FAQs About Wisdom Teeth

Dentists regularly field questions about wisdom teeth from patients and young patients’ parents. If you are approaching the age when extracting these teeth is common, you may be curious as well. There are a lot of reasons why dental professionals recommend removing these molars. As you understand more about these teeth, you may realize why removing them is so critical for your smile and oral health.

How does wisdom teeth removal surgery work?

Dentists recommend that people have their third molars removed in the late-teen to early 20s range. The dentist will take X-rays and do an examination. The dentist will explain how the process works. The patient should be familiar with the process before going in for the surgery.

On the day of the surgery, the patient should come into the office with someone else. The dentist will either numb the mouth with a local anesthetic or put the patient to sleep with general anesthesia. The dentist then cuts into the gum and removes the bone surrounding the tooth. The dentist will break the tooth into pieces and remove them. After controlling any bleeding, the dentist closes the incision wound and lets the patient recover upon waking up.

How many wisdom teeth show up and when?

A few years to several years after the second set of molars emerge, the wisdom teeth will erupt. These third molars can break through the gums between the ages of 17 and 25. Many patients will have two molars on top and two on the bottom. Some people, however, may not have any or may have three, two, or one of these teeth.

Are wisdom teeth necessary?

In ancient times and distant centuries, humans had a different diet. Eating roots, leaves, and tough meat was common. In the modern era, people have developed different ways of cooking food to make it softer. Diets have changed as well. As a result, the need for a third set of molars has declined, making wisdom teeth unnecessary for chewing.

Can they cause cosmetic issues?

For many people, there is not much space in the back of the mouth for wisdom teeth. Consequently, these molars may erupt crooked-looking. The teeth may be misaligned or misshapen. They often come in at odd angles or look twisted, ruining what may have been an attractive smile.

Do wisdom teeth impact oral health?

Removing wisdom teeth for health reasons is a significant factor in the decision to have surgery. These teeth are prone to suffering or causing tooth decay, gum disease, and infections. The third molars may also damage nearby teeth due to overcrowding. Cysts and tumors around these molars can also be a concern.