Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure, Details & Costs

Does every patient have wisdom teeth?

Nearly all patients have wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth of the dental arch. Patients typically have four wisdom teeth, but sometimes, not all of them can be seen in the oral cavity. Although they are expected to emerge at some point during the late teens and early adult years, on some occasions, they don’t have enough space to come out. This means that the patient has the third molars, but they are impacted (trapped) inside the jaw or the gum tissue.

Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Wisdom teeth may not need to be removed if they are healthy and fully erupted in the correct position. Unfortunately, this is not the norm. Most patients have problems with their third molars and need to have them removed. An impacted tooth can cause many inconveniences, including gums disease and teeth misalignment, so it’s advisable to undergo surgery and get rid of this potential problem.

While healthy wisdom teeth are an asset to your mouth, wisdom teeth that don’t fully erupt or that grow in sideways can lead to tooth decay, infection or pain. Discover what your dentist can do to help you decide whether your wisdom teeth should be removed.

What is the extraction procedure for wisdom teeth?

This will depend on whether the molars are impacted or not. If the wisdom teeth are fully erupted, the procedure is similar to a standard extraction. On the other hand, if the molars are impacted, their extraction might require a more complex surgical procedure. Our dentist will open up the gum tissue over the teeth and remove any bone that might be covering them. Sometimes, the wisdom teeth are cut into smaller pieces to make them easier to remove. Once the procedure is finished, our dentist closes the wound with stitches and prescribe some painkillers.

What happens when patients don’t have their wisdom teeth removed?

Most problems are associated with impacted wisdom teeth. If they are not removed on time, they stay trapped inside the jawbone, causing damage in adjacent teeth and potentially misaligning the rest of the dental arch. On the other hand, if the molars are only partially erupted, they tend to be in an angle or position that makes the cleaning of the area a bit challenging, resulting in most cases in painful infections.

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