If your wisdom teeth do not have room to fully grow and they are not removed on time, this may cause a variety of problems for you. The first problem it will most likely cause is tooth impaction. Impaction can cause pain, infection and other dental problems and you will need to have the wisdom tooth pulled. Wisdom tooth extraction is performed by your dentist or oral surgeon.
In order to prevent future problems from happening, most dentists and oral surgeons recommend wisdom teeth be removed even before they fully emerge from your gums. This is a preventative measure.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to emerge from your gums. They usually appear between 17 to 25 years of age, and some people never develop them. For others, wisdom teeth grow out normally and do not cause any problems.
But for most people, wisdom teeth cause a host of problems, like impaction as mentioned above. So dentists decide that removing them is the best course of action as a preventative measure for most adults.
Even those who experience no symptoms of pain with their wisdom teeth are still at risk of infection or disease. The earlier they can be removed, the better because serious complications with wisdom teeth removal occur less in young adults. If you have them removed when you are older, you may experience difficulties with surgery and complications after your surgery is completed.
Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure that usually does not result in long-term complications. Although, sometimes, removing wisdom teeth will involve a surgical approach where an incision is made in the gums to remove the tooth. There can be risks that happen, rarely, such as:
- Dry socket
- Infection in the socket from bacteria or trapped food debris
- Damage to teeth, nerves, jawbone or sinuses
If your dentist is experienced in removing wisdom teeth, you could undergo the operation in the office. If you need all four out at once, or if your wisdom tooth is really impacted, you might be sent to an oral surgeon. You will most likely be put under anesthetic for the procedure.
After the surgery is complete, you may need to go home for the rest of the day. How long it takes for you to return back to work depends on the patient. It could be up to a week before you feel up to going back to school or work.
If you have further questions about wisdom tooth extraction, contact Hillsborough Dental Centre.