How to Know If Wisdom Teeth Really Need To Be Removed - Silicon Valley Dentistry

 

Have you ever been confused about whether you need to remove the wisdom tooth or not? Or Are you one of the fortunate people who are blessed with not having the third molars? As per the dental health study, approximately 35 % of people are without wisdom teeth. Whatever will be the case, this topic

has always been a part of debate whether one should remove a wisdom tooth or not. This can be confusing for so many people that it is mandatory to remove a wisdom tooth.

Wisdom teeth are also called third molars. They typically grow at the age of 17-21. At this point

in time, it becomes an issue. As mentioned above, approximately 35 % of people are without

wisdom teeth or only have between one and four. The leftover population generally has all four,

which may or may not emerge or be of any concern. Nobody knows or realizes that they possess

these extra teeth. These can be visible only in X-ray. In some cases, they remain invisible and

affect your gums from below in your gums behind your second molars.

In the previous era, it was usual to remove wisdom teeth as soon as they grew and have any

kind of pain by the dentist. 

The wisdom teeth arrive later in life, and these are giant teeth. Hence, when they start appearing,

they can create some irritation and pain in the gums. The common thinking of the extraction of

teeth was that there is not sufficient space in an average mouth of a person for four extra molars.

It means that 28 teeth are plenty. If a person does not remove these extra four teeth, it can

become problems for other teeth and result in crowding. However, the extraction of a wisdom

tooth can result in excruciating pain. This is true particularly for those who are affected by it.

Hence, the patients can suffer some traumatic experience in this process, and this is the reason

for putting them under anesthesia. Not only this, but the patient requires several days for their

recovery too. 

We must have been acquainted with that one person who has gone through this procedure and

popping pain relievers and looking like a battered chipmunk. Don’t worry! It is a general

procedure, and you do not need to be anxious about that if the surgery is recommended. Be calm!

And remember that the comfort of the patient is the top priority. Hence, with modern

sedation dentistry, your suffering is minimal or no suffering at all. The scenario mentioned

above is a rare case in the current dental situations. 

Therefore, one of the most crucial questions is to find out whether there is a requirement for

removing one tooth or more than one wisdom tooth. We have made a list of factors that

you can consider with your dental practitioner when making a decision regarding whether

wisdom teeth extraction is mandatory or not. These factors are as follows:  

—Condition and health of your second molars

 — gum health or disease

 — position of the mandibular nerve relative to the wisdom teeth

 — level of irritation or pain and its management

 — your age

 — tooth crowding

 — cost

Condition and Health of Your Second Molars

The crucial aspect that can concern you and your dental practitioner is the status of your wisdom

teeth. Here, the condition refers to the impact that these teeth have on your second molars.

As your extra molars are large and they emerge at last. Hence, these are the reasons that your

wisdom teeth can appear and grow in all kinds of different directions. In the best possible

situation, they simply grow straight up, just like the rest of your 28 teeth, and have little to no

impact on the rest of the set of teeth. However, this is not with every case; these wisdom teeth

have the tendency to grow in a different direction that is angled, including straightaway towards

your second molars and sideways. In this case, these wisdom teeth growths can affect the

ligament that surrounds your second molars by your third molars over time which can leave

the impression negatively. Moreover, if the wisdom teeth and second molars are too close, this

can result in tooth decay. This decay can spread over the other teeth too.

In most cases, X-rays or, if more detail is required, in that case, 3D scans, like CAT scans for

your mouth. It helps the dentist regarding the direction of your wisdom teeth. Based on this, the

dentist decides whether the continued growth of teeth has any harmful effect on your teeth or

not. If this is the case, it will make more sense to discontinue the development of the wisdom

tooth before making any sort of permanent negative effect on other teeth. Make sure that you take

into consideration your age.

Gum Health or Disease

In this factor, your dentist or dental practitioner can do some check-ups to analyze the condition of

your gums. He will immediately get acquainted with the dental condition. With this, your dentist

will be able to measure whether your wisdom teeth have significant effects on your gums or not.

