The average person develops wisdom teeth during their early or teenage years. These teeth develop in the back of the mouth and are the last teeth to erupt. An estimated 90 percent of the population does not have enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt into an easily accessible position. When this occurs, the teeth remain under the gum where they have the potential to become cystic or infected leading to gum disease or bone loss, or damage to adjacent teeth.
Dr. Blazic can evaluate your wisdom teeth and how they are affecting your oral health to determine the best course of treatment needed.
Why should I remove my wisdom teeth?
Removal of wisdom teeth is recommended when these teeth are unable to properly erupt within the mouth. They may come in at various angles or remain completely buried beneath the gum tissue and bone.
Frequently, once the wisdom teeth have erupted through the gum tissue, food and plaque become trapped between the gums and the teeth. This may result in cavities and infections in and around the gums and the teeth. If the wisdom teeth do not erupt (remain under the gum tissue), pressure from the teeth may result in crowding of the surrounding teeth. If a person is undergoing orthodontic treatment, wisdom teeth removal is often recommended to prevent crowding after the braces have been removed.
Retaining wisdom teeth can result in the development of dental cysts or tumors. These cysts or tumors can often cause significant harm to the bone nearby and may damage healthy teeth.
Removal of impacted wisdom teeth resolves these concerns. It is generally considered a good idea to remove these teeth when individuals are younger since surgery and recovery tend to be easier with fewer risks and fewer postoperative complications.
