Wisdom Teeth – What Are They and Why Do I Need Them Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that appear between the ages of 17 and 25.

Some people have only 2 wisdom teeth while others have 4.

A very few people have no wisdom teeth at all – a trait caused by evolution.

Although most dentists recommend wisdom tooth removal, the procedure should only be done if the teeth are going to cause a problem.

Since the wisdom teeth are the last 4 to emerge, there’s often less space in the jaw bone for them to develop properly.

They end up coming out at an angle or they stay impacted in the jawbone. Since they’re located right at the back of the mouth, people also find them difficult to clean.

Wisdom teeth end up trapping a lot of food particles and ultimately decay over a period of time, destroying the neighbouring teeth as they deteriorate.

Wisdom teeth that are misaligned or impacted are best removed because they serve no purpose in the oral cavity.

Are You a Candidate for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

If your wisdom teeth are coming out at an angle or if they have started to decay, the surgery may be ideal for you.

Patients who are about to get their teeth straightened also chose to undergo wisdom teeth removal surgery before using orthodontics.

This is because wisdom teeth put pressure on neighbouring teeth as they erupt, causing misalignment and bite problems.

Moreover, it’s easier to extract wisdom teeth before the roots firmly grip the jawbone, so patients often choose to undergo this procedure when the teeth first erupt.

Wisdom Tooth Problems

Patients who have impacted or malpositioned wisdom teeth tend to suffer from cavities, gum inflammation, cysts, and toothache.

Some patients also experience jaw stiffness along with pain or irritation along the cheek. Teeth located right next to the wisdom teeth are more likely to develop gum problems.

Gum infections need to be addressed at the earliest opportunity. If left untreated they could cause permanent tooth and nerve damage.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

All 4 teeth can be extracted in one sitting which could last up to 2 hours. Although the surgery is routinely performed, it often requires the expertise of a dental surgeon.

Your dentist will tell you if you need to go to a dental surgeon after assessing the position of your wisdom teeth and their proximity to the nerve.

You can ask for oral or IV sedation depending on how nervous you are. Once the pain-killers and sedatives are administered, you won’t feel any pain during the extraction.

You will only hear the instruments and feel the pressure of the tools being used.

Better Smiles at Epsom Dental Care Applecross

If your wisdom teeth are coming out and you have questions concerning them, talk to our team of professional dentists at Epsom Dental Care Applecross.

Your Applecross dentist is accredited to two-day surgery facilities in Applecross.

This means you can choose to have your wisdom teeth removed under general anaesthesia at one of these day surgery units. We aim to offer you the best dental health services at our friendly practice.

Apart from wisdom tooth extractions, we offer dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics. We also accept emergency dental bookings.

If you have any questions about our services, we are happy to answer any questions and also schedule you an appointment. Simply contact us online or call (08) 9316 0555.

We are located at 729 Canning Hwy in Applecross WA.