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Everything You Need To Know About Wisdom Teeth Removal

If your dentist has told you that it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth, he may have referred you to an oral surgeon for the procedure. Wisdom tooth extraction is a specialized surgical procedure to remove one or more of the four wisdom teeth located at the back corners of your mouth.

At North Shore Smile Surgery, we’ve successfully performed thousands of wisdom teeth removal surgeries at our state-of-the-art facility in Buffalo Grove. If you’re nervous about your upcoming wisdom tooth removal appointment, our oral surgeons are here to put your mind at ease.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about wisdom teeth removal so you are well-prepared for the procedure when it comes time to go to the oral surgeon.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

what are wisdom teeth?

Anthropologists believe that wisdom teeth, or our third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our early ancestors’ diet of coarse and rough food. As the modern diet trended towards softer foods and eating utensils, the natural need for wisdom teeth became virtually nonexistent. As a result, evolutionary biologists now classify wisdom teeth as vestigial organs, or body parts that have become functionless due to evolution.

is wisdom teeth removal completely necessary?

Not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted by a dental professional. If your wisdom teeth grow in cleanly without compromising your adjacent teeth, they can be retained without concern as long as the person brushes and flosses their teeth on a regular basis.

The condition of your wisdom teeth can change a lot between the ages of 16 and 23, so it’s imperative to have them regularly examined by a dental professional. Wisdom teeth can cause problems if there isn’t enough space in your mouth for them to grow or if they start growing in the wrong position. If your dentist says that your wisdom teeth are impacted, that means that they are still trapped in your jaw under your gums.

As wisdom teeth slowly make their way through your gums, your dentist will monitor your mouth for any of the following:

  • Wisdom teeth that aren’t growing in the proper position: These can trap food in between your teeth. This can give cavity-causing bacteria an easy place to fester which can lead to toothaches and tooth decay down the line.
  • Wisdom teeth that don’t have enough room to fully grow: These can cause damage to neighboring teeth.
  • Wisdom teeth that have partially come through: These can give bacteria a new place to enter near the gums which can lead to infection.

Since the human jaw has become smaller and smaller over time, wisdom teeth can often become impacted, or blocked by the teeth around them. Many dentists recommend removing your wisdom teeth before they become a problem in order to avoid more complicated oral surgery in the future.

Wisdom Teeth Problems

wisdom teeth problems

If your dentist recommended the removal of your wisdom teeth, it’s always best to get the procedure done sooner rather than later. Wisdom teeth problems are more likely to occur in adults over the age of 30.

Some common signs that your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal include:

  • Infection
    •  At North Shore Smile Surgery, many of our wisdom teeth removal patients have experienced a localized gum infection known as pericoronitis. When you don’t have enough room in your mouth for a total eruption, the gum tissue surrounding your wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected. This can result in pain and swelling of the gums, along with problems when it comes to chewing and swallowing.
  • Cyst Formation
    • If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, you may experience cyst formation. Cysts are fluid-filled balloons that can be found inside your jaw bone that often develop as a result of impacted teeth. This can be extremely difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth were not removed during your teenage years.

As a leading provider of wisdom teeth removal, North Shore Smile Surgery in Buffalo Grove is committed to handling all of your oral surgery needs.

Schedule an appointment for your wisdom teeth removal today!

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