Wisdom teeth are the third and final sets of molars that often come in when people hit their late teens or early twenties. They are called wisdom teeth because they grow in when people are more mature, unlike regular teeth that erupt in the early years of life. Wisdom teeth could be valuable or problematic depending on how healthy or aligned they are.
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Misaligned wisdom teeth may be positioned horizontally or angled toward or away from the second molars. They may also be angled inward or outward. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can result in crowding or damage to the adjacent teeth, the jawbone, or the nerves. Wisdom teeth may also be impacted, which means they are enclosed within the soft tissue, only partially breaking through.
Impacted wisdom teeth may collide with the roots of the adjacent molars and produce extreme pain. During the process of eruption, the wisdom teeth can also wear down the adjacent teeth, causing various dental issues.
There are times when wisdom teeth grow in fully without causing any discomfort. Many people keep their wisdom teeth simply because they do not pose any problems or pain. Many dentists insist that wisdom teeth be removed even if they do not cause problems. These dentists contend that the teeth are hard to reach and clean, making them susceptible to tooth decay.
When an individual decides to have his or her wisdom teeth removed, the dentist or oral surgeon can extract them with relative ease, depending on their stage of development and position. Your Davis County family dentist can give you an idea of what to expect during the pre-extraction exam and the actual tooth removal process.
Removing fully erupted wisdom teeth is similar to extracting regular teeth. However, if the wisdom teeth are embedded in the jawbone or underneath the gums, the extraction will be more complex and difficult. The procedure will require an incision into the gums to remove a portion of the bone that covers the tooth. There are also instances when the wisdom tooth needs to be extracted in small sections instead of as one piece.
When parts of the bone need to be broken down in order to extract the wisdom tooth, restorative work may be required. Your Davis County cosmetic dentistry professionals can help with the repair.