Archive for May, 2011

Most of us are familiar with the extraction or removal of wisdom teeth, but do we really understand why our dentists are making this recommendation prior to the onset of pain or other dental issues? Our wisdom teeth, or third molars, are located in the back of our mouths and are prone to problems during their eruption. As they are the last teeth to erupt in our mouth there often is no room left in the dental arch to support the eruption of these teeth. Allowing these four teeth to enter the mouth can cause problems, or an impacted tooth. An impacted tooth occurs when there is lack of space in the dental arch and its growth and eruption are prevented by overlying gum, bone and another tooth.

The following problems may arise from impacted teeth:

• Infection
• Damage to adjacent teeth
• Formation of cysts

Removing Wisdom Teeth Before Problems Occur

Because not all of the problems related to wisdom teeth removal are painful or visible it does not mean damage can’t occur without you being aware of it. Your dentist will be aware of the potential problems of the continued growth of wisdom teeth and the complications that arise if they are left. For one, the teeth become more difficult to remove as the roots become longer as consistent with the patient aging. Although the problems associated with wisdom teeth are difficult to predict to specific points in time, it is recommended that they be removed by the time the patient is a young adult in order to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing. This removal period generally occurs between the ages of 17 and 25, a period of life that has been dubbed the “Age of Wisdom.” Read more: Wisdom Teeth Removal