An impacted wisdom tooth is one which is for various reasons prevented from it's normal eruption. Over thousands of years of evolution, humans are developing smaller jaws and the space for these third molars (wisdom teeth) is not always available. Most people will develop four wisdom teeth, however it is common to see individuals congenitally missing one or more wisdom teeth.
These teeth usually erupt in the late teens and early twenties, however if space is lacking the wisdom teeth may not erupt at all or may partly cut through the gum and remain in this position. Food and bacteria are able to enter under the gum flap and create an infection called pericoronitis, which is probably the most common problem seen with wisdom teeth.
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An extremely easy removal in a young person can become a complicated surgical procedure later on in life, often requiring the expertise of an oral surgeon.
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Your dentist will often recommend extractions because pericoronitis commonly re-occurs and has the potential to cause serious complications. The advantages of early removals is that over time your teeth become more firmly anchored in your jaw bone as their roots lengthen and/or curve and the bone becomes more dense.
An extremely easy removal in a young person can become a complicated surgical procedure later on in life, often requiring the
expertise of an oral surgeon. Furthermore,
a young person heals better and recuperates faster. In fact, early removal of upper wisdom teeth can be one of the simplest surgical procedures a dentist performs.
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Whether wisdom teeth cause
your mouth harm depends on several factors, including the size of your jaw as well as the
direction in which your wisdom teeth choose to grow.
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Whether wisdom teeth cause your mouth harm depends on several factors, including the size of your jaw as well as the direction your wisdom teeth choose to grow. If left to grow horizontally instead of vertically, it may push against adjacent teeth possibly causing crowding or/and it may damage the adjacent tooth, which sometimes results in the loss of two teeth instead of one.
A fully impacted tooth can sometimes cause a cyst, abscess or tumor to form, which can grow to destroy large areas of bone. Lastly, remember that even fully grown and properly erupted wisdom teeth are often removed because they are difficult to clean resulting in extensive decay or may foster gum disease involving it and the adjacent molar.
Finally, remember that your dentist will often recommend early removals of your wisdom teeth before you develop any of the above mentioned symptoms and complications. Please feel free to discuss the status of your wisdom teeth with your dentist.
