This is a question many people ask, especially teens that were just informed that they should have their wisdom teeth removed.
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed and not everyone gets wisdom teeth. Some people will have plenty of room in their mouth to accommodate their wisdom teeth. However, this isn’t always a good reason to keep them since they are almost always hard to keep clean due to their positioning. Some lucky people simply don’t get any wisdom teeth. Others simply don’t get all of their wisdom teeth while some less fortunate people get more than four wisdom teeth.
What are some of the reasons that people should have their wisdom teeth removed:
- They are impacted (they are under the gum tissue)
- They are impacted and at an angle, pushing against the side of other teeth
- They are impacted and the gum tissue has been infected at least once
- They are impacted and there is a cyst forming
- They are partially erupted (a part of the tooth is coming out)
- They are partially erupted and the part of the tooth that is exposed is decayed
- They are partially erupted and coming in at an angle
- They are partially erupted and due to the fact that there isn’t enough room for them they are making other teeth in the mouth crowded
- They are causing pain
- They are in and have become decayed
At what age should I have my wisdom teeth out?
Most people get their wisdom teeth between 16-21 years of age.
Generally, you will have them removed when you are young. (16-21)This way you don’t allow them to cause problems in the first place. As well as the fact that we heal much faster when we are young.
However, if you didn’t have your wisdom teeth out when you were young and you find yourself with decay and the need to have a root canal and crown on a wisdom tooth later in life, you might ask your dentist if you should keep the tooth or get it removed now? It is often hard to keep these teeth cleaned well.
Can I have my wisdom teeth removed at my dentist or do I need to go to a specialist?
This is another good question with several answers.
It depends on whether or not your general dentist does oral surgery. Some dentists are comfortable performing oral surgery while others feel more comfortable referring to an oral surgeon. Dr. Mike Giebenhain does a frequently performs oral surgery and will let you know if he is comfortable taking out your wisdom teeth here in the office or if he feels that you would be better served by seeing an oral surgeon. Some people would like to be put to sleep to have their wisdom teeth out while others are content with Novocain. There is an additional cost involved with being put to sleep and most often this is only done at the oral surgery office.
Dr. Mike does a great job with administering Novocain and we also offer laughing gas which helps ease nervousness.
So, as you can see there will be some decisions to make if or when you are told that you should have your wisdom teeth out.
At Lakeside Family Dentistry we put our patients comfort first and will give recommendations that are always in your best interest.