Even if you are developing any conditions like this or any significant gum inflammation, he

will certainly be able to take measures as per the case. This condition is very difficult to

protect through brushing and cleaning due to the position being so far back in your mouth. Hence,

this condition can occur from time to time.

If this inflammation is left untreated, it may cause several other health issues. This case is the

worst for pregnant women. Hence, women who want to get pregnant in the near future should get

themselves checked before this. If they are unable to do so, they have to face additional stress

in the pregnant stage, which ultimately harms their baby.  

Therefore, these cases of gum issues should be dealt with as soon as possible. Generally, it can be

done through the extraction of the wisdom teeth followed by ongoing proactive oral care.

Position of the Mandibular Nerve Relative to Your Wisdom Teeth

One can conveniently get the images and the position of the mandibular nerve through an x-ray

or 3d scan simultaneously. 

Basically, this mandibular nerve runs from the jawline, and there is a chance that the nerve

can be proportionately near to the roots of the wisdom teeth based on the length and the directions

they are growing. Therefore, if the nerve is more than proportionally nearest to the wisdom

teeth roots, then the extraction of the teeth will incur the risk of damaging the nerve. This can

result in severe damage like prolonged numbness or bottom lip condition. Usually, you want

to discuss this crucial aspect with your dental practitioner so that he can avoid risk as much as

possible as per your concern. 

Level of Irritation or Pain and Its Management

The potential for enduring pain is different for a different person. Thus, everybody has a

contrasting limit for constant tooth pain and pain. As the proximity of teeth is close to the brain,

this is the reason that it can be the most irritating and weakening experience even with the

inclusion of present medicine for pain relief. For some, the option to remove wisdom teeth

and endure some short-term discomfort vs. ongoing pressure and pain caused by one or

more third molars is an easy one to make. Indeed, you still want to consult with your dentist.

Also, you can consult your personal physician to understand all of the benefits and limitations

of going for dental surgery under anesthesia. It depends on your age and overall health status.

Your Age

One of the reasons that most dentists suggest removing those extra molars is because patients are

still in their teenage years. Due to this, the roots of these third molars in this age have not

formed completely. In simple words, the earlier you have molars extracted, the surgery will

be less painful. Therefore, the overall procedure will be quicker, and there will be fewer

discomforting days. There will be a minimum probability of complications like pockets in your

gums or mandibular nerve damage.

Please take a note; you will get more information and discuss all the issues with your dentist

about the dental conditions that you may develop when you get older. This clarifies your doubt,

and you are in a position to take any decision regarding your dental health. However, make

sure that you also get acquainted with any medications or underlying conditions you may be

taking that can help you to make a more concrete decision regarding the safe proceedings.

Tooth Crowding

Tooth crowding can also be the main reason for crowding in the population. Due to this

reason, the dentist may suggest you extract the teeth. Although, there is no or very little

evidence regarding the issue generated by the emergence of third molars. That is why

your dental practitioner may be kept on saying you should discuss your doubts with them

due to the uniqueness and complexity of every case. Suppose a dentist finds anything particular

in your jaw, mouth, or other teeth, which is becoming a reason for concern from dentist

perception. As mentioned, you and your dentist can get the answer to these questions

by making a thorough examination, x-rays, and/or 3D scan, if mandatory, will help

find out the most suitable course of action.

Cost

Molars removal can be expensive, especially when you are removing all of them at once.

Cost should never be the prominent factor as it is the topic of your overall health. We have

noted in the above segment that dental issues can have a weakening effect on you, mostly

for pregnant women. Hence, it is worthy of discussing this aspect with your dentist to

understand the importance of each. There is another discount option for financing dental

costs to meet the requirement for those who are having the problem in making payment

for their expenses.

Make Wise Choices About Your Teeth

You can find several benefits and risks to having major surgery in dental. However, all these

aspects are based on age, oral health, and general health status. Therefore, always consult

with your dental surgeon or dental practitioner regarding the factors as per your children

and your particular situation before extraction of your third molars. However, it is best to

have your molars removed in the teenage so that those molars do not have a chance to

grow and interact with other teeth and nerves. 

If you still have any queries regarding your wisdom tooth, other issues related to your oral

health, feel free to contact us, and we will provide every possible assistance to you.