Wisdom teeth, a third set of molars, usually come in when a patient is between 17 and 25 years old. Most patients have them removed. There are many reasons why Dr. McKinley and Dr. Holloway may remove wisdom teeth in Shelby Township, Michigan. Wisdom teeth often do not come in properly because they are so far back in the mouth. They can become impacted, or trapped between the jawbone and gums. This can cause pain and swelling. Wisdom teeth often come in at the wrong angle, which causes them to press against the nearby teeth. In many cases, a patient’s mouth is not big enough to allow room for wisdom teeth. Sometimes, a patient may not be able to reach their wisdom teeth in order to brush and floss them properly. This can cause cavities, or even gingivitis.
Before having your wisdom teeth removed, you will meet with our dentists to talk about the procedure. Tell them about any health problems you have and any medications you take regularly. Our dentists will discuss which type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure. Be sure to ask our dentists any questions you have about the procedure. Make sure that you ask for time off from work or school so that you can recover after extraction.