Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of your mouth. They don’t always need to be removed, but they can cause problems if they are not growing in properly. We provide advanced state-of-the-art oral surgery and wisdom teeth removal. If you’re struggling with your wisdom teeth, please call us for a consultation.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Dentist
in High Point, NC
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars. They come in anywhere between the ages of 15 and 25 and are known to cause issues with many patients’ oral health. We can visually examine your wisdom teeth (if they have erupted) or use X-ray imaging to assess if they need to be removed.
Having your wisdom teeth extracted may seem like a rite of passage, but that’s not always the case. Depending on the shape of your mouth, the size of your teeth, and the position of your third molars, a wisdom teeth removal procedure is determined on a case-by-case basis. Proactive wisdom tooth removal can help to reduce the risk of problems such as crowded teeth, TMJ problems, infection, tooth decay, and damage to adjacent teeth.
Due to their position in the bone and against adjacent teeth, wisdom teeth can harm the healthy teeth next to them. Additionally, third molars are pretty difficult to keep clean. So, even with good oral hygiene, your wisdom teeth may develop an infection. Instead of treating them with gum infection therapy or a filling, removing the teeth for proactive purposes is typically the standard of care.
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How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
While every patient is different, some common signs indicate the need to have your wisdom teeth removed. These signs include:
- Impaction, i.e., if the tooth is stuck under the gums or is completely hidden. If wisdom teeth can’t emerge usually, they can become trapped within your jaw, which can result in infection or cause a cyst that can damage other teeth or roots.
- Changing bite alignment—wisdom teeth can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes horizontally, and this can cause a change in your bite alignment.
- Crowding or damage to existing teeth caused by wisdom teeth not having enough room to come in properly.
- Emerging only partially—if your wisdom teeth only partially emerge through the gums, it can cause a magnet for bacteria that can cause gum disease and oral infection.
Many dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth early, before the roots and bone fully form and when recovery is faster.
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How do I relieve wisdom tooth pain?
Wisdom teeth generally come in between the ages of 17 and 25. As they grow up through your jawbone and begin to break through your gumline, they may become inflamed or bleed. These occurrences could cause headaches or tooth pain. Below are some remedies to relieve wisdom tooth pain:
- Rinse with salt water
- Use peppermint essential oils or clover oil to soothe pain
- Take aspirin or an over-the-counter pain reliever
- Apply an ice pack or heating pad to your cheeks
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What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
When a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to come in normally, it is considered an impacted wisdom tooth. Depending on where the teeth lie within the jaw, there are several degrees of impacted wisdom teeth. Soft tissue impaction occurs when the tooth’s crown has penetrated the bone, but the gum still covers part of the tooth. When the tooth has partially erupted, but a part of the tooth remains submerged in the jawbone, this is considered partially bony impaction. Complete bony impaction occurs when the jawbone entirely encases the tooth.
Read: What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
More Questions?
If you have any additional questions about wisdom teeth, the removal process, or if you're unsure if it's time to have your wisdom teeth removed—contact us today!
