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Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop and appear in your mouth. They come in between the ages of 17 and 25.

What is an Impacted Tooth?

When a tooth is unable to fully enter the mouth, it is said to be “impacted.” In general, impacted teeth are unable to break through the gums because there is not enough room. Nine out of ten people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Sometimes when the wisdom tooth only partially comes through the gums then they can lead to “pericoronitis”, infection around the crown of the tooth which results in swelling, pain and in severe cases difficulty in swallowing. Therefore, impaction of the wisdom teeth can be due to bone (hard tissues) or the gum (soft tissues).

How serious is an impacted wisdom tooth?

If left in the mouth, impacted wisdom teeth may damage neighbouring teeth, or become infected. Because the third molar area of the mouth is difficult to clean, it is a site that invites the bacteria that leads to gum disease. Furthermore oral bacteria may travel from your mouth through the bloodstream, where it may lead to possible systemic infections and illnesses that affect the heart, kidneys and other organs.

Research has shown that once periodontal disease is established in the third molar areas, the problem is persistent and progressive, but may improve following extraction of the teeth.

In some cases a fluid-filled cyst or tumour may form around the base of the untreated wisdom tooth. As the cyst grows it may lead to more serious problems as it hollows out the jaw and damages surrounding nerves, teeth and other structures.

Must the tooth come out if it hasn’t caused any problems yet?

Many people believe that as long as they are not in pain, they do not have to worry about their wisdom teeth. However, pain free does not mean disease or problem free. In fact, wisdom teeth that come in normally may still be prone to disease, according to a study by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation. It is, therefore, important that your dentist monitors the health of your wisdom teeth during your annual dental check-ups.

In general, dental and medical professionals agree that wisdom teeth should always be removed in the following instances:

  • infections and/or periodontal disease;
  • cavities that cannot be restored;
  • pathologies such as cysts, and tumours, and
  • damage to neighbouring teeth.

Wisdom teeth that are completely erupted and functional, painless, cavity-free, in a hygienic environment with healthy gum tissue, and are disease-free teeth they may not require extraction. They do, however, require regular, professional cleaning, annual check-ups and periodic radiographs to monitor for any changes.

What Happens During Surgery?

If your dentist or healthcare professional recommends that your wisdom teeth be removed, you will most likely be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the procedure. Before surgery, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will discuss the procedure with you and tell you what to expect. This is a good time to ask questions. Also talk to your surgeon about any concerns you have. Be sure to let your doctor know about any illness you have and medications you are taking.

There are several conditions that affect how easy it will be to remove a wisdom tooth. These conditions include how the tooth is positioned and the stage of root development. If the wisdom teeth are impacted the surgery might be more complicated.

Wisdom teeth are easier to remove when the patient is younger, since their roots are not completely formed, the surrounding bone is softer, and there is less chance of damaging nearby nerves or other structures. Removal of wisdom teeth at a later age becomes more complicated as the roots have fully developed (may involve the nerve), and the jawbone is denser.

Patients are given either local anaesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the anaesthetic option that is right for you.

What Happens after Surgery?

Following surgery, you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort, which are part of the normal healing process. Cold compresses may help decrease the swelling, and medication prescribed by your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon can help manage the discomfort. You will be instructed to modify your diet to a softer consistency following surgery and later progress to more normal foods.

What if I decide to keep my wisdom teeth?

If after discussing your situation with your family dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you decide to keep your wisdom teeth, be sure to take particular care in cleaning and flossing your teeth, especially the molars. Your third molars must be professionally examined regularly and x-rays of your wisdom teeth should be taken every year to make sure that the health of your teeth and gum tissue does not change.