Yes, wisdom teeth often need to be pulled if they are impacted, grow in improperly, or cause pain, infection, or crowding. Many people have their wisdom teeth pulled because they are actively causing oral health issues such as infections and gum disease. Further, when wisdom teeth are partially erupted or misaligned, they create hard-to-reach areas that trap food and bacteria, making it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene and increasing the risk of decay. It’s ideal to schedule a wisdom tooth extraction before it becomes an issue.
If your dentist has informed you that you or your child will need wisdom teeth extraction, you can count on the expert team at Innovative Oral Surgery & Dental Implants to provide the compassionate care you need.
What Happens If Wisdom Teeth Are Left In?
As noted, wisdom teeth can cause health problems, often due to insufficient space for the wisdom teeth to erupt properly. As a result, the molars may grow in at improper angles—even horizontally- damaging nearby teeth.
Sometimes, wisdom teeth aren’t able to erupt from the gums and become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in oral infections and cysts. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can also lead to infections, gum disease, and cavities. These types of cavities can’t be filled; the teeth must instead be removed.
In short, if you didn’t have your wisdom teeth removed in adolescence or early adulthood and they start to cause problems, you’ll need them removed.
Wisdom tooth extraction is indicated when they cause problems like:
- Pain
- Infections
- Cysts
- Tumors
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
Why Is It Better to Remove Wisdom Teeth Earlier in Life?
Your oral surgeon may have recommended removing your wisdom teeth, but you’ve hesitated because they aren’t causing problems yet. If the oral surgeon recommends wisdom tooth removal, it’s for a good reason—your mouth doesn’t have enough room to allow them to erupt properly. Taking your wisdom teeth out in adolescence or early adulthood is easier than removing them later in life.
Most people get these molars removed between the ages of 15 and 22. During this time, the tooth roots aren’t yet fully formed, and the bone isn’t as dense as it will be later in life. Because of this, wisdom tooth removal proceeds more smoothly, and recovery tends to be much easier for adults older than 22.
Entrust Your Oral Health to the Experts
The board-certified oral surgeons at Innovative Oral Surgery & Dental Implants are committed to staying at the forefront of advances in oral surgery. Our goal is to go above and beyond to provide the ultimate patient experience while relieving pain and improving oral health. We have several state-of-the-art surgical suites, offer many anesthesia options, and use the latest techniques to minimize discomfort.
When you choose us for wisdom teeth extraction, you may choose to bank stem cells for potential future use in a life-saving treatment. Contact us to schedule an appointment and to request more information.