Wisdom Teeth & Extractions

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are types of molars found in the very back of your mouth that usually appear in the late teens or early twenties. Extraction becomes necessary when these teeth become impacted due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry, causing gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth can also be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease.

Wisdom teeth extraction is typically done in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier as well as shorten the recovery time.

For extraction, your dentist will first numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. If the impacted tooth is still under the gums and embedded in your jaw bone, your dentist will need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth. In order to minimize the amount of bone that is removed with the tooth, your dentist will often "section" your wisdom tooth so that each piece can be removed through a small opening in the bone. Depending on the degree of difficulty related to the extraction, healing time will vary, but your dentist will let you know what to expect and provide instructions for a comfortable healing process.

Extractions

If tooth decay or disease has left teeth so damaged that one can no longer restore them, your dentist may recommend their removal.

Extractions are often performed to make room for dental implants or bridges that will help keep teeth in place. After the tooth is removed, you'll need to wear a space maintainer until the area has healed completely. Within six months of extraction, most spaces close up by 80 percent.