For many patients, the third molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, are nothing but trouble. They serve no purpose for modern humans, but they can cause lots of problems when they remain in the mouth.
As a result, most patients visit an oral surgeon during late adolescence or early adulthood to have their wisdom teeth extracted.
Wisdom teeth can cause a number of issues for Dallas TX patients. Because there is no longer room in the jaw to accommodate the wisdom teeth, they often become impacted. When the wisdom teeth fail to erupt or do so only partially, they can develop tumors or cysts.
As wisdom teeth attempt to emerge through the gums, they can knock the other teeth out of alignment. Even when the wisdom teeth erupt properly, they are still more prone to infection than the other teeth, as it is extraordinarily difficult to keep the rearmost teeth clean and bacteria-free even with regular brushing and flossing.
It’s best to have your wisdom teeth removed before age 25 because the roots are shorter and can be more easily removed. As patients get older, the wisdom teeth become more entrenched in the jawbone and the extraction surgery becomes more complex.
Although earlier removal is preferred, older patients can still be candidates for wisdom teeth extraction. They should be prepared for a longer recovery time, though, as the healing process is slower in older patients.
If you’re worried that wisdom tooth extraction is a difficult and painful procedure, don’t be. Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most commonly performed oral surgery procedures. Oral surgeons receive extensive training in removing the wisdom teeth, and they have numerous opportunities to perfect their techniques.
Beyond the technical expertise they bring to the table, oral surgeons also take steps to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
If you have not yet had your wisdom teeth removed, contact Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery and schedule a consultation to begin planning for the process.
