Wisdom teeth are some of the most well-known types of teeth, but unfortunately, it’s often because of the trouble and discomfort that they cause. That’s because many people who develop them also experience wisdom tooth impaction, which means they become stuck within the jawbone or behind another molar and cannot fully erupt from the gum line. If you’re curious about your wisdom teeth, then visit our Grand Prairie, TX, dental office and find out if extracting them is the best course of action.
Why do you have a third set of molars?
Wisdom are formally known as third molars, meaning they’re the third set of permanent molars to develop at the ends of your dental ridges. They’re largely a remnant of the past, when our ancestors needed the extra chewing power and had larger jaws to accommodate them. Now, however, many people don’t have room for them to erupt comfortably, leading to a host of problems as the wisdom teeth become impacted.
Will yours cause trouble, if they don’t already?
Not everyone develops wisdom teeth, and not everyone who does experiences tooth impaction. Some patients grow all four of them without any complication at all. However, because they’re no longer necessary for optimal bite function, many patients choose to have their wisdom teeth extracted as soon as they show up. A comprehensive examination will help us determine if this is your best option before we recommend it.
What happens after you extract them?
After extracting impacted wisdom teeth, the extreme discomfort that the wisdom teeth cause will finally be alleviated. If the molars have caused any damage, such as cracking a nearby tooth or forcing teeth out of alignment, then we can correct the issue without worrying about your wisdom teeth causing further trouble. Because your bite function doesn’t rely on them, you won’t have to replace your wisdom teeth after they’ve been extracted.
Ask us about wisdom tooth extraction
If your wisdom teeth are causing your trouble, or if you’re curious about extracting them before they do, then speak with us as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith and out team, call Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111.
