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Often times, wisdom teeth become trapped or impacted in the jawbone, or simply fail to erupt. This can cause crowding or displacement of other teeth, or lead to the development of localized tooth decay, infection, or gum disease. Impacted wisdom teeth are set in the jawbone in unusual positions, sometimes horizontally, which stops them from erupting in a normal way.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the final teeth to develop. Most of us have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. They usually emerge during our late teens or early twenties.
Wisdom teeth need to come out if any of the following problems are occurring:
When an impacted wisdom tooth starts to push through the gums, an infection can start around the top of the tooth. Infection and inflammation (swollen red gums) can cause pain, swelling and jaw stiffness.
A wisdom tooth may push nearby teeth out of their correct position and may cause crowding of front teeth.
Sacks of fluid called cysts can form around the tooth and may displace the tooth. The cysts can destroy bone and damage other teeth and gums.
An impacted wisdom tooth may keep pushing against the molars next to it. This often leads to a serious damage to both teeth.
A commonly asked question is 'Why do I need four wisdom teeth out?'
The impacted tooth causing problems needs to be extracted but so does its opposing tooth. This is because teeth keep moving until they hit something. So if only one tooth is extracted then the opposing tooth will keep moving (supererupts) until it hits the gingiva of the extracted tooth, causing problems.
As it supererupts, it also increases its surface area, causing more food and bacteria to accumulate around the tooth. So having the two opposing teeth out at the same time saves the extraction procedure and consequent healing time, occurring twice. Here, at Smile Concepts, patients also have the opportunity to have wisdom teeth extracted under Sleep Dentistry (IV Sedation)or local anaesthetic, whatever you prefer.
If you would like more information on Wisdom Teeth, Wisdom teeth extraction, Impacted wisdom teeth, IV sedation, Sleep Dentist, wisdom teeth removal, wisdom teeth Sydney, Dentist, please contact Smile Concepts directly by clicking here or ringing 02 9267 7777
