About Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth were important to our ancestors, who likely used these molars to tear into uncooked fruits and nuts. Over time, jaws became smaller, making the eruption of wisdom teeth literally a pain to many of us. A small percentage of people have jaws that are large enough to accommodate these teeth, but most people need to have wisdom teeth removed.

Identification

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars and are the last set of teeth to erupt. Because these teeth erupt in most people in their late teens or early twenties, a timeframe that was once known as the "age of wisdom," they are called wisdom teeth.

Features

In people with small jaws, wisdom teeth may never fully erupt and may become impacted. Impaction occurs when there is insufficient space for a new tooth in the mouth. Even though there is no room for the tooth to erupt, it will continue to try to push forward, potentially damaging other teeth and their roots. In some cases, infections can develop because of impacted teeth or cysts can form in the sac surrounding a wisdom tooth.
If there is room for the wisdom teeth, they may not come in straight and may need to be removed because they are pushing against adjacent teeth. Even wisdom teeth that come in perfectly straight can cause problems. A study by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons found that these teeth may be just as likely to develop disease as those that are impacted.

Considerations

Removal of wisdom teeth is performed by dentists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. If your dentist does not routinely perform this type of surgery or if your removal will be particularly difficult, you will be referred to a surgeon. Depending on the severity of the problem, surgery is performed in a dental office or in a hospital or surgical center. The surgery may be covered by either your dental or health insurance.

Prevention/Solution

The length of surgery will depend on the size and position of the wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth require a more complicated extraction procedure, as part of the bone preventing the tooth from erupting will need to be removed. Wisdom teeth have two or three roots and your dentist will probably need to break the tooth into several sections for easier removal. After surgery, the affected area will be sore and swollen and pain medication and ice will be prescribed. You will be instructed to eat soft food for a few days until your gums start to heal.

Warning

Waiting until your wisdom teeth begin to hurt before considering removal is a bad idea, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Early removal results in a better outcome and quicker removal, as teeth are easier to remove if their roots are softer and have not formed completely. Ignoring impacted wisdom teeth can eventually result in nerve damage in the affected side of the face.

Resources

• WebMD - wisdom teeth
• American Dental Association