Wisdom Teeth

    Wisdom teeth emerge years after all other teeth are in place.  The third molars, or wisdom teeth, are called such because they develop when most individuals become adults, which is near 17 years of age.

    Because our jaws are smaller than those of our ancestors, our wisdom teeth do not have enough room to fit in our mouths properly.  We eat softer foods now, therefore, we do not require the additional molars for tough chewing.  This change in our lifestyle and mouth structure usually results in problems if any additional teeth, such as wisdom teeth, attempt to emerge.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed?

    Because our mouths are no longer large enough for our wisdom teeth they may become implacted, which can crowd other teeth and cause them to chip or break.  They can cause gum disease or can decay due to their difficulty of cleaning.  They may also cause cysts, which an destroy the jaw or teeth surrounding the wisdom teeth.  Very rarely do wisdom teeth grow properly and remain healthy.  If wisdom teeth are removed, they can keep the rest of your mouth healthy and your other teeth properly positioned.

    It is best to have wisdom teeth removed around 17 years of age because that is when they usually develop.  Removal will be easier and recovery will be faster since the roots usually have not fully developed yet.

What Is The Procedure For Removal?

    First, your dental and medical history will be evaluated.  You will also receive a tooth examination and have two typeds of x-rays taken.  A panographic x-ray wich provides and overall view of your mouth, and and intraoral x-ray, which examines individual teeth, will be performed.

    Wisdom teeth removal is usually an outpatient procedure, but occasionally some patients may need to stay in the hospital.  They type and length of surgery will depend upon how developed your wisdom teeth are.

    It is recommended that you do not eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before the surgery.  You will be given a sedative to help you relax during the surgery.  You will also receive an anesthetic to numb the area around your wisdom teeth.  Once you ar fully relaxed and your mouth is numb, the surgery will begin.  If your wisdom teeth are impacted, an incision will be made to remove the teeth and you will receive stitches.  If they have emerged through the gum, they will probably be removed with no incisions.

What Will Need To Be Done After The Surgery?

    After the surgery is completed, you will remain in the office until the sedative and anesthetic have somewhat subsided.  You should probably plan to rest and take it easy for the next few days.  Since swelling and pain are likely, you will be given medication and be recommended to drink clear liquids at first.  Cold compresses will also help with the soreness.  You should not brush or floss the area near the surgery, but continue to brush the rest of your teeth very carefully.

    You will probably be healed within 1 to 2 weeks, although the bone does not fill in for approximately 6 months.  A follow-up visit may also be scheduled to verify that your mouth is healing correctly.