Wisdom teeth also known as third molars are the last teeth to erupt. Wisdom teeth may become a problem for you as they grow and develop in each corner or your mouth. Problems often develop gradually since development normally spans several years. Nevertheless, these gradual changes can cause sudden and severe pain. Understanding why such things can happen may help you to deal with these problems, or better still, to encourage you to take preventive measures before they occur.
The jaw bone grows to approximately its adult size by your late teens. Unfortunately, that size is often too small to hold developing wisdom teeth. This happens because our jaws are smaller than those of early humans who needed large jaws and more teeth for their tougher diet.
When there is not enough room for your wisdom teeth, they may become impacted, or partially trapped in the jawbone and gums. The crown, or top of the tooth, may erupt, or just break through the gum, or it may remain completely within the bone. The roots can grow in unusual directions and may cause a variety of problems in your mouth and with your sinus cavity or the nerve in your lower jaw. The primary preventive measure for wisdom teeth is removal, preferably at an early stage.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth
A tooth becomes impacted due to lack of space in the dental arch and its eruption is therefore prevented by gum, bone, another tooth or all three. Lack of space occurs because our jaws have become smaller through evolution. We don not lose teeth through decay as frequently as in the past and our diet does not wear down our teeth as much.
Impacted wisdom teeth can grow in a variety of directions. This is illustrated below.
Wisdom Tooth Assessment
Not everyone has problems with their wisdom teeth. Factors that determine whether you will have problems include the size of your jaw and how your wisdom teeth grow. There may be pain and swelling, or you may have no symptoms at all. In addition to actual pain, common problems caused by wisdom teeth can include gum disease, damage to adjacent teeth, crowding, decay, and cysts in the jaw bone.
Since it is not practical for most people to check how their wisdom teeth are developing, the best approach is to visit us for an evaluation. We will review your dental history, take dental X-rays (referral for and orthopantomogram, OPG may be needed), and perform an examination to determine the general health of your mouth and the condition of your wisdom teeth. If a problem with your wisdom teeth is detected, we may recommend surgery to remove them and eliminate or avoid any unpleasant symptoms. Early removal is best for most patients as it usually helps to avoid more serious problems later on. The extraction may be done by Dr Hill or you can be referred to a specialist. Dr Hill will discuss these options with you fully.
Treatment can be performed under general anaesthetic at the Hobart Day Surgery by arrangement
www.nationaldaysurgeries.com/nds_facilities/hobart_day_surgery/
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth generally cause problems why they erupt partially through the gum
Below are the most common reasons for removing wisdom teeth.
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Tooth decay
Saliva, bacteria and food particles can collect around an impacted wisdom tooth, causing it, or the next tooth to decay. It is very difficult to remove such decay. Pain and infection will usually follow.
- Gum infection
When a wisdom tooth is partially erupted, food and bacteria collect under the gum causing a local infection. This may result in bad breath, pain, swelling and the inability to open your mouth fully. The infection can spread to involve the cheek and neck. One the initial episode occurs, each subsequent attack may become more frequent and more severe.
- Pressure pain
Pain may also come from the pressure of the erupting wisdom tooth against other teeth. In some cases this pressure may cause the erosion of these teeth.
- Orthodontic reasons
Many younger patients have had prolonged orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth. Wisdom teeth may cause movement of teeth particularly the front teeth when they try to erupt. This will compromise the orthodontic result.
- Prosthetic reasons
Patients who are to have dentures constructed should consider having any wisdom tooth removed. If a wisdom tooth erupts beneath a denture it may cause irritation. Once removed, the patient may need to have a new denture constructed as the shape of the gum will have changed.
- Cyst formation
A cyst (fluid filled sac) can develop from the soft tissue around an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts cause bone destruction, jaw expansion and displacement or damage to nearby teeth. The removal of the tooth and cyst is necessary to prevent further bone loss. In exceptional cases tumors may develop within these cysts or the jaw may fracture spontaneously if the cyst grows very large.
Why remove an impacted wisdom tooth if it hasn't caused any trouble?
Impacted wisdom teeth are almost certain to cause problems if left in place. This is particularly true of the lower wisdom teeth. Such problems may occur suddenly and often at the most inconvenient times.
When is the best time to have my wisdom teeth removed?
It is now recommended by dentists that impacted wsdom teeth be removed between the ages of 14 and 22 years whether they are causing problems or not. Surgery is technically easier and patients recover much more quickly when they are younger. What is a relatively minor operation at 20 can become quiet difficult in patients over 40. Also the risk of complications increases with age and the healing process is slower.
