Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Many patients choose to have wisdom teeth removed to help guard against future problems like discomfort, crowding, and infection. However, not every dental professional recommends removing wisdom teeth as a matter of course, and it can be confusing to know whether you need the surgery.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars. Not everyone has wisdom teeth. They are a relic of human history, useful when people had larger jaws and needed another set of molars to chew food.

Reasons to Remove Wisdom Teeth

If you need to remove your wisdom teeth, you may or may not have noticeable symptoms. For patients with wisdom teeth, these teeth typically do not have enough room to erupt properly through the gums. 

Some of the problems wisdom teeth can bring about include:

• Impaction: When a tooth becomes impacted, it cannot fully erupt through the gum. Wisdom teeth frequently become impacted due to lack of space and incorrect positioning.
• Discomfort: When wisdom teeth become caught in the jawbone, they pressure their neighbors. This problem could damage the second molars as well as other teeth.
• Tooth Misalignment: The pressure from impacted wisdom teeth can cause tooth crowding in other mouth areas.
• Infection: Wisdom teeth may partially erupt and become infected. Abscesses can develop in the gums and bony areas.

Reasons to Leave Wisdom Teeth Alone

• Not Causing Problems: If your oral surgeon thoroughly examines your teeth and determines your wisdom teeth are not causing any problems, they may leave them alone.
• Surgical Procedure: While wisdom teeth surgery is generally well-tolerated with a brief recovery period, not every patient is healthy enough for surgery.

How Does the Oral Surgeon Determine Whether I Need Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Referral From Your General Dentist

General dentists often recommend wisdom teeth removal based on digital X-ray results. We work with trusted local general dentists to provide this service.

Cone Beam CT Scanner

The oral surgeon will use an advanced X-ray machine called the Cone Beam CT Scanner to fully examine the anatomy of your head, neck, teeth, and oral structures. A 3-D digital model of your anatomy helps the oral surgeon diagnose issues precisely.

Predicting Future Problems

Even if your wisdom teeth have not yet caused trouble, Dr. Braasch can assess whether they will likely create problems in the future.

The Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure

Wisdom teeth surgery can be intimidating, but oral surgeons want to make it as comfortable as possible. Today, most wisdom teeth surgeries happen under sedation. The patient can choose the sedation method based on personal preference.

To remove the teeth, the oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gum and opens the bone to remove the tooth. The tooth may need sectioning into pieces to remove it from the jaw. You may receive dissolving stitches in the area where the surgeon removed your wisdom teeth.

After you recover from sedation, a trusted adult must drive you home. You should rest quietly for at least a few days. Follow our post-operative instructions carefully for the best results.

The Best Time to Remove Wisdom Teeth

Many oral surgeons believe that the best time to remove wisdom teeth is in a patient's late teens to early twenties. The permanent adult dentition is complete at this age, and the patient has mostly stopped growing.

Patients at this age have an easier time recovering from surgery than patients in their thirties, forties, and beyond. Minor complications like dry sockets are less common in younger patients.

Is it Better to Remove Wisdom Teeth or Leave Them Alone?

Dr. Braasch believes wisdom teeth should only be removed if they risk causing oral health problems. However, removing wisdom teeth earlier is easier than doing the procedure in later life. With Dr. Braasch and your general dentist, you can make an informed decision for yourself or your child.

Call Braasch OMS

If you have questions about the wisdom teeth removal process and whether you are a good candidate, please call our Bedford, NH, office at 603-657-1984. We will schedule a consultation with Dr. Braasch to evaluate your oral health and whether he believes you would be better off removing your wisdom teeth.