What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars. They emerge at the far back of your mouth, and they usually appear in your late adolescence or early adult years.
Because wisdom teeth are so far back in your mouth, they may get partially or fully trapped beneath your other molars. When this happens, it's called impaction, and it can cause serious problems.
What issues can impacted wisdom teeth cause?
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause major tooth and jaw pain, and they're also more vulnerable to decay and infections.
If impacted wisdom teeth aren't removed, they could eventually damage the roots of your other molars, possibly causing you to lose those crucial teeth.
When is the best time to have my wisdom teeth removed?
The optimal time to remove wisdom teeth is usually in your late teens or early 20s. In those years, your wisdom teeth roots might not be fully formed, and the surrounding bone isn't as thick. This means that extraction is usually easier and recovery shorter in your teens or early 20s.
If your wisdom teeth are causing you problems, your dentist may still recommend removal even if you're older. Your dentist will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the extraction with you to help you make the right choice.
How does wisdom tooth extraction work?
Your dentist will numb your tooth and the surrounding area with local anesthetic. While you'll be awake during the procedure, you won't feel any pain.
If the impacted wisdom tooth is stuck in your jaw, your dentist may need to extract a small piece of jaw bone to access the tooth. In other cases, the wisdom tooth is accessible enough that your dentist can extract it without any bone loss.
What is recovery after wisdom tooth extraction like?
Recovery after wisdom tooth extraction is different for each patient. Your recovery will depend on factors such as the number of wisdom teeth removed and whether the wisdom teeth were heavily impacted.
Plan to have at least a few days for recovery, and be sure to follow all of your dentist's guidelines for optimal healing.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure today, and it's safe and straightforward when handled by the La Jolla Dental Group dentists. Book your appointment online or call the office to schedule a visit now.
