Extraction before Impaction
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars. They usually come in when a person is in their late teens to early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned. Most times, they are misaligned and require removal.
Wisdom Teeth
Are You Wise to Wisdom Teeth?
By the time you are an adult, your mouth has become home to three sets of molars. When you are around the age of six, your first set of molars appears. At age twelve, you have your second set of molars, and your third set of molars – your wisdom teeth – usually erupt at some stage in your late teen years or early twenties.
How can You Tell if Your Wisdom Teeth have Erupted?
When you are not sure if your wisdom teeth have erupted yet, do not worry! Distinctive Dentistry, serving the Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, and the North Seattle, WA area, can tell! Dr. Zachary Streit or one of his dental hygienists can easily take a dental X-ray of your mouth to determine if your wisdom teeth have erupted. The X-ray also shows how many wisdom teeth have erupted and how the wisdom teeth will be aligned after they erupt. More importantly, the dental X-ray shows if the surfacing of your wisdom teeth will badly alter the alignment of your teeth and jawline. Your wisdom teeth can serve a function if your mouth has room for them. However, your dental X-ray may indicate your wisdom teeth require extraction to avoid future dental problems.
What Conditions Warrant Wisdom Teeth Extractions?
Your molars function to help in the chewing and the grinding of your food as you eat. Even so, sometimes, when your wisdom teeth surface and they are out of alignment with your other teeth, they can cause dental troubles later. For instance,
- Your teeth may become overcrowded.
- Your jawbone may become damaged.
- Your surrounding nerves may become damaged.
For these reasons, Dr. Streit may recommend the possible extraction of your wisdom teeth. In addition to the above dental problems, Dr. Streit may also recommend wisdom teeth extractions because your dental X-ray indicated that your teeth are impacted. Impaction starts when the wisdom teeth do not appear totally from your soft tissue or your jawbone. Additionally, when your wisdom teeth only partially appear, wisdom teeth extractions are warranted because, if the molars stay in your mouth, you may develop circumstances that produce infections causing tooth pain, jaw pain, swelling, and overall poor dental health.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions and Age
As odd as it may seem, age is a factor in determining when to have your wisdom teeth removed. At a younger age, your wisdom teeth extractions require less recovery time: the root of your molar has not developed fully, and your bone still has manipulability. Unfortunately, for the older patient needing wisdom teeth extractions, the extraction seems to be more complicated because the roots of your wisdom teeth have solidified to the bone, leading to a longer recuperation period.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions and Distinctive Dentistry
Please let Distinctive Dentistry know if you are anxious about the process associated with your wisdom teeth extractions. Dr. Streit or one of his friendly dental team members will discuss with you the options available to reduce any concerns you have concerning your wisdom teeth and their extraction. If by chance, your wisdom teeth issues are in a more advanced stage, Dr. Streit may recommend an oral surgeon.
Distinctive Dentistry recommends the extraction of your wisdom teeth when your dental checkup shows future dental problems will occur if they remain. Most times, Dr. Streit will schedule your wisdom teeth extractions during another dental visit.
Wisdom teeth extractions are more invasive. During the procedure, Dr. Streit removes the molar from its socket. Distinctive Dentistry will provide oral sedation to make certain you are comfortable. Dr. Streit continues the procedure by gently expanding the socket to reach the ligament that attaches the molar to the jawbone. Next, he removes the wisdom tooth or teeth. When the procedure is completed, you will receive instructions for at-home care before you leave the office. It is possible that after the extraction, your remaining teeth may shift because of the new space created by the extraction. Distinctive Dentistry will discuss the options you have if you experience problems from their shifting.
