Dental Conditions
Wisdom Teeth - Why are They Often so Troublesome?
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last of the teeth to erupt. And usually, they're the most troublesome. By the time they grow in - typically between the ages of 15-25 - the teeth are already crowded in the mouth, leaving little room for four additional molars.
When a wisdom tooth doesn't have room to grow in properly, it becomes impacted; this means that it's wedged against the adjacent teeth, surrounding bone or soft tissue. Left untreated, an impacted wisdom tooth can be trouble-free. However, it's more likely that it will develop any of a wide range of problems, which could include:
Infection Jaw pain and stiffness Periodontal disease and tooth decay Tumors and cysts Damage to the adjacent second molarsEarly removal of wisdom teeth is often recommended to avoid these problems altogether. It's just not a good idea to wait until the areas surrounding the impacted teeth become swollen or painful.
Typically, we track wisdom tooth development with the help of X-rays. Then, if we determine that the troublesome third molars won't grow in to an acceptable position, we'll recommend their removal.
How are wisdom teeth removed?Removing impacted wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure. First, the gums over the tooth are removed, and the connective tissue attached to the tooth is peeled back. The tooth is then carefully removed, and the gum is sutured (stitched).
We will evaluate your situation to determine the proper level of anesthesia, so that you will be completely comfortable throughout the procedure - both physically and emotionally. We can also prescribe a sedative for you to help you relax if you are particularly nervous about the procedure.
You'll need to take a few days off work or school to allow yourself time to recover. Wear comfortable, loose clothing, and arrange for someone to drive you home following surgery. We'll provide you with specific post-operative instructions after the extraction has been completed, and we'll see you for a follow-up visit about a week after the surgery to make sure the extraction site is healing well.
Why isn't there enough room for my wisdom teeth? Thousands of years ago, early humans had large, powerful jaws. As they evolved, and learned to use crude blades and fire to prepare and cook their food, the workload of their jaws was lightened. Consequently, through the course of evolution, the human jaw has decreased in size, but the number of teeth remains the same. So when it's time for the wisdom teeth to make their appearance, there's usually just not enough room to accommodate them properly.