Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to grow in the rear of the mouth and can be a trouble for some. Other patients have wisdom teeth that come in without any issues. Wisdom teeth usually grow in between the ages of 17-25, as the third set of molars that have less room to move around than other molars. Dr. Shruti Chahal helps patients undergo tooth extractions, particularly wisdom teeth removal. Read on to learn about wisdom teeth and whether you might need your wisdom teeth removed in Dr. Chahal’s Calgary, AB dental office.
Dentists look for specific indicators that often signal a possible need for removing wisdom teeth.
Pericoronitis: When wisdom teeth begin erupting, or coming out of the gums, a flap of gum tissue can be leftover, which may trap food particles and naturally-occurring oral bacteria. This can lead to an infection, called pericoronitis, which irritates the surrounding gums. Pericoronitis makes cleaning the area even more difficult to clean and can occur even when the wisdom teeth have not yet erupted.
The wisdom teeth become impacted: Many people think impacted means the teeth are infected but this is not always true. When wisdom teeth are blocked by existing teeth and are unable to erupt, they are referred to as impacted. Some people may experience pain or discomfort when this happens, but many others aren’t even aware they have impacted wisdom teeth until a dentist finds it on an x-ray.
The dentist suspects a risk of future problems: If Dr. Chahal determines that, by allowing your wisdom teeth to remain, there is a risk of future problems, she may suggest a tooth extraction. The extraction process is easier on younger patients, so even if you haven’t experienced any problems yet, Dr. Chahal may recommend their removal to prevent a more difficult future procedure.
Are your wisdom teeth coming in? Call Dr. Chahal’s Calgary, AB dental office for care at (403) 910-5452 or request a consultation online. Remember to schedule regular dental appointments so that Dr. Chahal and her team can monitor the health of incoming molars.
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