Do Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Extracted?

Wisdom teeth are the third and last molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. They are also the final teeth to erupt and usually come in when a person is in their late teens or early twenties.  Before wisdom teeth are about to erupt, you may feel swelling and your gums tender near the back of your mouth.  Although this sounds similar to what a baby may experience when it's teething, there are a number of side effects that would deem it necessary to extract your wisdom teeth.

The most common conditions include pain, infection, damage to adjacent teeth, gum disease, cysts, and tooth decay.  Unfortunately, it's quite common for people to experience complications with their wisdom teeth.  If your wisdom teeth don't have the proper room to erupt, they may become impacted in your bone.  This means that instead of the tooth erupting in an upward position, The tooth will remain developing irregularly and place pressure on the tooth in front of it.  This can lead to possible crowding, improper bite alignment, infection, and additional complications as well.

Sometimes a wisdom tooth will be able to partially erupt, but this may lead to a condition called pericoronitis.  This is when bacteria become trapped in the space between the impacted tooth and the gum.

It's important that you consult with our expert doctor at Table Mountain Dental to determine if it's necessary for you to remove your wisdom teeth.  If your wisdom teeth pose no complications or problems, they can remain right where they are.  But, if they are presenting problems, it's best to take them out.  Our dental experts can consult with you about what's best for your particular situation.  You will need to receive an updated X-ray to view the teeth, if they are impacted, and determine their eruption patterns so Dr. Cardon can advise you how to best move forward.  Oftentimes, dentists will recommend having wisdom teeth extracted at a younger age because the roots of these teeth are not fully developed.  This makes for a safer extraction and allows for the removal of the four wisdom teeth at once without inhibiting proper biting, eating or talking.  At Table Mountain Dental, we offer a variety of treatments to offer a painless and comfortable experience while having your wisdom teeth removed.  Whether you chose local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or sleeping peacefully under deep-sleep sedation, we have options for you to make sure you're as comfortable as possible.  It's always a great idea to gather your thoughts and questions before a consultation to ensure you get all of your questions answered.  Here are a few question ideas from WebMD to help you get started.  Call Alanna at 720-749-2711 to schedule your consult today.  We look forward to speaking with you!