By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.

The average mouth holds only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that has space for only 28. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as "wisdom teeth."

Why should my wisdom teeth be removed?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result may be swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Oral examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, our surgeons can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and determine if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Ideally, patients are first evaluated in the early to mid teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This will determine the optimal timing of treatment.

Removal

After your treatment plan is completed, our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, which utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff that are experienced in anesthesia techniques. All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Our surgeons have the training, licensing and experience to provide various types of anesthesia. The removal of wisdom teeth may be performed under intravenous sedation, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or local anesthesia. Patients requiring removal of multiple and/or impacted teeth are most comfortable with intravenous sedation. These anesthesia options as well as potential surgical risks will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, you will receive appropriate post-operative instructions and prescriptions. A surgeon is on call for urgent after hours questions or concerns.

 

 

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