Some Wisdom About Wisdom Teeth

Have you ever wondered, “Do I need my wisdom teeth?”, “How many wisdom teeth do I have?”, or “Why are they called wisdom teeth?” Historically, these teeth were called “wisdom teeth” because they typically appear at a more mature age, between 17 and 25. These teeth are your third permanent molars. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each quadrant of the mouth.

In some cases, wisdom teeth erupt normally and function like other molars. In other cases, these teeth may be impacted. Being impacted means the teeth are positioned in the bone under your gums. Either there isn’t enough room for these teeth to come in all the way, or they are coming in at such an angle that it’s impossible for them to erupt through your gums.

Not all impacted wisdom teeth will cause problems. Removal is still recommended for many patients, even when they are not experiencing any negative symptoms. Wisdom tooth removal is much easier and less complicated the younger the tooth is. Younger teeth have less developed roots and are less likely to be near nerves. Also, younger people tend to heal better. As teeth age and get integrated into your jaw, they then become more difficult to remove.

Removal is performed either by your dentist or an oral surgeon. If your dentist does not perform oral surgeries, they usually have a trusted local oral surgeon that they work with who they will refer you to. Removing wisdom teeth is a straightforward procedure. If the tooth is erupted through the gums, it will be extracted like any other tooth. If the tooth is impacted, your dentist or oral surgeon may have to make an incision in the gum to access the tooth in the bone. The complexity of removing an impacted tooth is particular to each patient’s situation.

After wisdom teeth removal surgery, most patients experience some pain and swelling for several days. Your dentist or oral surgeon will give you post-operative instructions, like taking Tylenol or using ice packs to help you heal and stay comfortable. You will also get recommendations on the types of soft foods you can eat until you’ve healed enough to chew again.

If you believe you need your wisdom teeth removed, or they are causing you pain, contact us at indigo@indigodentistrycolumbia.com or call us at (803) 736-9991.