Wisdom Teeth Basics

For a long period of time, it was generally accepted that wisdom teeth should not be disturbed until they emerge fully from the gum. Nowadays, that thinking has changed. Dentists and dental patients now recognize the persistent problems both emerged and impacted wisdom teeth can cause, and the majority of people are asked to treat this as early as possible.

The risks normally associated with wisdom teeth only grow more likely as a patient ages. Patients who wait until problems arise with their wisdom teeth before having them extracted, put themselves at risk for more serious complications. People up to the age of thirty-five are ideally suited to have their wisdom teeth removed without too many hassles; after fifty, the risks multiply because teeth tend to fuse to the jawbone and the extraction of wisdom teeth can threaten the integrity of the jawbones.

Fortunately, advances in radiographic technology provide the treating dental professional all he/she needs to know regarding the condition of the tooth and surrounding area prior to initiating treatment.

Is it really essential to extract wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth can be a source of pain, and can compress and crowd other teeth. Wisdom teeth can alter the position of adjacent teeth, gradually changing the occlusion (bite pattern). They can cause sinus problems, irritate the gum tissue and encourage infection.

To remove the wisdom teeth, particularly the teeth which have not yet emerged, specific surgical expertise may be required. A dental surgeon with proper training and instruments is imperative for the best treatment possible. Many dental professionals offer a variety of sedation techniques (usually IV sedation) because of the nature of the extraction of wisdom tooth.It is often recommended that all the wisdom teeth be extracted during one appointment.

A patient can expect to experience some pain or discomfort, some bleeding, swelling of the facial area, and dysaesthesia (loss of sensation) in the lower lip and chin area particularly when the inferior alveolar nerve, which provides feeling to the lower jaw area, sustains damage.