The third molars in our jaw are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth. They are usually the last teeth to develop and, if we have any, are located in the back of our mouth, behind the second molars. Their development usually takes place between the middle teens and early twenties, a time traditionally associated with maturity and the attainment of wisdom, hence the nickname wisdom teeth. Interesting to note is that not everyone develops wisdom teeth and sometimes they develop, erupt and never cause an issue.
WHO SHOULD HAVE WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?
In a large percentage of the population, there is a lack of space in our mouth to accommodate these third molars. Sometimes a wisdom tooth fails to erupt properly and becomes “stuck” in the jaw or behind the second molar, this is referred to as an impacted tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth may cause some of the following problems, and therefore removal is recommended:
Trapped food between crowded teeth
Infection in the surrounding gums
Dental decay
Abscess of impacted or surrounding teeth
Pain, often radiating through the jaw and head
Headaches
Formation of cysts or tumors
Damage to previous dental or orthodontic work
EARLY REMOVAL OF PROBLEM WISDOM TEETH
Early removal of impacted wisdom teeth, often during the teenage years, reduces some of the risks associated with dental surgery due to the jaw bone being softer in our younger years. Delayed surgical removal of wisdom teeth, beyond age 21, generally tends to increase the risks involved with removal and increases the recovery time after the procedure. The older we get, the more complicated wisdom teeth removal surgery can become. Having your dentist monitor your child’s teeth and jaw development as they grow is a proactive approach to managing any potential orthodontic or wisdom teeth problems.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL, THE PROCEDURE
In most cases, we can offer wisdom teeth removal to our patients in the familiar comfort of our Groove Dental office in Edmonton. Generally, removing one or more wisdom teeth is a common and straightforward procedure and is usually completed within a couple of hours. Once the patient is sedated, the problem tooth or teeth are removed and, after a short, monitored recovery in the office, our patient is supplied with a wound care kit, pain management tools, and comprehensive instructions to optimize healing and minimize discomfort over the following few days. All dental services provided by a general dentist.
