What are wisdom teeth

The wisdom teeth are the last to emerge and grow in your mouth. They are also known as "third molars" in the medical field since they are the third set of molars to emerge. Your wisdom teeth emerge from their location behind your second molars and eventually breach the gums as they do so. They will gradually lengthen the rows of teeth you already have, if everything goes according to plan.But this is not always the case. Because of the potential issues that wisdom teeth could create, many people choose to have them extracted before they start to cause issues.Although the medical community may not always support it, prophylactic wisdom tooth removal is a very common practise.Dentists do agree that getting a wisdom tooth removed is the best option if problems arise.

How many wisdom teeth do you have?

Third molars showing various types of impaction

Four, one on each side of the upper and lower jaws, are present in the majority of persons. Others, however, might have much less or possibly none at all.A person may sporadically have up to six or even eight extra wisdom teeth.This frequently results in two sets of extractions; ouch!

When do your wisdom teeth come in?

They often erupt much later than the rest of our teeth do. Your wisdom teeth normally erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, whereas your second molars typically erupt around the age of 12. These teeth might not erupt until a person is in their 30s or 40s and may latent for years.

They may never deliver, but they also won't ever cause problems that need their removal. Third molars don't typically erupt at the same time, which is another crucial fact to remember. For instance, two completely developed wisdom teeth may be coming in from the bottom of your mouth while the top tooth is still growing. However, regardless of how far along they are, if you require an extraction, your dentist will likely remove all of your wisdom teeth.

Is something wrong if I have no wisdom teeth?

No, and it doesn't necessarily mean that you lack wisdom either.You might even argue that it shows you are more advanced than someone who does have them.People who are born without wisdom teeth are still able to eat normally, but they are not at danger for the same issues that the rest of us are.Don't get too enthusiastic, though. Your dentist will be able to take an x-ray to look for the earliest indications of wisdom teeth erupting.Even if they might not see any third molars, it's possible that they haven't yet erupted.And if you truly lack any, being "more evolved" won't grant you the ability to read minds or breathe underwater.

Do they hurt?

 

There are several reasons why you might experience pain in your third molars.

While we cover the basics of wisdom teeth and their removal in this post, you may visit our page on wisdom tooth pain to learn everything you need to know about:

• Causes of wisdom teeth pain before and after removal
• How long pain should last
• Common medications to provide relief
• Home remedies for pain
• Whether or not your pain is cause for concern

Mild pain, which is typical when your third molars erupt or for a few days after extraction, is typically not seen as hazardous. You should usually call a dentist if your pain is getting worse, you have a fever, or you are experiencing problems moving your jaw.

Why do wisdom teeth have to be removed?

Although it is a common practise in the US to remove wisdom teeth, this isn't always necessary.

A increasing body of studies suggests that routine removal can be a resource waster.

In fact, it can unnecessarily increase the patient's risk of problems. Some individuals are born with sufficient room in their jaw and mouth to accommodate the extra teeth. For the entirety of the patient's life, they can stay in place and continue to work regularly.

 

However, not everyone experiences the same consequences if their wisdom teeth are left in place.

These teeth are removed so frequently because of the issues they can bring on.

• Pain while growing
• Impaction
• Tooth decay
• Infection
• Abscess

The concerns brought on by your wisdom tooth erupting spontaneously are not included in our list of surgical complications. In our pages on wisdom tooth pain or recuperation from wisdom teeth extraction, you can learn more about additional issues.

Ask a dentist: Why should I get my wisdom teeth removed?

Typically, the final teeth in your mouth to erupt are your third molars. There is frequently no need to remove gums if they are healthy and are positioned correctly when you get them.However, the majority of people do not experience this:

• They grow in sideways, which can cause pressure against neighboring teeth and shift them
• Only partially emerge, which can cause bacteria and infection
• Don’t erupt at all and sit below the gums

All of these problems can be resolved by having your wisdom teeth removed, especially if the treatment is carried out quickly after the wisdom teeth begin to develop.

