Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt and a frequent cause of jaw problems, particularly in teenagers and young adults.

These teeth generally erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Frequently, wisdom teeth may not have enough room to erupt fully into the mouth, resulting in partial eruption, or impaction of the wisdom teeth.

Should I have my wisdom teeth removed if they haven't caused any problems yet?

When your wisdom teeth align properly, your gum tissue around these teeth is healthy, the teeth are cavity-free, then wisdom teeth do not have to be removed.

Unfortunately, this does not usually happen. Brushing and flossing that far back in the mouth can also be difficult for many people leading to poor maintenance that can cause other problems.

Not all problems associated with third molars are immediately painful or visible. You may have damage without your being aware of it.

As wisdom teeth grow in our mouths, their roots become longer and the teeth may become more difficult to remove and complications from removal become more likely.

In addition, impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause problems as patients age due to such things as difficulty cleaning, food trapping and decay.

It is impossible to predict when third molar complications will occur, but when they do, the circumstances can be much more painful and the teeth more difficult to treat.

Estimates are that about 85% of third molars will eventually need to be removed.

Oral Examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, we 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.

In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or sedation.

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