The Trouble with Third Molars

Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt into your mouth. They will usually make their debut by your late teens or early twenties. Some people don’t have wisdom teeth. Other people’s third molars grow in normally with no problems, just like their other teeth. Unfortunately, many people suffer from impacted wisdom teeth. Impaction occurs when there isn’t enough room inside the mouth for the teeth to erupt. They may erupt partially or stay trapped inside gum and bone tissues. Impacted teeth may grow in at odd angles and place pressure on other teeth. Impacted third molars can cause a lot of trouble and often are the cause of wisdom teeth removal.
Problems Necessitating Wisdom Teeth Removal
You may need to have your wisdom teeth removed if they cause any of the following problems:

• Wisdom teeth pain
• Infection
• Damage to other teeth
• Presence of a fluid-filled cyst around the tooth
• Bone loss or damage
• Interference with orthodontic treatment plans

Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Experts Disagree
When wisdom teeth aren’t causing problems, they are sometimes left in place. Dentists don’t always agree on whether or not wisdom teeth removal should be used as a preventative measure. Some specialists feel there is not enough evidence proving that impacted teeth will cause future problems, so the risks are not worth it. Proponents of prophylactic tooth extraction make the following arguments:

• Future problems with impacted teeth are difficult, if not impossible, to predict.
• Even without producing symptoms, an impacted tooth could be harboring disease.
• Having intact wisdom teeth increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Serious complications of wisdom teeth removal are rare in young adults.
• If you wait and remove impacted teeth later in life, the risk of surgical complications is much higher.

Every person’s dental situation is unique. If you have wisdom teeth pain, consult your dentist to determine whether a tooth extraction is the best course of action.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Detroit, call Gentle Dental of Michigan today at or make an appointment.