If wisdom teeth are so wise, why do they cause so many problems? Usually, it’s because these back molars are the last teeth to emerge, and often there’s just not enough room for them to erupt normally.
As a result, a lot of wisdom teeth get stuck under neighboring teeth, emerge sideways, or cause other problems that can lead to pain and an increased risk of infection. That’s why so many wisdom teeth need to be extracted.
Brandon Kang, DDS, and our team at Pacific Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center in Oakland, California, routinely perform wisdom tooth extraction using the most advanced methods for optimal results and the least amount of discomfort.
Here, learn when removal is necessary and when it’s OK to take a wait-and-see approach.
Late eruption is probably the most common trigger for most wisdom tooth problems. Once your other molars have emerged, it’s not uncommon to have very little space left in your jaw, leaving your wisdom teeth in a tight spot — literally.
Crowding often leads to impaction or abnormal eruption, including angled or sideways eruptions that result in considerable chronic pain in your teeth, jaws, and face.
Without proper treatment, impacted teeth can develop serious infections that can spread through your jawbone and throughout the rest of your body. In these instances, extraction is the right choice.
Even when there’s room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth, they can still cause problems. That’s because wisdom teeth are located far back, near your jaw hinges, making them notoriously difficult to clean.
While brushing and flossing can keep decay away in most teeth, the location of your wisdom teeth makes them breeding grounds for bacteria, decay, and infection.
If your wisdom teeth are decayed, extraction is often preferred over fillings to prevent decay from returning. But even if your wisdom teeth don’t have cavities, we may recommend extraction to prevent decay and infection in the future.
If your jaw is larger or you have smaller teeth, there may be plenty of room for your wisdom teeth, and they may be easily reached with brushing and flossing. Your wisdom teeth may not have any problems, like discomfort or tartar buildup.
In these instances, it may be perfectly OK to take a wait-and-see approach, monitoring your wisdom teeth so they can be treated if problems do develop.
Lots of people are nervous about wisdom teeth extraction and the potential for discomfort, both during and after the procedure. While it’s perfectly normal to be a little nervous, we take extra care to keep you comfortable.
Before your extraction, Dr. Kang uses a local anesthetic and sedation to prevent pain and help you stay relaxed throughout your procedure. In fact, sedation helps you sleep through the entire process, so you won’t have any discomfort at all.
If you’re worried about postoperative pain, he offers a special, long-lasting anesthetic administered at the end of your extraction. This medication prevents pain for a prolonged period afterward, helping you rest and heal comfortably.
Over-the-counter and prescription pain medicines can also help, along with the application of ice. You’ll receive complete aftercare instructions before leaving our office, including what foods to eat and how to clean the extraction area.
If your wisdom teeth are causing your problems or even if they’re not (yet), Dr. Kang and our team can evaluate your teeth and help you decide if extraction is the best choice for your oral health and comfort. Book an appointment with Dr. Kang online or over the phone today.
