Removal of the wisdom teeth is one of the most common major dental procedures. About 85 percent of wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, must at some point be removed, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. When left to grow, they can create severe dental problems.
The Basics
Early humans ate a steady diet of foods that were harder to chew than what modern humans are accustomed to. Their teeth wore down more quickly and shifted position, allowing more space for the wisdom teeth, which typically erupt between ages 17 and 25 -- older and wiser than when the rest of your adult teeth come in.
When to Have Surgery
Given the lack of extra space in modern humans' mouths, wisdom teeth rarely grow in straight. Instead, they frequently become impacted, meaning their way is blocked by gum or bone tissue or another tooth. The potential results are infection, pain, damage to adjacent teeth or roots, and crowding. In a few cases, a fluid-filled cyst forms around the tooth and can require serious surgery.
The dental profession generally recommends having your wisdom teeth removed by your late teens or early 20s, when they tend to erupt or become impacted. Regular dental X-rays often reveal wisdom teeth that have yet to erupt but are likely to cause problems eventually. With time the teeth grow larger, their roots extend, and the surgery and recovery become more difficult, so waiting until age 25 or older may be too late to avoid problems.
Older patients also face a higher risk of gum disease and other problems in the tissues near the wisdom teeth, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation. Dr. Dan Peterson, a Nebraska dentist, writes on his practice Web site that age 16 or 17 is a good time for wisdom tooth extraction because the jaw bone is softer, so there is less likelihood of nerve damage or other damage.
The Procedure
Wisdom tooth removal can usually be done in the surgeon's office. Depending on how complicated the doctor thinks the procedure will be, your overall health, and your preference, the operation may be performed under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. How the tooth is positioned, how developed its root is, and whether it is impacted largely determine how difficult the procedure will be.
Wisdom tooth extraction is to be taken seriously. It requires an incision in the gum and, quite often, the removal of bone. Sometimes, to get the tooth out, the surgeon must break it into pieces.
Expect soreness and swelling for two to five days after surgery. You'll likely be sent home with pain medication. Cold compresses may help, as well. Just as importantly, get plenty of rest and stick to a diet of soft foods such as mashed potatoes and soup. Follow your surgeon's instructions for cleaning the mouth.
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