Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last to emerge in the back of our mouths. While some people never experience any complications with their wisdom teeth, others may suffer from pain, infection, or other issues. Wisdom teeth can emerge at awkward angles, pushing against neighboring teeth and disrupting the alignment of the existing dental arch. This can lead to crowding, shifting and negatively impact the patient's smile and bite. If you're experiencing discomfort or have concerns about your wisdom teeth, visit San Jose Smile Center Dr Howard Defaii for more information.

Reasons to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow properly, they become impacted. This can cause the teeth to become misaligned or cause damage to the surrounding teeth.

Infection

Wisdom teeth that are partially erupted can become infected. This can lead to swelling, pain, and even fever. The infection can sometimes spread to the surrounding teeth and bone.

Crowding

The wisdom teeth can crowd the other teeth if they grow at an angle. This can cause misalignment of the teeth and lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Damage to Surrounding Teeth

Wisdom teeth can push against the other teeth, causing damage. This can happen if the teeth grow at an angle or the wisdom teeth are not aligned correctly.

Gum Disease

Wisdom teeth that are not cleaned regularly can lead to gum disease. This is because the bacteria from the wisdom teeth can get under the gum line and cause inflammation.

Cavities

Wisdom teeth can be challenging to clean because they are located at the back of the mouth. This can lead to cavities in the wisdom teeth and the surrounding teeth.

The Procedure for Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt in the mouth, and most have four wisdom teeth. These teeth can erupt properly and function just like other teeth, but often they are impacted, causing pain, infection, swelling, and other problems. Before your procedure, we will numb the area with a local anesthetic. Then, we gently remove the tooth or teeth. Sometimes, we may need to make gum incisions to access the tooth roots. Once the teeth are extracted, we will close the incision with stitches.

After your procedure, we will provide aftercare instructions to help you heal properly. We will also provide you with pain medication to help ease any discomfort you may feel after your surgery. The recovery process differs for everyone, but most people can return to normal activities within a few days. It is essential to follow all aftercare instructions provided by our office to ensure a smooth recovery.

Wisdom teeth extractions are standard procedures, and many individuals undergo this treatment to prevent or address potential dental problems. Visit San Jose Smile Center Dr Howard Defaii at 827 Blossom Hill Rd suite e-3, San Jose, CA 95123, or call (408) 227-5012 to determine if extraction is the right option for you.