Your large third molars – also known as the wisdom teeth – are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth, generally by late adolescence. If your wisdom teeth erupt properly, you may not even notice it until they come in.
However, for the vast majority of patients, successful wisdom tooth eruption is impossible because the wisdom teeth become impacted, or lodged in the bone or gum tissue. This happens because the modern human jaw is too small to accommodate these teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth must be removed by an oral surgeon in a surgical procedure in which surrounding bone is removed in order to access and extract the teeth. Pursuing a preventive wisdom tooth extraction can reduce a patient’s risk of the consequences presented by impacted wisdom teeth. Patients who suspect that their wisdom teeth are impacted should schedule an evaluation with an oral surgeon to explore treatment options.
Patients who suspect that their wisdom teeth are impacted should schedule an evaluation with an oral surgeon to explore treatment options.
Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
How do you know if your wisdom teeth are impacted? An oral surgeon can actually evaluate patients in early adolescence to determine the likelihood of wisdom tooth impaction based on the structure of the jaw and the alignment of the other teeth.
You may notice signs of impacted wisdom teeth like pain in the back of the jaw or you may be able to feel cysts or tumors in the area or exhibit signs of infection, such as pus or persistent bad breath. The other teeth may shift out of position as the impacted teeth continue to try to push through the gums.
Patients who suspect that their wisdom teeth are impacted should schedule an evaluation with an oral surgeon to explore treatment options.
Treatment Options for Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Fortunately, modern humans do not need their wisdom teeth, so impacted wisdom teeth can be extracted. This is the typical course of treatment for impacted wisdom teeth. Most patients choose to have the extraction before their wisdom teeth even become symptomatic.
Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure, and most patients will be able to resume typical routines within a few days of the appointment. Patients should closely follow post-operative instructions to reduce the risk of complications that can extend the treatment timeline.
Because wisdom tooth extraction is more complicated in older patients – although it can still be done – it is recommended that patients have wisdom teeth removed by their mid-twenties.
To learn more about wisdom tooth extraction and whether it might be a good fit for you, call our office to schedule an evaluation.