WISDOM TEETH
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth
to erupt in the mouth. This generally occurs between the ages
of 17 and 25, a time of life that has been called the “Age of
Wisdom.” Anthropologists note that the rough diet of early
humans resulted in the excessive wear of their teeth. Normal
drifting of the teeth to compensate for this wear ensured that
space was available for most wisdom teeth to erupt by
adolescence. Changes in diet to softer foods of modern day
have reduced the normal drifting which often results in
limited space in the back of the mouth where wisdom teeth
normally erupt.
Why Should I Remove My
Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom
teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they
align properly, and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not
have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally
happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they
are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They
may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even
remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can
take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a
pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully. These
poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When
they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth
allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an
infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness.
The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other
teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of
teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts
form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the
destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the
offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these
problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future
problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the
procedure.
Oral Examination
With an
oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, our doctors can
evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there
may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that
early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome
for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the
mid- teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an
oral and maxillofacial surgeon.All outpatient surgery is
performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient
comfort. Our doctors have the training, license and experience
to provide various types of anesthesia to allow patients to
select the best alternative. These services are provided in an
environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring
equipment and staff experienced in anesthesia techniques.
Surgery
In most
cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local
anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or
general anesthesia. These options as well as the surgical
risks will be discussed with you before the procedure is
performed. Following surgery, you may experience some swelling
and mild discomfort, which are part of the normal healing
process. Cold compresses may help decrease the swelling, and
medication prescribed by your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
can help manage the discomfort. You may be instructed to
modify your diet following surgery and later progress to more
normal foods. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Our
services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that
utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff that are
experienced in anesthesia techniques.
Tucson Oral
Surgeons
Tucson Oral Surgery Locations
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Tucson
Dental Sedation - Tucson, AZ
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