Wisdom teeth removal is often a rite of passage for teens and young adults. Older individuals are often surprised when dentists suggest their wisdom teeth to be removed because "they have never bothered me!". However, regardless of age, there are many reasons why wisdom teeth may warrant removal and they can be either roughly categorized as
1. Necessary: Wisdom teeth MUST be removed to restore health. Existing wisdom teeth may be decayed or the gum tissues around the teeth may be inflamed (pericoronitis), or the orientation of the wisdom teeth may be causing damage to adjacent tooth or periodontia.
2. Preventive: The removal of wisdom teeth will prevent development of serious pathology in the future. This is particularly true for wisdom teeth that have only extruded partly through gum tissue or partially impacted due to risk for pericoronitis. However even if the wisdom teeth have fully erupted, if one can not brush or floss them properly, removal may still be considered to prevent future decay.
Early removal of wisdom teeth for valid reasons is recommended because a younger body simply heals faster than an older body. Further, the extraction will be simpler for both the dentist and patient if done before the roots of the teeth are fully formed.
Before wisdom teeth extraction a panoramic radiograph is taken to evaluate tooth morphology and its orientation. The dentist will also perform an intraoral exam to assess access to surgical site and discuss with you the benefits and possible risks of the procedure. Different sedation options may also be offered.
The Mayo Clinic has good information on this subject for readers interested in more details.
1. Necessary: Wisdom teeth MUST be removed to restore health. Existing wisdom teeth may be decayed or the gum tissues around the teeth may be inflamed (pericoronitis), or the orientation of the wisdom teeth may be causing damage to adjacent tooth or periodontia.
2. Preventive: The removal of wisdom teeth will prevent development of serious pathology in the future. This is particularly true for wisdom teeth that have only extruded partly through gum tissue or partially impacted due to risk for pericoronitis. However even if the wisdom teeth have fully erupted, if one can not brush or floss them properly, removal may still be considered to prevent future decay.
Early removal of wisdom teeth for valid reasons is recommended because a younger body simply heals faster than an older body. Further, the extraction will be simpler for both the dentist and patient if done before the roots of the teeth are fully formed.
Before wisdom teeth extraction a panoramic radiograph is taken to evaluate tooth morphology and its orientation. The dentist will also perform an intraoral exam to assess access to surgical site and discuss with you the benefits and possible risks of the procedure. Different sedation options may also be offered.
The Mayo Clinic has good information on this subject for readers interested in more details.
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