Why should Wisdom Teeth be removed?
Wisdom teeth or third molars usually begin to erupt during the late teen years. Most people have four third molars, located behind the last molar (second molar) in each corner of the mouth. Some people however, may develop less than four wisdom teeth, or none at all, based on genetics or other health factors.
The Problem with Wisdom Teeth is…
While it may seem that these ‘extra’ teeth could be useful, most patients simply do not have room in the mouth for third molars. As they erupt, they may only partially come through the gums, or, turn sideways and become ‘impacted’ into the jawbone.
Most patients struggle to keep fully erupted wisdom teeth clean. Bacteria and dental plaque hide behind the back side of the tooth, making it prone to tooth decay or abscess. If the third molar is only partially erupted, food particles and bacteria become trapped between the tooth and the gums, inevitably leading to inflammation and painful swelling.
Impacted third molars often create problems for second molars, even if they have not pushed through the gums. As the patient matures, these teeth can develop cysts and cause damage to the jaw bone or other teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Evaluation & Extraction at Georgia Dental Medicine
Early developing third molars begin to show up on panoramic x-rays that show the entire jaw beginning between ages 7-12; they are typically not fully formed until the late teens or early twenties. Georgia Dental Medicine dentist Dr. Chris Anderson will recommend different x-rays as your child matures to monitor for development of third molars.
Dr. Anderson may recommend extraction of third molars if the patient does not have room in the mouth to maintain them to avoid infection or decay that could place other teeth at risk. There are exceptions, however; patients that have lost other teeth or that have a larger jaw profile may be able to keep their wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth extraction is generally recommended in early adulthood when the body is able to heal faster from surgery. Dr. Chris Anderson performs third molar extraction surgery at our Marietta dental office. In some cases, he may refer the patient to an oral surgeon specialist for evaluation and surgical care.
Schedule an Evaluation for Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth flare-ups always seem to occur at the worst possible time, like the first year of college, during the holidays or family events. If you have wisdom teeth and would like to have them evaluated for extraction, please Contact Georgia Dental Medicine to schedule a surgical consultation with Dr. Chris Anderson at our Marietta dental office.