What are impacted wisdom teeth?

Overcrowding can lead to problems like impaction

When a wisdom tooth can't move into its ideal position and instead aligns itself diagonally or even sideways, this is known as wisdom tooth impaction. If left for a long enough period of time, it may push against the tooth after that and may cause other teeth to move.

Partially erupted teeth burst through the gum but are unable to fully emerge, whereas fully impacted wisdom teeth are still totally covered by gum tissue. Due to the opening created by partial eruption, bacteria are more prone to cause infection, gum disease, or decay.

Symptoms of impacted teeth include:

• Pain at the back of the mouth
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Gum pain or swelling
• Pain or sensitivity around a partially erupted tooth
• Headaches

But signs or pain are not always present with an impacted tooth.

Even if an x-ray reveals that you have impacted teeth, your dentist may decide to leave them alone if they aren't troubling you. Removal is frequently the best choice for people whose impacted wisdom teeth are causing them pain. One reason to get an impacted tooth removed as soon as possible is because as you age, your wisdom teeth's roots deepen and the bone that supports them grows more dense.

Therefore, if teeth are removed later in age, removal may be more challenging and result in a longer recovery. Your dentist may advise removal if the alignment of your teeth causes them any worry in order to avoid issues.

Another option is to get a second opinion from an oral surgeon.

Wisdom tooth decay and infection

The frequent prevalence of wisdom tooth decay is another justification for the usual removal of third molars. It is challenging to adequately clean these teeth because of their position in the rear of the mouth.Even persons with good oral hygiene may struggle to keep their back teeth clean. The area between the second and third molars is particularly prone to decay, which, if left untreated, can result in a tooth abscess or a more serious infection. Even in immature teeth, particularly those that are impacted, infection is possible. Back of the jaw pain and redness are mild signs of wisdom tooth infection.

Your diseased wisdom teeth's surrounding area will enlarge as well. You can exhibit signs like a fever or a clear abscess in the back of your mouth if your wisdom teeth infection is more severe.

Additional signs of a severely infected wisdom teeth include pus oozing from the infection and a bad taste or odour. You should see your dentist right away if you have any type of tooth pain that might be caused by an infection in your wisdom teeth because the problem will only get worse with time.

How do wisdom teeth get pulled out?

Many times, dentists can remove wisdom teeth themselves in a nearby dental office. More challenging cases, however, might be sent to a hospital-based expert surgeon. X-rays will show the location of your teeth so that the extraction can be planned.

Ask a dentist: Will I be in any pain while my wisdom teeth are being removed?

General anesthesia is not typically required for the removal of your wisdom teeth but there are several ways to keep you comfortable during the procedure, all of which fall into the categories of mild or moderate sedation. Here are the options that are usually available to you:

• Local Anesthesia: This anesthetic only numbs the surgical area. You will remain awake and aware of the entire procedure, but the anesthesia will prevent discomfort.

• Nitrous Oxide Sedation: Laughing gas is inhaled through a mask and serves as a sedative and mild pain reliever. You will remain awake and feel at ease. 

• IV Sedation: This method is administered into the arm and puts you in a semi-conscious state. You will wake up after surgery and not remember the procedure. 

You must make arrangements for a responsible adult to accompany you throughout the procedure and drive you home after IV sedation. Since general anaesthesia can completely knock you out, it is only used for major dental procedures like jaw surgery

Dr. Eric Wood, DDS, Utah Surgical Arts

Although having teeth extracted is never a pleasant experience, your dentist or oral surgeon will make every effort to minimise your agony. Although some surgeries to remove wisdom teeth are done while the patient is under general anaesthesia, you will typically receive a local anaesthetic to numb the area. It is possible to request sedation if you are extremely anxious.

Removing erupted wisdom teeth

Your dentist will need to loosen the tooth in the socket before extracting it. He or she will accomplish this by firmly holding it with a dental tool before swaying or twisting it. The site should only be under some demand.

This only takes a few minutes in simple scenarios.

