Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction has become a dreaded and infamous procedure. Teenagers and adults in their twenties spend a great deal of effort putting off this absolutely necessary extraction. This is not to their benefit. Wisdom teeth are third molars, adult teeth that do not erupt until well after all the other adult teeth have erupted. The teeth are a serious problem because there is simply not enough room for them in the mouth and this in turn creates many other problems for a patient’s oral health.
Wisdom teeth generally erupt between the ages of 16 – 25. Once erupted it is important to get a wisdom tooth extraction. There are different theories for why the wisdom teeth erupt late, ranging from the human jaw evolving to the point where it is smaller now or as essentially a back up tooth to replace lost teeth. No matter the reason for the tooth it is no longer necessary and can cause so many problems that it makes far more sense to have the tooth removed.
It is best to get a wisdom tooth extraction before problems arise. Because limited space available a wisdom tooth can grow in at an angle or completely sideways, never actually erupting, still encased in bone. When a wisdom tooth partially erupts, it forms a pouch that traps food and since it is a difficult area to brush and floss it becomes a prime area for tooth decay. A horizontally impacted wisdom tooth will press against the roots of the adjacent molar, causing a host of potential problems.
Many patients put off wisdom tooth extraction until problems have occurred, making the extraction more difficult than it would be otherwise. If the tooth erupts normally the extraction is generally pretty straight-forward. A horizontally impacted wisdom tooth can be extremely difficult to remove because the dentist must cut open the bone to get at the tooth and then it is often necessary to cut the tooth into sections to remove it. This means that the healing time will be even longer and this adds to the notoriety of the procedure. If the tooth becomes infected it can result in facial swelling that can make it virtually impossible to perform surgery.
If you would like to learn more about your wisdom tooth extraction and would like to speak with an Atlanta dentist, please consider the Atlanta Dental Group PC. Our dental office has over 45 years of combined experience serving Atlanta’s dental needs. Our dentists and staff are dedicated to our patients’ good health and well being and our goal is to make your visit as pleasant as possible. You are welcome to join our family of patients, whatever your dental needs. If you would like to schedule a dental consultation with any of our Atlanta dentists, call us at 404-874-7428 to make an appointment.
