Wisdom Teeth Removal
Most people have four wisdom teeth, and for many people, these never cause a problem. But for other people, it can be painful when these teeth emerge. In most cases, our dentist can remove wisdom teeth in the comfort of our Suwanee office. The dentist may refer patients to a Coast Dental oral surgeon for more complicated wisdom teeth extractions.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
“Wisdom teeth” is just another name for your third set of molars. They are typically the last teeth to make their appearance in the mouth. They often start to break through the gum line in people between the ages of 17 and 25. If there is room in the mouth and the teeth are coming in properly positioned, then there is rarely a need to remove the wisdom teeth.
Why Wisdom Teeth May Need to be Removed
Your Suwanee dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth if your jaw is not large enough to accommodate this third set of molars. If your dentist tells you that you have impacted wisdom teeth, it means the teeth are partially or completely trapped beneath the gum line. The wisdom teeth may be pressing against other teeth, which can cause those teeth to shift out of alignment. Impacted wisdom teeth can be painful and can create problems with speaking and eating. Extracting the wisdom teeth is often the best course of action.
If you’re experiencing discomfort, call Coast Dental Suwanee in Suwanee today at (678) 482-2197 to schedule a consultation. X-rays can show whether your wisdom teeth are causing the pain, and your dentist can advise you on whether you need wisdom teeth extractions at our Suwanee office or with an oral surgeon at one of our nearby dental offices.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth, which are third molars, typically begin to appear in people between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. If the jaw is big enough to accommodate these teeth, then there is usually no need to remove the wisdom teeth.
However, if the jaw is not large enough, then the wisdom teeth may not be able to break through the gum line correctly. Impacted wisdom teeth refer to molars that are completely or partially stuck below the gum line. They may crowd the other teeth, shifting them out of position. That can lead to problems with the person’s bite and the person’s ability to speak and chew.
Our Coast Dental Cascade oral surgeon in Atlanta may recommend wisdom teeth extractions for reasons including:
- Your jaw bone is not large enough for the wisdom teeth to emerge from under the gums
- The wisdom teeth are coming through the gums only partway or are coming in at an awkward angle, which can lead to infection
- The impacted wisdom teeth are damaging the jaw bone or other teeth
- The wisdom teeth are leading to sinus pain, pressure, and/or congestion
Wisdom teeth don’t always cause pain, which is why our dentist uses x-rays to monitor how the teeth are coming in. If it looks like the wisdom teeth may cause problems, then the dentist will likely recommend having the wisdom teeth removed when you’re in your late teens or early 20s. That’s because the roots of the wisdom teeth are not fully developed yet, and the bone around the teeth is less dense. Younger people also tend to heal faster than older people.
Whether you need to have your wisdom teeth removed to prevent future problems or alleviate an existing condition, our dentist will be happy to talk to you about any questions you have. Call our Coast Dental office on Cascade Road SW at (678) 891-0069 to schedule a consultation about wisdom teeth extractions.