Also called third molars, wisdom teeth are the large molars that develop in the back of the mouth during a person’s late teens or early twenties.
Is It Wise to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
This question has been considered by teens and parents for decades. The very best way to know if your or your child’s wisdom teeth need to come out is by undergoing a consultation with a dentist who’s experienced in the procedure.
At Smile Dental, we provide technologically advanced tools to aid in accurate diagnoses. Our training and expertise allow us to deliver practical, honest consultations regarding wisdom tooth removal. Contact our South Gate, CA dental office today to make an appointment to discuss if wisdom teeth extraction is necessary.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Though the pain associated with impacted third molars may develop as early as the teen years, the discomfort of wisdom teeth with large or angled roots usually presents later. The older a person is, the more difficult wisdom teeth extraction becomes, in many cases. Recovering from oral surgery involves more trauma and/or complications in a patient older than his early twenties.
Smile Dental and the American Dental Association recommend wisdom tooth removal in the late teens or early twenties. This age-range of patients tends to respond most favorably to the procedure and recovery.
Fun Facts: You May Not Have All 4 Wisdom Teeth
+Ten million wisdom teeth are extracted annually.
+Common thinking is that most people have 4 wisdom teeth, but that’s not the case. Here’s an interesting set of statistics for you:
Approximately 25% of humans have 1 to 3 wisdom teeth;
Approximately 35% have no third molars;
And over 50% have at least one wisdom tooth.
The number of third molars you have is dictated by either or both genetics and environment. Further, when you’re born, you’ve already developed teeth buds beneath your gums, for both primary and secondary teeth. So while you may not know how many wisdom teeth you have until the dentist takes X-rays, your body already knows.
+The oldest person to have developed a wisdom tooth was 98 years of age, according to Guinness World Records!
Reasons for Third Molar Extraction
In general, we see four main reasons for removing wisdom teeth.
The potential for later pain and complications (removal before or during eruption)
Full or partial impaction, which occurs when a tooth cannot erupt due to its position in the jaw
Difficulty cleaning; cavity or cyst formation
Root complications; the root presses on a nerve or neighboring teeth
Some people chose extraction of wisdom teeth before college or during their junior/senior year of high school as a preventive measure. While all oral surgeries have risks, early removal of wisdom teeth, before they erupt, can eliminate the potential for impaction, cleaning difficulties, or root complications later in life.
Other patients decide to wait and see if pain and complications arise as their third molars develop. However, once pain develops it could become intense.
Getting your wisdom tooth extraction is safe and affordable. Various factors define the total cost of the treatment, so if you have any questions about the cost or insurance coverage, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Wisdom teeth removal near South Gate, CA
To schedule an assessment and consultation with Dr. Shayan, so he can advise you on the wisest course of action for your third molars, contact us today online or by calling (323) 564-6906.
