WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTION
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars in the back of your mouth. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25, and they’re spotted on X-rays. Most people have them removed for one of these reasons:
- They’re impacted. Because they’re so far back in your mouth, wisdom teeth may not come in normally. They can be trapped in your jawbone or gums, which can be painful.
- They come in at the wrong angle. They may press against your other teeth.
- Your mouth isn’t big enough. Your jaw has no room for an extra set of molars.
- You have cavities or gum disease. You may not be able to reach your wisdom teeth with your toothbrush or dental floss.
You’ll probably need to have a wisdom tooth removed if it is impacted, or if it is causing you pain, an infection, or other dental issues. An oral surgeon or a dentist can remove a wisdom tooth. Even if impacted teeth aren’t currently causing issues, some dentists and oral surgeons advise wisdom tooth extraction to avoid potential future issues.
You’ll likely need your impacted wisdom tooth pulled if it results in problems such as:
- Pain
- Trapping food and debris behind the wisdom tooth
- Infection or gum disease (periodontal disease)
- Tooth decay in a partially erupted wisdom tooth
- Damage to a nearby tooth or surrounding bone
- Development of a fluid-filled sac (cyst) around the wisdom tooth
- Complications with orthodontic treatments to straighten other teeth
We invite you to call Whitehall Dental Center today at 715-538-1800 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Matthews and learn more about how you can benefit from dental bridges in Whitehall, Wisconsin.