Do you remember having your wisdom teeth removed?
I ask patients this question all the time. Responses vary greatly from, “how could I ever forget that?” to, “oh yeah, it was a breeze”. Just like responses vary, every individual is different when it comes to wisdom teeth (or 3rd molars).
Wisdom teeth are the furthest teeth back in an adult mouth. Many times, there is inadequate room for these teeth to come in all the way or even at all. Generally there are 4 wisdom teeth, however, some people never develop any or may just have one, two or three.
Due to the fact that wisdom teeth are so far back in the mouth and often only partially erupted, they often develop decay or periodontal issues. For this reason, we often recommend they be removed. This is ideally done in the late teenage years when these teeth are still in their developmental stage. Wisdom tooth extraction is often done with an oral surgeon. General dentists are also qualified to do this procedure but often refer to an oral surgeon based on difficulty and whether the patient would like to have sedation for the procedure.
The biggest complication associated with wisdom teeth that are not removed is a condition called pericoronitis. This occurs when the tissue overlying a partially impacted tooth becomes infected. This condition usually presents with pain, swelling and trismus (inability to open mouth).
If you are concerned about you or your child’s wisdom teeth, Douglas Dental can provide information based on an exam and x-ray as to whether removal is needed or not. We work closely with other professionals in the Des Moines area to provide you with the best care possible.