Wisdom Teeth: Do You Really Need Them?

You get through childhood, lose your baby teeth, grow a perfectly respectable set of adult teeth, and then your mouth has one more surprise for you.

Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the teeth at the very back of your mouth, behind your second molars. They typically show up between the ages of 17 and 25. And while some people have enough room for all four to come in without causing trouble, many people simply don’t have the space. 

Your jaw only has so much room.

Sometimes wisdom teeth come in without a problem. Other times, they cause trouble.

When there isn’t enough room for a wisdom tooth to erupt normally, it can become impacted (meaning it gets stuck in the soft tissue or jawbone instead of coming in fully). Sometimes a wisdom tooth is completely stuck, and other times part of it makes it out. Neither situation is particularly ideal.

Impacted wisdom teeth can mean pain, crowding, damage to surrounding teeth, and infection. When a wisdom tooth only partially emerges, the opening gives bacteria a way in, which can lead to infection, swelling, jaw stiffness, decay (and feeling downright miserable!) A fully impacted tooth that isn’t cared for can also lead to cyst formation.

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Have to Come Out?

Not necessarily. But when there isn’t enough space, removing them can prevent the problems that can come with impacted or partially erupted teeth.

At Advance Dentistry, wisdom teeth are generally recommended for removal before the roots have fully developed, which is typically during the late teenage years or early twenties.

Of course, every mouth is different. The first step is figuring out what’s actually going on.

You Don’t Have to White-Knuckle It

If you’ve been dreading wisdom teeth removal, you are exactly the kind of patient No Fear Dentistry was created for.

We use I.V. sedation to help take the fear and anxiety out of dental treatment. We don’t ask you to be brave while someone works on your teeth; we just want to keep your smile healthy.  

With I.V. sedation, you’re in a tranquil state of mind. During treatment, you’ll feel nothing and have virtually no memory of the procedure afterward. That can make a very big difference for someone when treatment feels overwhelming.

Experience Matters, Too

Wisdom teeth removal may be a routine procedure, but that doesn’t mean your experience should feel routine. Advance Dentistry has more than 40 years of experience with dental extractions and tooth removal, along with a compassionate approach focused on patient comfort and peace of mind.

That combo matters.

You want a dental team that knows what it’s doing. You also want a team that understands that walking into the office can be the hardest part for some patients. At No Fear Dentist, those two things go hand in hand.

Let’s Make Wisdom Teeth Removal Easy

If your wisdom teeth need to come out, you deserve to understand what’s happening, and a plan that you feel good about.

And if you feel nervous, you deserve an experience built around that reality. That’s why we exist.

Let’s get you through your procedure feeling completely at ease. Your wisdom teeth may be determined to cause trouble. Your dental visit doesn’t have to.