What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the set of 3rd molar teeth that erupt last in the mouth. Normally, each person has 4 wisdom teeth and they often erupt at age of 17-21. Because they are the last to erupt in the mouth, they often get impacted or end up erupting partially. Often due to limited jaw spaces, they grow in a wrong direction, turn to the side, tilt backwards, or emerge in a wrong position.
These wrong positions and directions of wisdom teeth can often cause infection, abscess and tooth decay due to difficulty in providing good oral hygiene.
Rarely, untreated impacted wisdom teeth can cause cysts and some benign tumours and these can lead to jaw bone destruction.
Any teeth that can be saved, we try to save as many as possible. But for wisdom teeth, it may not be worth saving them as they often end up causing more trouble.
Therefore, for wisdom teeth, often the recommended treatment of choice is to remove them.
Symptoms
- Swelling
- Extreme pain
- Bad breath
- Difficulty in opening the mouth
- Pain on chewing
Wisdom teeth often need to be extracted due to the following reasons
- Infection
- Abscess
- Tooth Impaction
- Tooth Decay
- Difficult in providing good Oral Hygiene
- Pushes neighbouring teeth
- Jaw bone destruction
How are they removed?
As many wisdom teeth end up being impacted, extraction becomes challenging as well. They are often submerged below the gum or deep in the bone tissues.
Impacted wisdom teeth are removed surgically where it requires opening of the surrounding tissues to allow better access for the removal.
For normally emerged wisdom teeth that require extractions often can be treated like normal dental extractions.
The procedure can be done under local anaesthesia as well as under general anaesthesia.
Dentists at Prahran Family Dental strive to ensure that the wisdom teeth are removed in the safest and relaxed manner possible.
We work together with oral-maxillofacial surgeons near by should any case requires referral.
For more information about wisdom teeth removal, please contact our reception at Prahran Family Dental.
