Wisdom Teeth

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICOI

Wisdom teeth, those third molars at the very back of our mouths, are so named because they generally erupt during late adolescence and early adulthood. When properly positioned they can be a valuable asset to us. When the jaw is not large enough to accommodate these teeth, they can cause problems requiring removal.

Wisdom Teeth in Teens

Wisdom teeth usually appear in young adults between the ages of 15 and 25. Some wisdom teeth will grow in normally; others are "impacted," meaning that the rest of your teeth have left them no room to grow. Dentists use X-rays to evaluate whether your wisdom teeth have any chance of coming in properly, and can advise you on the best time to have them removed.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

When there is no room for wisdom teeth to come in properly or when the teeth haven't reached their permanent location by age 25, then they're considered to be impacted. Dentists recommend removing the tooth early, before complications can develop.

Partially visible wisdom teeth are susceptible to bacteria that can cause infection, and cysts and tumors can grow on a trapped wisdom tooth, causing irritation and some pain, as well as diseases of the gums. Another problem occurs when the second molar, the last tooth before the wisdom tooth, is damaged as the wisdom tooth grows in without enough room.

The younger the patient, the easier the healing will be, which is another reason not to wait before removing impacted wisdom teeth. Surgery will be performed in either a dentist's or oral surgeon's office, under anesthesia, providing patients with maximum comfort while keeping the procedure efficient and cost-effective. Local anesthetic (such as novocaine) is always used, but you may opt for additional comfort with nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), IV sedation (twilight sleep), or deep sedation (general anesthesia.)

Removing Wisdom Teeth

Your dentist can provide guidance whether you're a candidate for wisdom teeth extraction. The bottom line is that wisdom teeth most often don't fit well in our mouths and they can cause other teeth to move, or lead to gum disease or bone problems. Ask the dentist to make an evaluation and suggest the best course of action!