Do I Need a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Unlike other teeth, the third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, develop later, often when a patient is in late adolescence or early adulthood. For some, these molars may be easily accommodated into the arch. For others, wisdom teeth can have a domino-like effect on the health and functionality of a smile, compromising an individual’s overall health. When facing wisdom tooth development, many patients may find themselves wondering whether they need extraction.

Understanding the Implications of Wisdom Teeth

Part of the complicated implications of wisdom teeth stem from when and how these third molars develop. By the time wisdom teeth develop, patients have often already undergone treatments to utilize the entire space of the arch. When there is no space for the new tooth to emerge, it becomes impacted, or unable to correctly breach through the gums. As a result, it develops incorrectly, essentially pushing against other teeth and threatening to negate any prior work that has been done.

In other cases, the wisdom teeth may become partially impacted, or may only partially emerge. This can also have negative oral health implications as the gum flap covering the tooth may trap food debris. As debris accumulates, so do bacteria, making it difficult for patients to thoroughly clean their teeth and increasing the likelihood of developing a cavity, tooth infection, or abscess.

Given the strong possibility of compromising the health and function of a patient’s smile, wisdom tooth extraction is highly recommended in cases of impaction and partial impaction.

Other Cases to Consider Extraction

Surprisingly, age also may be a factor in determining whether extraction is a good option. While a tooth may develop normally and fit comfortably in the arch, changes to the dentition that occur over time may cause the wisdom tooth to begin crowding other teeth. Older patients seeking wisdom tooth extraction may find themselves at risk of greater complications from the removal process.

Northern Virginia oral surgeon Dr. Snehal Patel offers comprehensive wisdom tooth removal at his Lorton and Springfield dental practices. Using advanced technology, Dr. Patel is able to create a strategic plan that makes the removal and recovery processes comfortable and efficient. For more information about general extraction and impacted wisdom tooth extraction, contact our nearest location today.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are often an annoyance that can cause serious dental problems. A question that often plagues dental patients is, if wisdom teeth have no function, why haven’t they made their evolutionary exit?

Was there ever a need for wisdom teeth?

Among archaeologists, there is a common belief that third molars were used by our prehistoric ancestors to accommodate a diet of tough food like leaves, roots, nuts, and raw meats. When combined with a broader jaw, wisdom teeth allowed prehistoric man to survive.

However, as humans evolved, the development of food preparation techniques, as well as tools to eat with, allowed man to create foods that were easy to eat. With no need for the broad jaw and extra molars, evolution gradually led to the narrowing of the jaw. As a result, fewer and fewer wisdom teeth were able to emerge through the gums.

Why do wisdom teeth appear so late in life?

Development of teeth happens in stages. Just as baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, wisdom teeth are the next evolutionary dental milestone. While they may not erupt until young adulthood, the third molars begin developing around the age of 10. However, by the time wisdom teeth are ready to emerge, many people do not have enough space in the jaw to accommodate the molars. As a result, the teeth become impacted and push against existing alignment in an effort to break to the surface.

When should I get my wisdom teeth removed?

Not everyone needs to get their wisdom teeth removed. For a rare few, the jaw and dental arch are wide enough to allow wisdom teeth to emerge and exist without disturbing dentition. However, most patients find that wisdom teeth become impacted or partially impacted teeth and painful, as well as detrimental to any prior bite alignment work they may have completed.

It is recommended that wisdom teeth are removed before the roots are fully formed and the jaw hardens, typically between the ages of 17 and 23. If you are considering wisdom teeth removal, contact our Lorton orSpringfield office to learn more about wisdom teeth extraction. 

Recover Correctly from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Recovering from any surgical procedure requires rest and following doctor’s instructions; wisdom teeth extraction is no exception. In order to minimize post-treatment discomfort and ensure a successful recovery, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts to consider.

