Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to grow in the back of the mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. Wisdom teeth are no different than any other tooth except that they are the last tooth to erupt. They are just as useful as any other tooth if they grow in properly, have proper bite relationship, and have healthy gum tissue around them. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Because our jaws are smaller than our ancestors, there is sometimes not enough room for these teeth to erupt properly. Therefore, problems can result as they attempt to emerge. Wisdom teeth can often become impacted, or trapped in the jawbone and against teeth. Whether wisdom teeth cause your mouth harm depends on several factors, including the size of your jaw and how your wisdom teeth grow in. Sometimes, you may have no symptoms at all, but the other teeth in your mouth could be harmed by the impactions.
- Infection
- Gum disease being propagated due to position of wisdom teeth
- Formation of a cyst or tumor
- Decay of adjacent teeth
- Crowding displacing adjacent teeth
- Interference with bite
- Interference with restoration of adjacent teeth
- Non-functional >> more
Learn More!
- Doug Larson
