The third molars, known to many as wisdom teeth, erupt between the ages of 17 and 21 years old. The average person's mouth will comfortably hold 28 of the 32 teeth we are predisposed to have. Since the wisdom teeth tend to be last teeth to erupt, there is often little room left to accommodate their size and shape.
Wisdom teeth are extracted because:
- They are erupting into a poor position, such as tilted, sideways or twisted.
- They are trapped below the gum line due to lack of space. This can lead to infection issues later in life.
- An infection, known as pericoronitis, has developed from a partially erupted tooth. This can happen due to trapped food, plaque and bacteria.
- The way the patients teeth bite together has changed due to the eruption of teeth, causing misalignment of the jaws.
- The erupted wisdom tooth lacks proper hygiene, because it is hard to reach, resulting in tooth decay. Extraction of the third molars helps stop decay in 2nd molars by allowing better hygiene.
Not all wisdom teeth have to be extracted, but they must be in a good position and able to be cleaned by the patient daily! Wisdom teeth that don't fit this criteria can be removed with local anesthetic with or without sedation. Most patients prefer sedation for this procedure due to the type of procedure and wanting the most comfort. If you have any more questions, we are always ready to answer them!
