Wisdom teeth, technically referred to as third molars, are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back part of your mouth. They usually complete development between the ages of 15 and 20, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom.

Wisdom Tooth Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.

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By referring you to our office, your dentist or orthodontist has determined that you will benefit from wisdom tooth removal. In our office, we will confirm this with a complete evaluation and special x-rays of your mouth and jaws. This will determine how much room you have, if any, for your wisdom teeth to erupt.

What is The Best Age To Have Them Removed?

If we recognize that you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to erupt, you should have them removed as soon as possible. In some patients it is as early as age 11 or 12 whereas in others it may not be until 17 or 18 years of age. Generally younger patients heal faster, with more predictable final healing, and have fewer complications than older patients.

Why Should I Have Them Removed?

If you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to fully erupt, a number of problems can arise.
Infection: Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and swallowing.
Damage: If there is inadequate room to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected resulting in gum disease (bone loss) or cavities (technically known as dental caries or decay).
Disease: Certain diseases can also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled "balloons" inside the jawbone that are associated with impacted wisdom teeth. They can slowly expand and destroy adjacent jawbone and teeth. They usually have no symptoms, and can become quite large, making them very difficult to treat. Although rare, tumors can also be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.
Crowding: Many feel that impacted wisdom teeth directly contribute to crowding of your teeth. This is most commonly seen after a patient has had braces and is most noticeable in the front teeth, usually the lower. There are most likely a number of factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces or in early adulthood. Retained, impacted wisdom teeth are likely to play a contributory role.
Unless you have an active problem at the time of your consultation, the reason for removal is primarily preventative to avoid long-term problems.

Related videos: Click on one of the pictures below to start the animation. Click here for software requirements.
What does "impacted" mean?	What problems can wisdom teeth cause? (Part 1)	What problems can wisdom teeth cause? (Part 2)

 

What If I Don't Have Them Removed Now?

Many people, especially in years past, were told to take a "wait and see" approach to wisdom teeth. Many who did not have adequate room developed the localized problems previously mentioned. The problem with this approach is that IF it is necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties, fifties, or beyond, it is clearly more difficult for you as the patient. The post-operative course is usually prolonged and there is a higher complication rate. This is because the predictability of healing decreases with age and the likelihood of infection and delayed healing increases. Treating these complications is more difficult than with a younger patient. Even if you are in the "older" age group and extraction is indicated, on the average you will have fewer complications if you have the teeth removed at this time compared to removing them later.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result - swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jaw bone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Related videos: Click on one of the pictures below to start the animation. Click here for software requirements.
Risks and complications (Part 1)	Risks and complications (Part 2)	Risks and complications (Part 3)

Oral Examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Conover can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid- teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Conover has the training, licensing and experience to provide various types of anesthesia to allow patients to select the best alternative. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment and staff experienced in anesthesia techniques.