Seems like just about everyone has his or her wisdom teeth removed. But is it absolutely necessary for you to do so? The short answer to that question is it depends. Wisdom tooth removal is often recommended when there isn’t enough room in your jaw for them to grow in properly. In this case, wisdom teeth can cause real problems. The dentists at Central Dental Associates will be able to help you decide whether or not wisdom teeth extraction is the correct treatment option for your smile and healthy mouth.
Wisdom Teeth are Relics of a Time Passed
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are located far back in our mouths. Prehistoric man needed these teeth to eat roughage and tough meats. And their jaws were large enough to accommodate these rather large teeth. Over the millennia, however, our jaws have gotten smaller and most people’s mouths simply cannot accommodate wisdom teeth.
Do Some People Keep Their Wisdom Teeth?
Yes, but not many. Wisdom teeth extraction may not be necessary if these teeth are healthy, grow in completely, are correctly positioned, and can be properly cleaned with regular brushing and flossing. There are other people whose wisdom teeth never develop or who have one, two or three wisdom teeth rather than the typical four.
The Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Aside from the fact that your jaw is probably too small to accommodate the large size of wisdom teeth, there are other reasons for extraction. These include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth that remain entirely below the gum line, which makes them targets for infection
- Partially erupted wisdom teeth that are hard to keep clean and can lead to the spread of gum disease and tooth decay
- Wisdom teeth that are pressing on adjacent teeth because they don’t have enough room to erupt through the gums
Removing Wisdom Teeth in Norwood
Your wisdom teeth removal surgery will be entirely completed in our office where you already feel comfortable. The procedure usually takes no more than one hour to remove four wisdom teeth. How the dentist chooses to extract the teeth will depend on whether your wisdom teeth are impacted, partially erupted or fully erupted. In any case, your comfort and safety are our #1 concern. At the conclusion of surgery, your gum tissue is stitched and clean pads of gauze are placed over the surgical sites to stanch the bleeding.
Contact Our Office Today
If you have questions about wisdom tooth extraction, or if you’d like to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists to find out if you have wisdom teeth that need to be removed, then call Central Dental Associates.