Be Smart About Your Wisdom Teeth

Third molars, which are our four rearmost molars, were indispensable when humans subsisted on roots, nuts and raw meat.But our diets have radically changed since then, and we don’t necessarily need them. They were dubbed “wisdom teeth” because they erupt between the ages of 17 and 21—a period that’s supposed to be the “age of wisdom.” These days, though, it’s wise to monitor the progress of their eruption. They can cause trouble in a variety of ways and may need to be removed by an oral surgeon. 

At the office of Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery, we are experts at removing wisdom teeth as well as any other kind of oral and maxillofacial surgery. We guide our patients through their diagnoses, treatments and post-treatments with skill and compassion. 

Ignoring your wisdom teeth is, well, not wise. They must be monitored early on to assess their positions and conditions. If a mouth hasn’t enough room to let them grow in and be properly maintained, they could become infected, damage neighboring teeth and disrupt the proper positions of some or all of the existing teeth. Extraction is recommended when one or more wisdom teeth have been deemed a source of crowding. 

Many people have at least one wisdom tooth that becomes impacted, meaning that itbecomes partially or fully trapped in the gum or jawbone. Its asymmetrical position makes it prone to cavities, disease and infection, all of which are excellent reasons to have it surgically removed.

Wisdom teeth in younger patients are easier to remove because the surrounding bone is softer and the roots have yet to grow deep. Those factors make the surgery less complicated and the recovery faster. Extraction at an early age also minimizes the risk of damaging nearby nerves. 

Even when third molars enter the mouth correctly and with no evidence of disease or cavities, people must be extremely vigilant in assuring that the teeth stay healthy. The areas that wisdom teeth inhabit can be tough to clean with dental floss, toothbrushes and water flossers. Bacteria, food particles and plaque can build up and induce gum disease, cavities and cysts. 

An oral and maxillofacial doctor specializes in performing surgeries of the face, mouth and jaw. When you need an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice that’s dedicated to providing the highest standard of personalized care, look no further than Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery. We offer an extensive menu of high-quality services for people of all ages. For more information about our many services, please contact us today.