Why Do I Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?

For most individuals, wisdom teeth extraction is an inevitable part of growing older. In addition to causing discomfort, untreated wisdom teeth can lead to a number of consequences for your oral health. Consider the following:

Wisdom teeth are the last to develop. The third molars typically don’t begin developing until a patient is in their mid to late teens. By the time these teeth are ready to emerge, many patients have already undergone dental treatments with orthodontics to permanently improve the alignment of their smiles. As a result, there is often not enough room in the arch to support another molar. Lack of space can cause wisdom teeth to become impacted and begin pushing against neighboring teeth, thereby threatening the alignment.

Partial emergence can make it difficult to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine. In some scenarios, wisdom teeth may be able to partially break through the gums. This partial emergence can cause gum tissue to grow over the tooth, trapping food and debris between the tooth and gums. Patients experiencing partial emergence have a more difficult time thoroughly cleaning their teeth and may be at a higher risk of developing gum disease and cavities.

Complete emergence can also compromise a patient’s oral health. While patients may not have to worry about caring for trapped teeth with complete emergence, third molars may develop too far back or cause overcrowding. This also makes it difficult for patients to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine, increasing the likelihood of developing periodontitis and tooth decay.

Impactions can become infected. Wisdom teeth impaction occurs when, due to lack of space in an arch, the molar is unable to break through the gum. The tooth may then become stuck in the jaw. In severe cases, the area around the wisdom tooth may form a cyst within the jaw. If left untreated, the cyst can compromise the health of the bone as well as damage neighboring teeth and nerves.

Prompt wisdom tooth removal is often the best solution for protecting the health and function of a patient’s smile. At Elite Dental of Fountain Valley, our team offers specialized wisdom teeth extraction for impacted teeth. For more information about simple or complex wisdom teeth extraction, contact our Fountain Valley dentist today.