You may be all too familiar with the discomfort produced by your wisdom teeth. While many ask if wisdom teeth removal may be avoided, it's essential to understand why it's necessary.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth in the human mouth. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25, hence the name "wisdom tooth," because they are supposed to occur when a person is older and wiser.
Dentists and oral surgeons frequently advocate their removal to avoid future problems and maintain good mouth health. However, extraction may be unnecessary if the wisdom teeth are healthy, well-positioned, and producing no issues.
Learn when wisdom tooth removal is necessary and when it may be avoided.
When is Wisdom Tooth Removal Necessary?
Wisdom teeth extraction is not an emergency operation. The dentist carefully checks your teeth and monitors how the tooth eruption progresses. The dentist may promptly perform a wisdom teeth extraction if the patient complains of pain.
The following are some conditions in which wisdom teeth removal is necessary:
Impaction
Wisdom teeth erupt significantly later in childhood after all other teeth have erupted, fallen, and been replaced by adult teeth. Because these adult teeth leave little room for new molars, the wisdom tooth does not fully erupt (impaction).
They remain entirely or partially beneath the gumline. Now, this is hardly an ideal circumstance. If the tooth erupts only partially, the gum flap will open somewhat. Bacteria and food particles can become trapped, increasing the risk of infection. There is also a substantial risk of tooth decay caused by bacterial development. Both problems can be excruciating; having the wisdom tooth pulled ultimately may be the only cure.
Overcrowding
As previously stated, there is insufficient space for wisdom teeth when they erupt. Not everyone's arches are large enough to accept new teeth. When the wisdom teeth erupt, it causes crowding. Overcrowding alters the dynamics of your bite and may even result in repeated headaches and pain. In this instance, not having the wisdom tooth pulled is not an option.
Cavity
Wisdom teeth are placed deep back in the oral cavity, making reaching them with your toothbrush difficult. Food particles and germs adhere to them, raising the risk of cavities. Treating cavities so far back in the mouth is challenging for the same reasons. If cavities in wisdom teeth are not removed, they will cause damage to the adjacent teeth. So, tooth extraction is an urgent necessity if your wisdom teeth have a cavity.
Jaw Cysts
The wisdom tooth is enclosed by a sac within the jawbone. If you do not get your wisdom tooth pulled, the sac will most likely be filled with fluid, which can create a cyst. Jaw cysts are uncomfortable and can harm adjacent nerves, teeth, and jaw bones. The cyst could harm the bone around it. Wisdom tooth extraction is essential to prevent the creation of jaw cysts.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth
If the wisdom teeth erupt improperly, as is expected, it will press into the surrounding molar. Constant pressure on adjacent teeth might cause harm. They may even become misaligned, altering your bite pattern and stressing the jaw's joints and muscles.
Pericoronitis
Another condition that necessitates wisdom tooth extraction is pericoronitis. Gum tissue disease occurs when gum tissue becomes inflamed and infected. The illness is uncomfortable and can leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth. You may even have difficulties opening your mouth.
Can Wisdom Tooth Extraction Be Avoided?
In other circumstances, the wisdom tooth erupts at the appropriate angle and causes no complications. In that situation, you can decide not to have your wisdom tooth pulled. However, your wisdom teeth are likely to cause complications in the future.
Having your wisdom tooth removed before it becomes an issue is always preferable. However, if your wisdom tooth is causing pain, you cannot (and should not) postpone having it out. The discomfort will only worsen, not improve. So there's no purpose in waiting for it.
If you need wisdom teeth extracted, you can find a specialist by googling “wisdom teeth removal near me.” Be sure to check their qualifications before undergoing the procedure.
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