ClickCease
do wisdom teeth need to be removed

Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed? Everything You Need to Know

Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed? Everything You Need to Know

The extraction of the third molars also known as the wisdom teeth is a routine surgery in almost all dental clinics, but many are unsure if it is always needed. In this informative article we will discuss some of the situations where wisdom teeth have to be extracted, the outcome of not addressing problematic wisdom teeth and what happens during the extraction process. By the end of this guide, you will have gained adequate knowledge on whether you require to have your wisdom teeth pulled out, and the process to follow.

do wisdom teeth need to be removed

Do You Have to Remove Wisdom Teeth?

The decision to remove wisdom teeth is not always easy, as not everyone has to have these teeth pulled out. The issue of extraction depends on other factors including position of the teeth, pain or discomfort depicted, and likelihood of future problems.

Situations Where Removal Is Necessary

In particular, third molars are essential to be extracted if they harm the surrounding teeth or lead to certain dangerous issues. Some common situations where extraction is necessary include:

  1.       Infection: In some instances, hidden under the gum and partially down, wisdom teeth can leave small grooves, which become the breeding ground for bacteria leading to infection, pain, swelling, and in severe cases, damage to the surrounding teeth and jawbone.
  2.       Misalignment: When wisdom teeth emerge at an improper angle, they exert pressure on other teeth and lead to crowding and misalignment of even the neighboring teeth and the damage of the roots of those teeth as well.
  3.       Impaction: Sometimes, wisdom teeth become stuck (impacted) in the jaw, unable to fully erupt. This, in turn, results in pain, swollen gums, deterioration of gum tissue, formation of cysts, or even tumors around the affected tooth that has not come out of the gum.
  4.       Tooth decay: The third molars are situated towards the rear part of the mouth thus are more difficult to brush and floss. This may result in poor dental hygiene and eventual development of cavities and other related diseases.

In such cases, the extraction of the wisdom teeth is deemed as appropriate since failure to do so leads to other related problems.

When Wisdom Teeth Can Be Left Alone

In some cases, wisdom teeth can be left in place if they meet the following criteria:

  •         Completely emerged in the oral cavity along its full extent and well aligned with the neighboring teeth
  •         Free from disease/ illness and not physically painful or uncomfortable or indicative of other problems
  •         Can be easily cleaned during the regular tooth brushing practices
  •         Non-aggressive to the health of the adjacent teeth and gum tissues

If your wisdom teeth meet these conditions, then it is not compulsory for you to undergo the extraction. However, it is recommended to visit the dentist periodically in order to check whether they are still healthy or not.

What Happens If Wisdom Teeth Aren’t Removed?

Leaving wisdom teeth unresolved also exposes you to different dangers and other future difficulties to your dental health. By being aware of these possible problems, this will assist you in making a right choice regarding having your wisdom teeth surgically removed.

Risks of Keeping Problematic Wisdom Teeth

Failing to remove troublesome wisdom teeth can result in several complications, including:

  •         Day to day pain and uneasiness in the jaw, gums and in other related teeth
  •         Periodontal diseases that recurred in the gum and other connective issues that may become systemic when neglected
  •         Other oral health issues such as tooth decay and cavities that results from the fact that wisdom teeth are harder to clean, hence they accumulate germs and foods debris
  •         Other problems such as the impact on the adjacent teeth and their roots and may need further dental work
  •         Creation of cysts around the impacted tooth leading to some complications such as loss of bone and other related problems

Such issues worsen over time, resulting in increased suffering, and often, the need for more invasive and expensive procedures in the future.

Long-Term Oral Health Consequences

In addition to the immediate risks, keeping problematic wisdom teeth can have long-lasting effects on your overall oral health, such as:

  •         Non-aligned adjacent/distant teeth that causes bite complications, leads to uneven and faster wear and tear of teeth and creates chances of TMJ disorders
  •         Periodontitis as a result of poor oral hygiene round semi erupted or impacted wisdom teeth followed by bone loss and tooth shedding
  •         Higher chances of developing caries and cavities in the adjacent teeth since the presence of impacted third molars contributes to the difficulty of one’s brushing and flossing
  •         Possible swelling and redness, irritation and inflammation in the jaw due to the pressure from the impacted tooth on the stare and nerves
  •         Problems in proper oral hygiene that may cause other dental problems to occur

If you deal with wisdom teeth issues in a proper way you can protect yourself from these outcomes and have a more comfortable and healthier smile in the future.

How to Tell If Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed

It’s important to identify a number of key indicators to enable one to identify when their wisdom teeth may be problematic. Knowing those signs and the purpose of the dental X-rays in determining your third molars’ condition will help you prevent the development of oral diseases.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, it may indicate that your wisdom teeth need to be removed:

  •         Sensitive and sore in the back of the mouth, and to tapping or pressure and swallowing while chewing or biting.
  •         Gum inflammation, redness or progressive sensitiveness around the area of the erupted or impacted wisdom teeth
  •         Halitosis or a change in the taste of the mouth, which often is a sign of an infection
  •         Inability to fully or comfortably open the mouth
  •         Visible misalignment or crowding of the surrounding teeth
  •         Soreness or tenderness of the adjacent teeth

Any of these symptoms should be reported to your dentist when they become severe or prolonged so that he or she can give the proper treatment recommendation after an examination.

