Having wisdom teeth removed is probably one of those most common dental procedures in the land.
But how much do we really know about wisdom teeth and when and why should they be removed?
Here we explain the whole “tooth” about wisdom teeth, so you know the facts. And remember, if you think you need yours removed, Ewan Bramley Dental Care can help. To book a FREE CONSULTATION dial 0191 259 6506 or SUBMIT YOUR INFO HERE, and we’ll fix a date!
Let’s start with the basics…
What are wisdom teeth?
So, most of us adults have 32 teeth and of these 4 of them usually make themselves known when we’re 17 up until the age of 21.
This probably won’t come as a surprise, but the last of these molars, our wisdom teeth, can be little devils and cause us pain when they push through.
And if they don’t come through as they should and develop properly, they might need to be removed.
How and why do they cause us problems?
Wisdom teeth can become an issue when they are misaligned and form horizontally or angle themselves away or towards our second molars. If this happens, your mouth can become crowded and can damage other teeth, nerves or the jawbone. They can also make other teeth susceptible to decay when plaque and debris become trapped.
How can I tell if I have wisdom teeth?
You can ask us about how your wisdom teeth are coming through. We have a state-of-the-art practice at our home in North Shields and will be able to take X-rays to monitor and assess the progression of your wisdom teeth.
In some cases, we might suggest that they are removed before any potential problems develop. If you’re a young gun, the extraction is relatively easy because they haven’t had the chance to progress fully, but if you are a little older there’s still no need to worry. The process is simple, but the healing aspect may take a bit longer.
How are wisdom teeth taken out?
This, folks, all depends on the position of the wisdom teeth. But we can talk you through the process and carry out a pre-extraction examination of your mouth to see how they’re looking. If the wisdom tooth has pushed through the gum fully, the tooth can be removed just like any other tooth.
But if it lies underneath the gum and has placed itself into the jawbone we’d need to make a small incision into the gum. If this has happened, we might take the tooth out in smaller sections rather than taking it whole. This would minimise the level of bone that needs to be removed to get the wisdom tooth out.
Are you worried about wisdom teeth or would like some more information about them? Call us now on 0191 259 6506, and we can fill you in. If they’re causing you discomfort, we can book you in for a FREE CONSULTATION and discuss your options!
