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Your third molars, more commonly known as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of your 32 adult teeth to erupt. They typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, located at the back of your mouth on both the upper and lower jaws, near the throat. The term "wisdom" teeth suggests they appear at an age often associated with greater maturity or "wisdom."
Often, the mouth lacks sufficient space for wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, a tooth can become impacted, meaning it's trapped in an unfavorable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage to adjacent teeth, and in some cases, cysts or tumors.
Impaction can be classified into different types, or degrees, based on how deep the tooth is within the jawbone:
Soft Tissue Impaction
The top part of the tooth (the crown) has broken through the bone, but the gum tissue (gingiva) still covers part or all of it and hasn't positioned itself correctly. This makes cleaning difficult, allowing food to get trapped under the gum, potentially leading to infection and/or tooth decay, resulting in pain and swelling.
Partial Bony Impaction
The tooth has partially erupted, but a portion of the crown remains submerged below the gum line and the surrounding jawbone.
Complete Bony Impaction
The tooth is entirely encased within the jawbone. Removing these teeth requires more complex surgical techniques.
Why wisdom teeth might need to be removed
While not all wisdom teeth require extraction, removal is most often recommended due to an existing issue such as pain, swelling, decay, or infection, or as a preventative measure to avoid future serious problems. If one or more wisdom teeth are impacted and left untreated, several potentially harmful outcomes can occur, including:
- Damage to nearby teeth: The second molars (the teeth directly in front of the wisdom teeth) can be negatively affected by impacted wisdom teeth, potentially leading to cavities, gum disease, and bone loss.
- Disease: Although uncommon, cysts and tumors can form in the areas surrounding impacted wisdom teeth.
- Infection: Bacteria and food can become trapped under the gum tissue, leading to an infection that can cause significant pain and be dangerous.
- Lack of space for proper growth: When there isn't enough room for the wisdom teeth to emerge fully and become functional chewing teeth, extraction may be considered.
Wisdom teeth examination
As with any dental procedure, your dentist will first perform a thorough examination of your wisdom teeth and the surrounding area. Panoramic or digital x-rays will be taken to assess the position of the wisdom teeth and determine if a current problem exists or the likelihood of future problems. These x-rays can also reveal additional risk factors, such as deterioration or decay of nearby teeth. Early evaluation and treatment (typically in the mid-teen years) are recommended to identify potential problems and improve the results for patients needing wisdom teeth extractions. Only after a comprehensive examination can your dentist provide you with the best treatment options for your individual case.
What does the removal of wisdom teeth involve?
Wisdom teeth removal is a common surgical procedure, usually performed under local anesthesia, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia by a specially trained dentist in an office surgery suite. You will not need to stay overnight in the hospital and will be given post-operative instructions and medication (if necessary) to help manage any swelling or discomfort.
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