Wisdom Teeth Basics

For many years, Denver dentists believed that wisdom teeth should be left in place unless they were fully “erupted” or viewable above the gum. Nowadays, that thinking has changed.

Extracting wisdom teeth can be risky business, and the risks usually increase with age. Patients who wait until problems arise with their wisdom teeth before having them extracted, put themselves at risk for more serious complications. Those under the age of thirty-five are the best candidates for wisdom teeth extraction, while patients over the age of fifty are at greater risk for potential complications, as by that age, the teeth will be harder to remove. People over thirty-five also run greater risk of a loss of sensation in and around the lips and mouth since nerves lie close to the wisdom tooth (third molar) sites.

Fortunately, advances in radiographic technology provide the treating dental professional all he/she needs to know regarding the condition of the tooth and surrounding area prior to initiating treatment. Nerves, bones and problematic teeth will all be plainly seen on a standard X-ray, and the patient can be advised of any potential problems.

Why do wisdom teeth have to be removed? Wisdom teeth (third molars) can cause a great deal of pain and suffering to an individual, as well as pressing on and crowding other teeth. Wisdom teeth can make other teeth shift out of ideal occlusal position, leading to changes in bite patterns and other related issues. They can affect sinuses, inflame gum tissue and expose them to infections.

Specialized surgical skills may be required if the wisdom teeth are impacted. It is important to work with a Denver dentist or oral surgeon with the proper equipment and training to meet the treatment needs of the patient. IV sedation is often recommended for this procedure. The wisdom teeth are often removed in one visit.

After the wisdom teeth are extracted, a patient can expect some pain or discomfort normally responsive to pain-medication, minor bleeding, puffiness in the face and jaw areas, and temporary (and in rare cases permanent) loss of sensation in the lower jaw due to damage of the inferior alveolar nerve that provides feeling to the lower lip and chin.