If your dentist decides that you should have your wisdom teeth removed, there is a good reason! There are many consequences to ignoring the removal of these third molars located in the back of the mouth, despite the advice of a specialist.
For example, if you wait too long to remove them, the surgery may be more difficult. This will make the maxillofacial surgery more complex and your recovery time longer. These are not the only inconveniences you face if you take the risk of not having your wisdom teeth removed.
Why remove wisdom teeth?
Why do wisdom teeth have to be removed? There is no single answer to this question and the reason for extraction varies with each individual. However, recognizing when to remove wisdom teeth can help reduce the significant risks to your health.
Removing wisdom teeth to protect against gum disease
When wisdom teeth are semi-impacted, i.e., they are partially protruding into the mouth, the gum partially covers the tooth. As a result, a space can be created between the gum and the tooth which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to completely clean the area despite good oral hygiene practices. As a result, it is common to see bacterial infections and gum inflammation appear, leading to diseases often known as pericoronitis, periodontitis and gingivitis.
Removing wisdom teeth when a cavity forms
As mentioned above, the area where the wisdom teeth are located is difficult to maintain, even with daily brushing. Consequently, in addition to infections, dental cavities are common on both the wisdom tooth and the adjacent tooth when left in place. In addition to being difficult to treat, dental cavities are more prone to recurrence. In order to preserve your oral health, your maxillofacial surgeon may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed.
Removing wisdom teeth to avoid cysts and lesions
Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes get stuck in the jawbone, specifically in the envelope in which they develop. Over time, this envelope may grow and form cysts or odontogenic tumors, resulting in damage to the jawbone and the supporting structure of neighboring teeth.
Removing wisdom teeth to prevent the risk of inflammation and infection
Whether visible or not, a wisdom tooth that protrudes into the mouth is exposed to the oral environment, i.e. saliva, food particles and therefore bacteria in the mouth.
This situation can lead to complications. Food can get stuck, accumulate between the tooth and the gum and cause dental abscesses. Even if you take great care in your dental hygiene, with rigorous brushing and regular flossing, there is no way to completely prevent this situation.
While the infection can be treated with antibiotics, the risk of recurrence usually leads specialists to recommend wisdom teeth removal.
Removing wisdom teeth as part of orthodontic treatment
It is generally recommended that wisdom teeth be removed during orthodontic treatment before they compromise the effectiveness of the treatment. Wisdom teeth can cause displacement of some molars, which is best avoided in orthodontic treatment.
Removing wisdom teeth to prevent damage to surrounding teeth
It is generally recommended to have wisdom teeth removed before the roots of the teeth are fully formed. In addition to making their extraction easier, it is better to proceed at this time because when teeth are less formed, they are less well anchored in the bone and therefore easier to remove.
In such a case, they are also further away from certain anatomical structures such as the nerve responsible for the sensation of touch in the lip and chin area. The more the lower wisdom teeth are formed, the closer they are to a nerve that runs along the jaw.
The closer the tooth is to the nerve during surgery, the greater the risk of nerve damage. Finally, a poorly positioned wisdom tooth can lead to resorption of the neighboring tooth.
Can I keep my wisdom teeth?
Before deciding if wisdom teeth removal is necessary, one or more dental x-rays are usually taken to determine what problems their appearance might cause. Following these examinations, a decision can be made whether or not to remove them. Your maxillofacial surgeon will then explain to you the risks and benefits or, in other words, the advantages and disadvantages of extracting them or not.
There are times when the best course of action is to do nothing. It may be perfectly acceptable to keep your wisdom teeth as long as they have room to grow, are not covered with gum tissue, do not affect your teeth and can be properly maintained.
Where can I get my wisdom teeth removed?
You should have your wisdom teeth checked regularly by a professional. A good analysis of the situation can even be done with the help of a panoramic X-ray. This will help your maxillofacial surgeon determine if you need to have your teeth extracted.
If you think you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, our maxillofacial clinic specializes in this service and will be able to offer you the most advanced medical and surgical care. Contact our team to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons. We will offer you the best solution for your needs.
