The most commonly impacted tooth is the third molar, commonly called the “wisdom tooth”. A tooth is said to be “impacted” if it is not in the mouth as a straight and fully functioning tooth. This “blocking out” of the tooth usually occurs because of inadequate jaw space and/or improper angulation. Pain is a warning sign that something is wrong, the absence of pain does not mean that nothing is wrong.

Therefore, even if there is no pain at this time, impacted teeth should be removed earlier rather than later because of the problems they cause within the jawbone and to adjacent teeth.

When it is determined that the wisdom teeth will not erupt into a functional position, The American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends they be removed in the early to late teenage years, before the roots are completely formed and the nerve becomes involved. Surgical procedures in general are better tolerated when one is young and healthy.Also, the gum tissues tend to heal better and more predictably at an early age. Most people experience minimal disruption of their normal routines, and time off from work or school is usually minimal.It is worth noting that the removal of wisdom teeth can be of great benefit to your ultimate oral and general health.

Wisdom Teeth Aren’t so Wise . . . and here are the reasons to have them removed

1. Pain
Pain can be caused by infection around a wisdom tooth that has decayed even though it has not yet erupted into the mouth.An impacted tooth can also cause pain if it is pressing against the main nerve in the lower jaw, against the tooth directly in front of it, and/or, if it is involved with the sinus.

2. Periodontal Problems
There may be a “pocket” or defect in the gum and/or bone tissue behind the secondmolar.The result may beadisturbing sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling of the gum, and/or significant bone loss causing loosening of the second molar with the possibility of eventual loss of that tooth.

3. Gum Infection
Wisdom teeth which only partially erupt into the mouth, i.e. where just the tip of the crown of the tooth shows through the gum, can cause infections.The gum tissue becomes swollen due to the accumulation of food that become trapped beneath it.This swelling and the accompanying pain can increase due to continued irritation when the upper tooth bites into the lower gum during swallowing or chewing.In either case, the net result may be an infection called “pericoronitis”, which is accompanied by some of the following conditions:painful swollen neck glands, much difficulty in opening the mouth, fever, earache, swelling, and/or pain.The only treatment that will definitively cure the problem, is removal of both the upper and lower wisdom teeth.

4. Cysts
Impacted teeth, like other teeth, developdeep in the jaws from a small sac of tissue which disappears when the tooth erupts into the mouth.However, if the tooth becomes impacted or trapped in the jaw for any reason, the sac remains and can develop into a cyst.These cysts enlarge, endangering adjacent teeth, bone, the nerve, and causes destruction to the jaw bone making it susceptible to fracture.

5. Destruction of Adjacent Teeth
Teeth continually try to erupt into the mouth.As the impacted tooth tries to move forward, it pushes against the tooth in front.This can cause erosion of the root of that tooth which, in rare cases, may have to be removed.

6. Tumors
There have been many documented reports in both the medical and dental literature of jaw tumors which arose from the developmental sac which surrounds the crown of the wisdom tooth. Treatment includes removal of the wisdom tooth, the tumor which caused the bone destruction, and in some instances, placement of a bone graft.

7. Crowded Teeth
Most orthodontists consider their treatment completed only after the impacted wisdom teeth have been removed. The eruption of wisdom teeth during the middle to late teen years can cause the front teeth to become crooked.

8. Prior To Becoming Pregnant
Surgery, and/or the taking of certain medications during pregnancy puts the fetus at additional risk due to the medications, anesthesia, and increased anxiety.

The ideal time to have your impacted wisdom teeth removed is between the ages of 15 to 19. However, if you are older, it is better to remove them sooner rather than later.

THE MAIN REASONS FOR EARLY REMOVAL ARE !!!

When you are younger, the roots of the wisdom teeth are not fully formed, and are therefore farther away from the main nerve in the lower jaw and the sinus in the upper jaw, making the surgery and healing easier.

As you get older, the bone becomes more dense delaying the healing process.Older patients tend to have more medical problems that may compromise the patient and/or the procedure, causing the recovery to be prolonged.

You can choose a time that is convenient with regard to school, work, and personal obligations, rather than waiting until there is a problem which requires a disruption in your daily schedule.