How Do You Know When You Need Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars from the back that people use for grinding food. For most people, these are the last permanent teeth to erupt. While most adults have four of these teeth, others have less or more. Others do not develop them at all.

You might get confused when your dentist recommends pulling out your wisdom teeth even if they do not hurt. However, just because they do not cause you any pain does not mean nothing is wrong. Many factors could result in the need for wisdom teeth surgery.

When Is the Surgery Unnecessary?

After proper dental examination by your dentist, he or she can determine whether wisdom teeth surgery is necessary. However, there is no need to perform the procedure if your teeth are perfectly healthy.

Additionally, if the teeth bite properly with their opposing teeth and are correctly positioned, they should not be extracted. If they are fully erupted and show no issues, they should be left intact. Also, there should be no reason for the surgery if you can clean them properly as part of your daily hygienic routine.

When Surgery May Be Necessary

More often than not, however, wisdom teeth cause problems when they do not have room to grow properly. When they are erupting, they can grow at varied angles in the jaw. Some of the issues involve:

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

These are wisdom teeth that remain entirely within your gums. If you experience such a condition, you might need wisdom teeth surgery. When you have trapped (impacted) wisdom teeth, it can lead to infection. This can result in a cyst and weaken your bone support. It can also damage other teeth roots.

Partial Eruption

It might be necessary to undergo wisdom teeth surgery if they emerge partially through your gums. Partially erupted wisdom teeth are hard to access when cleaning. This can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause oral infections and gum disease.

Crowding

Wisdom teeth that tend to crowd nearby teeth should be extracted. If they do not have sufficient room to fit when erupting, you should eliminate them. This is because they will crowd and even damage nearby teeth.

Dentists recommend the removal of wisdom teeth at a tender age. This is because, at this stage, the roots and bone support are not yet fully formed. This ensures fewer complications during surgery and quicker recovery.

Other Symptoms to Look Out for

In addition to the abovenamed issues, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the removal of wisdom teeth if you experience certain changes. These include:

• Repeated soft tissue infection in the region behind the last lower teeth.
• General gum pain.
• Development of tumors or sacs full of fluid (cysts).
• Development of gum disease.
• If nearby teeth begin to get damaged.
• Development of excessive tooth decay.

The decision to undergo wisdom teeth surgery can be confusing. This is why it is vital to consult a dentist on the matter.

For more on wisdom teeth surgery, visit Oral Surgical Associates at our office in Missoula or Hamilton, Montana. You can also call (406) 282-8768 to schedule an appointment.