The Role of Dental X-Rays

It is also extremely important that you understand why dental X-rays are crucial to identifying if your wisdom teeth need to be removed. With these diagnostic images your dentist has important information that cannot be gathered from a simple examination of the oral cavity.

This exam enables your dentist to determine the orientation of the wisdom teeth; if they are impacted or if they are developing at an abnormal angle. They also define patterns of possible complications, for example, injured adjacent teeth or bones and assess the state of the jawbone, looking for cysts or tumours.

From this information, your dentist can decide on the best course of action in relation to the state of your wisdom teeth. Your dentist may use a panoramic X-ray to get a complete view of both your jaws and all your teeth to gain the best understanding of your wisdom teeth and overall dental health.

The Process of Removing Wisdom Teeth

It is always important that you are informed as much as you can be, especially when your dentist has advised you that it is necessary that your wisdom teeth be extracted. Understanding what is expected from the time before surgery to the time after surgery is done and the recovery stage can help overcome these.

Pre-Surgery Preparations

To prepare you for the removal of your wisdom teeth the dentist will follow several procedures that will ensure a successful surgery. An exploration of your mouth, teeth, and gums will be done, and your dental X-rays checked to determine their position and state in order to guide you on the best ways to manage your wisdom teeth; your overall health history, including your current medications or known allergies will also be considered by them.

Your dentist will state that there are different types of sedation methods that are within your range of interest and what type best suits you. They will also offer clear guidelines on matters to do with the process that will precede the surgery such as dieting and medication, and answer any questions that you may have about the surgery and recovery period.

Following these tips should help to ensure that your wisdom teeth removal process goes more quickly and comfortably if you take the time to prepare yourself.

The Extraction Procedure

During the surgery, the dentist and all members of the dental team will explain all the procedures well to the patient. You will be given local anesthetic to block the feeling around the impacted wisdom teeth and also you might be given sedation if you had chosen it. In this surgical procedure, your dentist will make an incision between the teeth and gums to expose the tooth and bone.

If needed, they may cut it into smaller parts that can be easily removed by the dentist or a surgeon. Employing specific equipment, your dentist will gently dislodge the tooth and any adjoining material from the socket. The extraction site may require sutures to be made in order to heal effectively and to prevent any complications, gauze will be placed over the extraction site to help control any bleeding and to encourage a blood clot to form.

The complete process often ranges from half an hour to one hour of surgeries depending on how many wisdom teeth are being removed as well as how difficult their extractions are.

Recovery After Wisdom Teeth Removal

After the surgery, proper care is essential for a smooth recovery:

  •         Icing helps to learn swelling and alleviation of discomfort
  •         Patients should use medicines for relieving pain as recommended by a doctor
  •         It is recommended to avoid chewing on hard foods for the first several days
  •         One should avoid smoking, using a straw or forceful vomiting or spitting as this may cause dry socket
  •         After the first 24 hours they should use salt water to rinse to ensure the extraction site is clean
  •         Include small amounts of solid foods gradually as the healing process advances

The majority of the patients make a routine recovery within one week but still; it is mandatory for you to adhere to your dentist’s post-surgery guidelines.

Alternatives to Wisdom Teeth Removal

If your wisdom teeth are not obstructing the regular function and seem to be erupting in a normal manner, your dentist may suggest follow up examination and treatment only if there are complications. This makes it possible to monitor the development of the wisdom teeth and intervene in case there is an emergence of a problem.

If there is a small flap of gum tissue partially covering the wisdom tooth which is painful or red, your dentist may perform an operculectomy. This involves surgical removal of the gum tissue only to relieve symptoms along with enhancing the cleanability without pulling the said tooth.

On occasion if the wisdom tooth is in extremely close contact with the inferior alveolar nerve, which is the nerve that supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin, your dentist may recommend a coronectomy. This procedure involves extraction of only the crown of the tooth hence avoiding complications of nerve damage but retaining roots.

However, it is important to understand that these alternatives are acceptable only in particular cases and preserve temporary effectiveness.

 

Why Choose Clove Dental for Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Whether you live in North York or elsewhere in the vicinity, Clove Dental can provide you with high-quality wisdom teeth removal in the clinic that’s outfitted with the latest technologies and located in a bright, clean environment. The professional dentists and hygienists administer quality dental procedures using appropriate technologies and methods. We respect your comfort and pay special attention to your concerns to deliver you the necessary individualized attention.

Book Your Consultation Today

If you are unsure if your wisdom teeth need to be removed or desire further information about the process, call Clove Dental to arrange an appointment today. You can reach us by phone at +1 416-221-7468 or use the booking form on our website. Our friendly team is here to help you achieve optimal oral health and a pain-free smile.

FAQs About Wisdom Teeth Removal

No, wisdom teeth removal is not always necessary. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, and not causing problems, they can often be left alone. However, regular dental check-ups are essential to monitor their condition.

The suggested years for wisdom teeth extraction depend on the condition of your teeth and gums, but it is considered as the best time if it is between the ages of 18-25. During this age, the roots are not well formed, and as such when the extraction is being done, it is easier and quicker to heal as well. However, surgical extraction of wisdom teeth can be performed at any age in case they prove to be problematic.

You will be given local anesthetic therefore you won’t be able to feel any pain during the process. You will be talked through the aftercare process and you may feel some pain and swelling up after the surgery which can be relieved by taking the drugs given to you by your dentist.

Call Now
Directions