Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth (your third molars) are the last teeth to come in -- and the ones least needed for good oral health. They may not erupt, or emerge from your gums, until your late teens or early twenties -- if they erupt at all. Most often, they're impacted, or trapped in the jawbone and gums, usually because there's not enough room for them in your mouth. Our jaws are smaller than those of early humans, who needed large jaws and more teeth for their tougher diet. We don't need that extra chewing power anymore. In fact, wisdom teeth often do more harm than good, and your dentist may recommend removing them.
Extraction of Impacted Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in, and usually, they're impacted, or trapped in the jawbone and gums, usually because there is not enough room for them in your mouth. Your dentist may recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed so that they do not threaten the health of your mouth.
Removing your wisdom teeth is the most common treatment for impacted teeth. It can eliminate existing symptoms or protect your mouth from future problems. If you wait until your wisdom teeth cause you trouble, risks and complications are more likely. Deeply embedded roots can make removal harder as well.
The surgery to remove your impacted wisdom teeth can be performed in your dentist's office and can be completed in about 2 hours. The dentist will make an incision in your gum in order to reach the tooth. The incision creates a flap which exposes the jawbone. The tooth is extracted from its socket either in one piece or in sections for easier removal.
After the surgery, you will rest for a while in the dentist's office while you recover from the anesthetic. Then you will be released and given pain medication to help in your recovery. Your dentist may also schedule a follow-up visit to ensure you are healing properly.
|
