Who knows if “wisdom teeth removal” will continue to be a trending topic by celebrities on social media? Nothing is taboo anymore on the celebrity scene. But for those interested or concerned, we wanted to explain more about the procedure and why extraction is recommended for most your adults before problems occur.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, begin to erupt between the ages of 16 – 25 and they usually erupt sooner in females than males. They are the furthest teeth in the back of the mouth on all four sides of the upper and lower jaws.
Most upper and lower jaws today are not large enough to can’t accommodate these last molars, preventing them from not erupting fully or becoming impacted which can cause a number of serious problems.
- Pain during eruption in a confined space
- Bacterial infections from partially erupted teeth trapping food and debris
- Periodontal disease
- TMJ discomfort
- Formation of cysts or pockets of infection below the gum line resulting tooth and bone loss
To eliminate these potential problems, extraction of the teeth before symptoms occur is the best option in most cases. Extraction of Wisdom Teeth is a routine dental procedure commonly performed today under local anesthesia or “conscious sedation”, which eliminates pain and distress during the procedure. Anti-anxiety medication may also be given to apprehensive patients. An oral surgeon, who specializes in dental surgical procedures, is the recommended dental professional of choice.
Once orthodontic treatment is completed by orthodontist Dr. Mark Reynolds at Robert Stoner Orthodontics, a panoramic x-ray is taken to determine the exact position of your wisdom teeth to determine if extractions are required. The roots start forming on wisdom teeth around age 16. If extractions are indicated, we recommend the teeth be removed sooner rather than later before the roots form by popping out the tooth bud for a much easier surgical procedure and recuperation time.
For more information about third molar extractions and the best time to consider removal, contact our Greensboro or Summerfield NC office or discuss with one of our team members at your next orthodontic appointment.