Wisdom Teeth Assessment and Extraction
Your wisdom teeth are your last set of adult teeth. Sometimes there isn't room for these large molars to grow, so they need to be removed before they can damage your other teeth.
What Are My Wisdom Teeth and Why Do They Need to Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth are third molars that grow at the back of the jaw in your teenage years. Humans have evolved to have smaller jaws, which means there isn't always room in your mouth for wisdom teeth to grow. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Poorly positioned or impacted wisdom teeth need to be extracted to prevent consequences such as cavities, gum disease, infection, swelling, and even jaw fracture. With an oral exam and xrays, we can evaluate the need for extraction
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dry sockets? How do I know if I develop them?
When a tooth is removed, a blood clot usually forms in the socket left by the tooth. The blood clot covers and protects the bone and nerves in the socket. If the blood clot doesn’t form, the bone and nerves will be exposed, which can be very painful. Talk to your dentist if you feel a bad toothache after your wisdom teeth are removed.
Is it possible that my wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed?
Yes. If your wisdom teeth are growing correctly and there is room to emerge normally, your dentist won’t need to extract them.
Why are they called Wisdom Teeth?
They’re called wisdom teeth because they usually emerge when you are a young adult and (hopefully) wiser.