Did you spend years in braces so that you could get a straighter smile? Do you want to maintain the results of orthodontic treatment throughout the rest of your years? If so, you should schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon to learn more about wisdom teeth removal.
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
“Wisdom teeth” is actually colloquial speech for “third molars”. The reason these teeth became known as “wisdom” teeth is because these teeth emerge during early adulthood. In the past, when medical and dental care was not advanced or widely available, third molars came in handy when second molars were lost to disease. Today, however, the lifespan of our teeth is much greater due to modern dental practices and public oral health knowledge. Since our first and second molars can last well into our advanced years, third molars are not necessary and the emergence of these teeth is actually detrimental to our oral health.
How many wisdom teeth do people have?
The amount of wisdom teeth a person has depends on genetics. Some people don’t have wisdom teeth at all while others can have up to four of these teeth. It is not out of the ordinary for some people to have one or two wisdom teeth as well.
Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
There are litanies of reasons oral healthcare providers recommend the removal of third molars. The wisdom teeth are the largest in the mouth, which often means that people’s jaws aren’t big enough for them to erupt properly into the correct position. When this occurs, the wisdom teeth become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth continue to try to push through the gums, though. This can force the other teeth out of alignment, eliminating the positive outcomes of orthodontic treatment. Impacted wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, too because they don’t emerge properly. Since these teeth contribute to increased risks for periodontal disease, dental caries, abscesses, TMJ dysfunction, and occlusal problems, their removal can preserve one’s health.
Having impacted wisdom teeth removed in a timely fashion can reduce your risk of undoing all of the good from any orthodontic treatment you had in your teens. You can reduce your risk of a number of other oral health problems by having your wisdom teeth extracted, too.
At Oral Surgery Associates of North Texas, our oral surgeons are experts in performing tooth extractions – especially wisdom teeth. Our practice utilizes anesthetic medicine and the latest technology to facilitate comfortable and positive experiences for patients undergoing wisdom teeth removal.
Consult with an oral surgeon at one of our four convenient oral surgery locations to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted and to discuss wisdom teeth removal.
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