Removing a partially erupted or impacted wisdom tooth

Taking out an impacted or partially erupted wisdom tooth. It is more difficult and could take longer if your tooth is below the gum line or has barely partially emerged. Surgery to remove a wisdom tooth normally takes 30 to 60 minutes.

An impacted wisdom tooth will take a bit longer

A wisdom tooth that is impacted will require more time. To access the tooth, the dentist might need to create a gum incision. Sometimes it is necessary to break the impacted wisdom tooth into fragments in order to facilitate removal, along with a little portion of bone. Because you will be given anaesthetic before the removal of your wisdom teeth, you shouldn't experience any pain. Tell your dentist right away if it does begin to hurt so they can further anaesthetize the region. The dentist will use dissolving stitches to sew up any incisions made after the tooth is removed. You shouldn't need to visit the dentist again after 7 to 10 days because these stitches should fall out on their own.

The following animation describes the various types of tooth impaction and the methods utilised for extraction:

https://youtu.be/fqoD3l_yvos

Removing infected wisdom teeth

A dentist would typically recommend antibiotics for a period of time before to removal of your wisdom teeth if they are exhibiting infection-related symptoms. You can have your wisdom teeth removed when the swelling and other symptoms go away. Whether or not your wisdom teeth are affected at this stage, your surgery should proceed normally. after extraction, recovery. The recovery process from the operation can take a few days to two weeks. Following your dentist's recommendations is generally the best advise we can give if you've had a wisdom tooth removed. Along with a list of items to eat and a timetable for getting back to your usual level of exercise, they ought to send you home.

Recovery after extraction

It can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks to fully recover from the surgery. 

In general, the best advice we can give if you've had a wisdom tooth extraction is to follow the instructions given to you by your dentist. They should send you home with a list of foods to eat, as well as a timeline for returning to your normal level of activity.

How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?

The cost of having your wisdom teeth removed varies across dentists and is location-specific, but on average it costs between $140 and $400 per tooth.

The cost of removing a wisdom tooth can hurt too.

It might be expensive to get a wisdom tooth removed. The number of teeth you need to have extracted and how simple they are to reach affect the price of wisdom tooth removal.The removal of upper wisdom teeth is typically simpler and less expensive than that of lower ones. Impacted teeth are typically substantially more expensive, costing between $300 and $600 each tooth. Due to the necessity for medicines, infection can further increase the price of wisdom teeth removal.

Conclusion

Although not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, many individuals have undergone the procedure at some point.

The removal of wisdom teeth is a regular dental treatment, and dentists will do everything they can to reassure you, minimise any discomfort, and explain the procedure and its cost.

Even though you could experience some discomfort for a few days following the treatment, heeding your dentist's recommendations will hasten your recovery.

We've compiled a list of common wisdom teeth symptoms here, along with advice on what to do if you experience them::

What is happening	Symptoms	What to do
Regular toothache	Jaw pain in front teeth or first/second molars	If symptoms get worse, schedule a checkup with your dentist
Wisdom tooth growing	Slight jaw or gum pain in the back of the mouth	Tell your dentist at the next checkup
Wisdom tooth erupting	Red and swollen gums, jaw pain in back of mouth, tooth	Call a dentist to schedule an X-ray
Partially erupted wisdom tooth	Soreness and swelling, X-ray shows erupting tooth is impacted	Call to schedule an extraction surgery
Fully impacted wisdom tooth	Jaw pain, gum pain, headaches - or possibly no symptoms but X-ray shows impaction	If you experience symptoms, talk to your dentist about an extraction
Infected wisdom tooth	Increased swelling and redness in the back of mouth and jaw, visible abscess or pus drainage, foul smell or taste, fever	Call for an emergency dentist appointment right away to begin antibiotics and schedule an extraction

It is best to talk to your dentist if you have a serious wisdom tooth ache.Even if the pain is only caused by the eruption of new teeth, you will be relieved to have the issue resolved if it is something more serious.