You might’ve thought that wisdom teeth removal is something that everyone has to have during their late teen years or early 20s. But that’s simply not true.
At our Crystal Smiles Dental practice in Livermore, California, Dr. Colin Young and our team offer honest assessments of whether or not your wisdom teeth should be removed. If the answer is yes, then you can be confident that you’re in good hands. We have the expertise to perform oral surgery, as needed.
When wisdom teeth removal is needed
Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars in the very back of your mouth. As they emerge, you may experience problems, such as:
Growing in at different angles
Wisdom teeth don’t always emerge in alignment with your other teeth. In some cases, they can come in horizontally, which can cause problems for your oral health.
Staying impacted
Once your wisdom teeth come in, they usually break through your gums and rise up to meet your other surrounding teeth. In some cases, they may stay beneath your gums, which means they’re impacted. This problem can promote problematic issues like the growth of cysts or tumors.
Partially emerging
If your wisdom teeth only emerge partially, this is an issue as well. If they don’t fully erupt through your gums, they can create pathways for bacteria to grow, which can lead to gum disease and other oral health issues.
Crowding other teeth
For your wisdom teeth to emerge properly, they need the space to do so. If they don’t have room when they emerge, they naturally begin to push your other teeth forward and into each other, which can damage your teeth.
Difficulty with cleaning
Because your wisdom teeth are so far back in your mouth, they can be difficult to reach for proper oral hygiene practices, which can cause cavities to form.
During your routine X-ray visits, we can usually predict issues before they arise. For example, you may not have any pain, but we may see that an extraction might be necessary because of how your tooth or teeth are coming in.
When wisdom teeth removal isn’t necessary
You very well might NOT need your wisdom teeth to be extracted. During your routine visits, we evaluate the progress of how your wisdom teeth are coming in.
Extractions won’t be necessary if your wisdom teeth are:
- Strong and healthy
- Fully emerged
- Emerged in the proper position
- Not causing issues with your bite
- Easily reached for cleaning
Though wisdom teeth removal isn’t always necessary, many patients opt in for it to prevent problems later on. As you age, the bones in your mouth become harder, which makes teeth removal more difficult as you get older.
If you have questions about whether or not you need your wisdom teeth removed, make an appointment with our team. We can evaluate the condition of your oral health and determine if wisdom teeth removal is right for you. Call, text, or book your visit with us online today.