Wisdom teeth

The wisdom teeth are the molars at the far end of your mouth. They generally erupt when a person is between the ages of 16 and 25 (some people don’t have wisdom teeth at all). As they begin to bud, they can be the source of considerable pain, especially if there’s insufficient space in the mouth to accommodate them. Sometimes, they’ll remain hidden under the gum tissue. Conversely, they can also erupt only partially, or fully but poorly positioned. In these latter cases, maintaining proper dental hygiene becomes more difficult.

Should wisdom teeth be removed?

The extraction of wisdom teeth may be necessary in some cases.

Lack of space

Sometimes, wisdom teeth don’t have enough room in the mouth to erupt. Or, if they do erupt, they affect the alignment of other teeth during orthodontic treatments.

Possibility of cavities

Because of where they’re located in the mouth, wisdom teeth are harder to maintain and often prone to decay—especially if they only come in halfway or if they don’t grow straight. What’s more, dealing with decay on a poorly positioned wisdom tooth can be complicated.

Pain and complications

Since a partially erupted wisdom tooth provides a gateway for bacteria, inflammation of the surrounding tissue is a common problem. It can cause pain and difficulty opening the mouth.

Before considering extraction, inflammation should be treated with antibiotics and mouthwashes.

And even in the absence of symptoms, it’s sometimes a good idea to remove wisdom teeth to avoid long term dental problems. Your dentist will regularly monitor the progress of your wisdom teeth using panoramic radiographs.

The wisdom teeth extraction procedure

Wisdom teeth extraction is a common surgery performed with local anesthesia. Current techniques allow for rapid recovery. A sensation of pressure is sometimes felt during surgery, but, in general, anesthesia limits the pain.

The dentists at Centre dentaire St-Onge provide you with all the details you need regarding the extraction of your wisdom teeth.