Why Do Wisdom Teeth Sometimes Cause Problems?
Wisdom teeth or the third molars are the very last to erupt, emerging anywhere from the late teens to late twenties. By this stage all the adult teeth are firmly established, leaving little room for latecomers. As a result, wisdom teeth can become impacted, where they will try to come up underneath existing teeth, or they may emerge sideways through the gums. Sometimes they will manage to partially erupt and are more at risk of decay and infection.
How Can These Problems Be Managed?
We do monitor the development of wisdom teeth very carefully using digital dental x-rays. These detailed images show us the exact location of teeth yet to emerge so we can assess if there is sufficient room for them to come through without problems. We do not recommend wisdom teeth be removed unless we are sure it is the best treatment choice.
If we determine your wisdom teeth cannot emerge fully, then we will discuss all possible treatment options with you and when required will provide a referral to an oral surgeon. An oral surgeon is very experienced in more complex tooth removals so the procedure will be smooth and straightforward.