What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are located in the back of the mouth. Also known as the Third Molars, they are the last teeth to develop, generally between the ages of 15 and 20 years old.

Do wisdom teeth have to be removed?

If your dentist recognizes that you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to erupt properly, you may be advised to have them removed. Also, when the teeth are not functional or cannot be cleaned easily, the teeth are considered to be impacted, and the recommendation is to have them removed.

What are some common types of impacted wisdom teeth?

Soft tissue impacted – (the tooth remains totally or partially under the gum tissue and cannot be properly cleaned).

Partial bony impaction – (a portion of the tooth remains below the bone, proper cleaning is impossible).

Complete bony impaction – (the tooth remains totally below the jaw bone and requires advanced removal procedures).

What if the wisdom teeth are not removed?

If the impacted wisdom teeth are not removed, any number of complications may arise. These include:

Damage to other teeth – (As the wisdom teeth shift within the jaw bone, the health of the neighboring teeth can be compromised.)

Infection – (When the area surrounding the wisdom tooth cannot be cleaned, an infection may develop, harming the gum tissue and causing cavities.)

Cyst – (A fluid-filled space, called a cyst, forms in the jaw bone around the impacted tooth, causing damage to the bone.)

Crowding – (Wisdom teeth can push neighboring teeth together causing crowding, which jeopardizes both the health of the teeth and previous orthodontic treatment.)

How will I feel after surgery?

Post-operative instructions will be discussed after surgery. Although each patient responds to surgery differently, you should expect a recovery period of two to four days. You may experience drowsiness, swelling, and some discomfort during the first three days. By the third or fourth day, you should be able to resume some of your normal activities.

In the field of dentistry, technological advancements have improved the ease and efficiency of many dental procedures including oral surgery. Make plans to discuss the ways that our Plano dentist can make your wisdom teeth procedure a pleasant experience.