Post-operational Dos

•  Replace the gauze placed over the wound every few hours. If bleeding continues beyond the first 24 hours, call Dr. Patel to schedule an emergency follow-up appointment.
• Use ice packs for the first 24 hours. Try holding the packs outside your cheek for 15-20 minute increments at a time. After the first day, you can apply a warm washcloth to the outside of your cheek for the following days.
•  Stick to soft foods. Wait to reintroduce solid foods into your diet until the healing process is well underway.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. Try mixing 1tsp of salt water with 8 ounce of warm water.
• Take Motrin or other pain reliever to soothe any discomfort. General discomfort is expected during the post-operational stage, however many of our patients find their pain easily managed with over-the-counter medication. If you find the extraction site particularly sore, Dr. Patel recommends trying SockIt! Gel. When applied inside the socket, the oral gel effectively numbs the area. 
• Maintain your oral hygiene regimen. It is recommended that you brush your teeth post-operation to remove any bacteria and plaque build-up. Remember to be gentle around the surgical sites.

Post-operational Don’ts

•  Avoid lying flat, as this may prolong bleeding.
• Do not smoke cigarettes or use a straw for the first few days following surgery, as the suction force can prevent clotting. Smoking can also introduce bacteria to the surgical site, increasing your chances of post-operational infection.
• When possible, do not touch the wound. Prodding it with your tongue or fingers can introduce bacteria to the surgical site, increasing your chances of infection as well as slowing recovery time.
• Limit physical activity. While you might feel fine once the initial symptoms have worn off, it is important to remember that you are in the post-operative stage. Physical exertion can increase bleeding and prevent the wound from clotting.

During recovery, it is important to remember is not to rush the process. While the procedure may have been minor, your body is still recovering. Ignoring post-surgery instructions can cause other complications to arise, such as dry socket, infection, or damage to the surrounding teeth, jaw, or nerves.

By fully following Dr. Patel’s post-operation instructions, you can enjoy a successful post-wisdom teeth surgery recovery. For more information on wisdom teeth extraction, contact our Lorton and Springfieldoffice to schedule an extraction consultation. 

The Trouble with Wisdom Teeth

For many, the development of impacted wisdom teeth is an uncomfortable rite of passage. However, dental patients may fail to recognize how much damage impacted wisdom teeth can wreak on their dentition.

What is an impacted tooth?

 An impacted tooth occurs when there is not enough space for a tooth to emerge, due to either overlying gum, bone, or other teeth. While any emerging tooth can become impacted, the third molars are particularly susceptible due to their late development and emergence, when compared to other teeth.

Problems caused by Impacted Wisdom Teeth

In addition to general discomfort, complete or partially impacted teeth can cause serious repercussions for your overall dentition. As impacted wisdom teeth attempt to erupt through the tissue or bone, they tend to push the surrounding teeth out of alignment. Not only does this shift the individual’s bite, but it can also negate prior orthodontic work the patient has undergone.

This shift can also have a domino effect on the alignment of the jaw, causing secondary issues such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and migraines. These can greatly exacerbate patient discomfort and require multi-discipline treatment.

Impacted wisdom teeth can also increase the risk of dental decay and infection. Below the surface, sacs can form around impacted teeth. If left untreated, the sac fills with fluid and becomes a painful cyst. Untreated cysts also put the patient at risk of benign tumors that require surgery to remove and repair the bone.

Even when wisdom teeth do begin to emerge correctly, the dental arch is often not large enough to accommodate the third molar. Partially impacted teeth are at a higher risk for dental decay and gum disease, as food and bacteria are easily trapped between the semi-emerged tooth and the gum.

Facing Wisdom Teeth Pain?

The longer patients wait to have their impacted wisdom teeth removed, the more difficult extraction can become. Dr. Patel of Lorton Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery recommends that impacted wisdom teeth be removed while the bone is still malleable, typically before the age of 23. If you need wisdom teeth extracted, Dr. Patel can walk you through the procedure. Contact our Lorton and Springfield offices today to learn more about the importance of early wisdom teeth removal.