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What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are third molars. Normally people have three
permanent molars that develop in each quadrant of the mouth;
upper, lower, right and left. The first molars usually grow
into the mouth at around six years of age. The second molars
grow in at around age 12. The third molars usually will try
to grow in at around age 18 to 20 years. Since that is
considered to be the age when people become wiser, third
molars gained the nickname, "wisdom teeth." Actually, they
are no different than any other tooth except that they are
the last teeth to erupt, or grow into the mouth. They are
just as useful as any other tooth if they grow in properly,
have a proper bite relationship, and have healthy gum tissue
around them. Unfortunately, this does not always happen.
What is an impaction?
When wisdom teeth are prevented from erupting into the mouth
properly, they are referred to as impacted. Teeth that have
not erupted are not necessarily impacted. It may be that it
is still too early in someone's dental development, and if
time passes they might grow in properly. A dentist must
examine a patient's mouth and his or her x-rays to determine
if the teeth are impacted or will not grow in properly.
Impacted teeth may cause problems. Impacted teeth can result
in infection, decay of adjacent teeth, gum disease or
formation of a cyst or tumor from the follicle, which is the
tissue which formed the crown of the tooth. Many dentists
recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth to prevent
potential problems.
Erupted wisdom teeth
Erupted wisdom teeth may also need to be removed. The
dentist may recommend this if the tooth is non-functional,
interfering with the bite, badly decayed, involved with or
at risk for periodontal disease, or interfering with
restoration of an adjacent tooth. Once again, every case is
different and only your dentist can determine if there is a
reason for you to have a tooth removed.
When should wisdom teeth be removed?
The following symptoms may indicate that the wisdom teeth
have erupted and surfaced, and should be removed before they
become impacted-meaning, the teeth have surfaced and have no
room in the mouth to grow. However, each individual may
experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
 pain
infection in the mouth
facial swelling
swelling of the gum line in the back of the
mouth
Many oral health specialists will recommend
removal of the wisdom teeth, (when the roots are
approximately formed, or three-fourths developed, usually in
the adolescent years), as early removal will help to
eliminate problems, such as an impacted tooth that destroys
the second molar. Third molar impaction is the most
prevalent medical developmental disorder.
What problems are often associated with
impacted third molars?
bacteria and plaque build-up
cysts development (a fluid- filled sac)
tumor development
infection
jaw and gum disease
What is involved in the extraction procedure?
The removal of an
impacted tooth or wisdom tooth is a minor surgical
operation, lasting 5 to 30 minutes. It often requires
incision of the gum, cutting the tooth and probably some
removal of bone too. The oral surgeon may provide anesthesia
options of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), intravenous
sedation, or general anesthesia to make the procedure more
relaxing for you.
You will have some swelling and
discomfort. Your surgeon will detail other potential
complications. You may experience some stiffness in your
jaw. There may even be some slight discoloration of the
skin. Detailed instructions and medications for home care
will be given to you by the surgeon to speed your recovery
and minimize difficulties. Healing speed will depend upon
the ability of your body to generate tissue.
Must
the tooth come out if it hasn't caused trouble yet? The main
problem is that no one can tell when an impacted tooth or
wisdom tooth will cause you trouble. About the only thing
that can be said is that trouble probably will arise and
when it does, it will arrive unexpectedly and at
inconvenient times. By waiting, trouble may arise first,
then the tooth cannot be removed until the infection or
other complications have been treated. This means loss of
more time and added expense along with some added risk. It's
best to have impacted teeth and wisdom teeth removed before
trouble begins.
It is far easier to have impacted teeth or
wisdom teeth out when you are younger as well.
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