Information About Wisdom Teeth
Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Contrary to the name, these teeth do not provide any additional wisdom to our patients, although it would be nice if they did! Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to emerge in your mouth. In the time of our ancestors, these teeth were used to help chew raw meat as well as fruits and vegetables. Now that we cook our food, these teeth are no longer necessary. In fact, many older teens and adults have their wisdom teeth removed.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Get Removed?
Wisdom teeth typically do not emerge in your mouth until the late teen or early adult years. By this time, there is not always adequate room in your mouth for the teeth to fit properly. Some patients may have wisdom teeth that are impacted, meaning they do not have enough room to grow in properly, so they remain trapped in the jawbone and need to be surgically removed. Wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean properly due to their location in the mouth, and some patients are prone to more decay developing in these teeth.
What to Expect During Treatment?
We don’t want you or your loved ones to be concerned about having your wisdom teeth removed. It is a common procedure. We first numb the treatment area using a local anesthetic. The next step involves removing any gum or bone tissue covering the tooth. The tooth is then removed, and dissolvable stitches are used to close the treatment site. We will provide specific recovery directions.
If your wisdom teeth are coming in and causing any discomfort, please reach out to our office located in Houston, TX to schedule an appointment. We want to be sure your teeth have enough room to fully emerge and talk to you about other measures that may need to be taken if not. We want you to have a happy and healthy mouth!
