Not everyone will need their wisdom teeth removed, but a lot of people do. In fact, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimates that around 90% of people will have a wisdom tooth that needs to be removed. If you are one of these 90%, you can count on Dr. Karanvir Sibia and the staff at Ace Dental for a safe and comfortable procedure.
Wisdom teeth are usually the last four adult teeth to emerge from the gums (known as “eruption”). They usually erupt during the late teens, but can emerge as late as the early twenties. The wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars and are the farthest back in the mouth.
For about 10% of people, the wisdom teeth will erupt with no problem whatsoever. However, more often than not, the wisdom teeth erupt at an angle and not straight through the gum line (this is known as an “impacted” tooth). The tooth may come in unevenly, or it may only emerge partially through the gums. This can cause many problems for the patient.
Besides being very painful, an impacted wisdom tooth can cause structural damage to the jaw and the other teeth. Because they are so far back in the mouth and because they don’t emerge properly, an impacted wisdom tooth can be very difficult to keep clean. Bacteria and debris can easily gather around the teeth or between the gum and tooth, which increases the risk of tooth decay in nearby teeth, gum disease, and infection of the gum tissue. It can also cause crowding in the mouth that can harm other teeth.
We want you to be comfortable at your appointment. Since wisdom tooth extractions are surgical, you’ll be given local anesthesia. If you feel nervous about the procedure, or if you have impacted teeth, Dr. Sibia may recommend a stronger anesthesia for your procedure so that you can relax while under our care. You’ll need to have a ride home afterwards as well so please make transportation arrangements.
Because humans don’t really need wisdom teeth, the solution for a problem wisdom tooth is usually removal. If you need your wisdom teeth removed, or if you have any questions about this procedure, give Dr. Sibia and the staff at Ace Dental a call at (916) 772-0111.
