Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth have an interesting history. They are a third set of molars that thousands of years ago played an important role in our diets. They were necessary in delivering additional chomping power for the food of the times. Over the centuries we have developed a softer diet and our brains have grown demanding more space. Today somewhere around 35% of the population is born without wisdom teeth and then another 75% to 85% of adults have their wisdom teeth extracted. We’ll review the reasons for wisdom teeth extraction, the methods in doing so and the benefits in having it done.
Why would you need to have your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Wisdom teeth usually erupt through the gumline between the ages of 17 and 25. The dentist has spotted them on x-rays for quite some time and has monitored their progress. Several of the reasons for having your wisdom teeth extracted are:
- Your mouth just isn’t big enough-as we mentioned previously, the arches have grown smaller and we no longer need 32 teeth but just have room for 28. This issue causes serious crowding and can have a negative effect of both your bite pattern and the alignment of your teeth.
- They erupted and they are at an awkward angle-Much like crowding, if they come in crooked, they will push against the neighboring molar creating unnecessary painful pressure.
- Cavities or Gum Disease-If you have a difficult time reaching these molars, they can be susceptible to cavities and even gum disease so this would be a proactive extraction for your overall oral health.
- They don’t erupt-therefore they have stayed impacted below the surface. They can become trapped in your jawbone and create issues with nerve involvement over the years, so it is often a proactive measure to simply take them out surgically.
The different procedures in Extracting Wisdom Teeth
Health industry speculation has over 10 million wisdom teeth extracted every year and an additional 3.5 million surgically removed.
Simple extraction begins with the application of a local anesthesia. Once the immediate area is numb the tooth will be pulled with two small hand-held dental tools, an elevator and forceps. Once the tooth is extracted you will bite on gauze for several minutes to stop any bleeding.
When it comes to an impacted wisdom tooth a sedative will most likely be added to control any anxiety. In less than 45 minutes the dentist will make a small incision in the gums to access the tooth and then proceed with the extraction. Stitches or sutures will close the surgical site and gauze again used to stop the bleeding.
The Benefits of having Wisdom Teeth Extraction
There are some restrictions following a wisdom tooth extraction. You will be advised to not drink anything through a straw for several days and to not inhale a cigarette. The biggest benefit of having the wisdom teeth extracted is peace of mind. They have been removed and will not upset the integrity of the balance of the 28 teeth in your mouth. The number of extractions completed reinforces this thought process.
More Information on Teeth Extraction : Smoking After Teeth Extraction