The third molars, known simply as wisdom teeth, erupt between the ages of 17 and 21 years old. The average person’s mouth will comfortably hold 28 of the 32 teeth we are predisposed to have. Since the wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, there is often little room left to accommodate their size and anatomy.Some of us are unaffected by them, others develop painful conditions that require their immediate removal. It is not always a wise decision to keep your wisdom teeth. Find out why they may need to be removed, and where to find them in your mouth.
During your check-up, we may take x-ray to diagnose the need for their removal. This x-ray gives the dentist a clear view of the area around the wisdom teeth, to determine the type of extraction necessary for each tooth. If you require surgery to remove your wisdom teeth, it is helpful to prepare yourself before your appointment for a speedy recovery.
The following four impactions are commonly found in patients :
- Bone Impaction (Vertical) :
Impaction would cause pathosis inside the cheek bone or jaw bone.
- Bone Impaction (Horizontal) :
Besides leading pathosis, horizontal placement would hurt the hard tissue of the second molar to cause toothache and cavities.
- Bone Impaction (Angular) :
Besides leading pathosis, angular placement would hurt the hard tissue of the second molar to cause toothache and cavities
- Tissue Impaction :
The wisdom tooth almost erupts out of gum, or its half erupts out of gum to cause pseudo-pocket. Besides leading pathosis, it easily tracts food debris and causes gum irritation.
Condition for Wisdom Teeth Removed
- They are erupting in to an abnormal position, such as tilted, sideways or twisted.
- They are trapped below the gum line due to lack of space.
- An infectionhas developed from trapped food, plaque and bacteria, known as pericoronitis.
- The way the patients teeth bite together has changed, causing misalignment of the jaws.
- The erupted wisdom tooth lacks proper hygiene, because it is hard to reach, resulting in tooth decay.
