises as they do not have enough room for development because of your existing teeth. Therefore, they may develop from different angles in your jaw, even horizontally.
Other prevalent issues associated with wisdom teeth development include:
- Emerging fully but at an angle; thus, causing crowding and damage to previously healthy neighboring teeth
- Partial emergence from the gums, making it difficult to clean them. This problem risks bacteria accumulation, which can eventually cause tooth decay or gum disease
- Remaining buried in the gums, ultimately becoming stuck or impacted within the jaw, resulting in abscess or infection that affects the teeth’s roots and deteriorates the jawbone
When Is It Appropriate To Get Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
For most persons, pain is the primary indication that their wisdom teeth require extraction. However, it is not the only sign that a wisdom tooth needs extraction. Other common signs and symptoms include recurrent infections in the soft tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth, tumors, cysts, bad breath, swollen gums, and damage to surrounding teeth.
Wisdom teeth extraction entails removing the troublesome teeth as well as repairing any neighboring damaged teeth. Blended with an x-ray to verify their growth and position, Dr. Eric Koch will prescribe wisdom teeth removal depending on the form of your mouth and the condition of your other teeth. This procedure is especially beneficial when these molars are still healthy in young adulthood, as jawbones become stronger with age and teeth become more difficult to remove.
Although having your wisdom teeth removed may not sound quite fun, it is often necessary to improve your dental health and prevent subsequent complications. Talk to Erick Koh, DDS, to determine if you are the right fit for wisdom teeth removal and request insight into what to expect with the procedure. Call the Jasper, TX office or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment today.
