By now, if you have fully transitioned into an older age, there is no way you have not heard about wisdom teeth and the need for extraction. Wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the rear of your mouth, which usually emerge during one’s late teens or early twenties. Is it, however, a must to get rid of them? Many people are able to reach old age without having wisdom teeth disorders, but to others, extraction becomes necessary either due to aging or some other dental condition.
This article will explain when and why the extraction is made, the situations in which an extraction is absolutely necessary, and also it will help you realize, that indeed this is the right decision for your oral health.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are basically the third molars that one has, located far back in the mouth. Normally, these teeth come out when a person reaches the age of 17-25. While wisdom teeth were very useful in the oral cavity for our forefathers—helping them to handle tough foods like tubers and uncooked meat—today’s diets are softer, and these teeth are no longer very functional. Since the food people eat is soft, we don’t need these teeth anymore. Wisdom teeth, therefore, may come out at the wrong angle and cause issues related to space.
When Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?
Although not everyone needs removal of their wisdom teeth, there are reasons why you might have to consider it:
1. Impaction
While there are various reasons for the extraction of wisdom teeth, one of these is impaction, which is also the most common cause. This means that a wisdom tooth only partially erupts through the gum or it does not emerge at all, and it grows toward other teeth creating pain, and infection. Furthermore, teeth that remain in bone impactions can also obstruct an eruption.
2. Infection or Gum Disease
When the third molars fail to be fully erupted, they establish a direct path through the gum, making it an entrance point for the bacteria to cling to and enter the bloodstream. In these cases, the patient is expected to experience infection or gum disease that will lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty in opening the mouth. If left untreated, such infections will spread and result in more serious health issues.
3. Crowding or Misalignment
In certain situations, wisdom teeth may provoke the crowding of other teeth. Consequently, during their aggressive eruption, they may press against adjacent teeth which results most likely misaligned teeth. Particularly, those individuals who are aware of having once been at the orthodontist may have a quite difficult time: First, the wisdom teeth would be able to undo all the prior beautiful work via braces and the latter became straightened teeth and now are crooked.
4. Cysts or Tumors
On rare occasions, wisdom teeth located in a wrong position that have not fully emerged can be the cause of cysts or tumors that form in the jaw. The tumor and cyst can affect the teeth, bones, and nerves thereby creating the need for wisdom teeth removal so as to eliminate these risks of developing the health problems or making the existing situations worse.
5. Pain and Discomfort
If your wisdom teeth are no longer able to withstand the intense pain and discomfort coming from them, then their removal is the only solution. The wisdom teeth may cause a dull ache at the back of the mouth even if they are neither infected nor impacted due to the pressure from the other teeth. Removal is the better way to give the sufferer relief and avoid pain in the coming period.
When Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Not Necessary?
Most people are of the opinion that, in the majority of cases, wisdom teeth do not need to be removed, especially so when they are having no troubles, are fully out of the jaw, and so forth. If your wisdom teeth are:
- Completely erupted and with proper alignment
- Not due to pain or discomfort
- Very easy to keep clean and care for with regular brushing and flossing
Regular dental check-ups can help ensure that your wisdom teeth are not causing any issues; if they are. Then there may be no need to have them removed. The doctor or oral surgeon will first numb the region or will even give you a safe sedative under which he/she can operate more complex cases during the extraction of the wisdom teeth.
If such teeth that are trapped and need to be removed, a cut on the gum is needed in order to reach the tooth, and in many cases, the tooth may need to be divided into smaller parts to complete the removal without difficulty.
The pain in the area will be accompanied by a little bit of swelling and bleeding which are normal parts of the recovery period. Moreover, patients will be given painkillers and they should be concerned about post-operative care instructions in order to guarantee that the recovery moves in the right direction.
What Could Be The Possible Problems If One Decides Not To Extract The Wisdom Teeth?
It is a reality that in some cases the choice of not extracting wisdom teeth can come with a number of complications afterwards. A few of the known problems are as follows:
- Unpleasant Sensations or Infection: The presence of impacted or incompletely erupted wisdom teeth can promote infections and result in pain and swelling of the area.
- Destruction of Other Teeth: The movement of the wisdom teeth that are in an abnormal position may force the movement of the neighboring teeth and it also can break the roots of these teeth.
- Gum Disease or Tooth Decay: Molars that appear difficult to clean may bring diseases and cavities to you if they become a source of bacteria.
Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary for Everyone?
Wisdom teeth removal is not necessary for everybody. When a dentist knows that you have fully developed wisdom teeth, no cavities, and the teeth are in the correct position, he or she may decide to keep an eye on the teeth through regular check-ups instead of removing them. But if any of your wisdom teeth are impacted, causing pain, crowding, or other problems, they need to be pulled out to avoid recurrent health issues.
Conclusively, not all people should have their wisdom teeth extracted though if anyone feels unpleasant pain, has an abscess, or the teeth grow in crooked, then the surgery to remove the unnecessary teeth is necessary. If you are not sure about the necessity of the removal of your third molars, it is always good to refer to a dentist or an oral surgeon who will be able to assess your individual situation.
At Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, we have a dedicated team of dental experts who can get the best solution for your oral health. You can call and book an appointment today if you decide to have the wisdom teeth removed or wish to discuss another dental issue.
Yes, if your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, and not causing any issues, there may be no need to remove them.
Wisdom teeth should be removed if they are impacted, causing pain, infection, misalignment, or other dental issues. Regular dental visits can help determine if removal is necessary.
Yes, if wisdom teeth are impacted or left untreated, they can lead to infections, gum disease, misalignment, and even cysts or tumors.
In some cases, wisdom teeth that are fully erupted and easy to remove may be taken out with minimal intervention, but most wisdom teeth removal procedures require minor surgery.
