Questions About Wisdom Teeth

Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, CA

Why don’t wisdom teeth grow in correctly?

The shape of your mouth is often too small to accommodate wisdom teeth, which first begin to surface between the ages of 15 and 25. History reveals that over time as humans learned to use fire for cooking food and make blade tools more advanced, they lessened their need for strong jaws to chew and eat with. Studies of ancient skull specimens show that a full set of teeth in a smaller jaw led to crowding of permanent teeth because there was not ample space.

What are "impacted" wisdom teeth?

When your wisdom teeth do not have room to grow, or they have not assumed their final position by the time you reach 25, they are considered “impacted” or have no place to go and are done growing. If you have a full set of healthy teeth, there is often little, if any, room for wisdom teeth. In addition, if your teeth have partially erupted, this creates a high risk of infection, as germs and bacteria can collect and cause cysts to grown on trapped wisdom teeth. This can also lead to pain in your jaw and gum disease.

When is removal necessary?

You should not wait until your wisdom teeth bother you to get them checked out. Early removal is recommended to avoid problems like an impacted tooth that can cause damage to your second molar. It is also easier to remove wisdom teeth on people younger than age 16. The healing is also quicker on younger patients. X-rays are used to evaluate the condition of your wisdom teeth. Your second molars should be visible in order to lessen the chance of damaging these essential teeth during surgery. They are usually visible by age 11 or 12.

What if I don't have any symptoms?

If you suffer from pain, swelling, and/or infection you should have your wisdom teeth removed immediately. However, even if you do not have any symptom, you can avoid the chance of ever suffering from the pain of impacted wisdom teeth by having them removed. Asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth also should be removed to decrease the risk of cavities, periodontal disease, bone shrinkage and tumor development.

What is dry socket?

Dry socket is the most common post-operative complication from wisdom tooth extractions. This condition occurs when the newly formed blood clot in the extraction site does not form correctly or is prematurely lost. This blood clot is the foundation for new tissue and bone to develop over a two-month healing process. Ladies who take oral contraceptives are at a higher risk of developing dry socket after wisdom teeth removal because of high levels of estrogen.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or discomfort, or if you are a young adult, please contact our office today for a free initial consultation. Serving the residents of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, our talented and knowledgeable staff can help you determine whether it is time to remove your wisdom teeth to avoid future problems.