The transition of the current generation to softer diets has also modified the growth pattern of the jaws, leading to a space constraint for the eruption of “wisdom teeth.” This not only creates an imbalance in the position of other teeth but can also lead to issues like infections, pain, and gum inflammation. Impacted wisdom teeth may push against neighboring teeth, causing crowding or misalignment. In some cases, cysts or decay can form around the partially erupted tooth, increasing the risk of further complications. For these reasons, when a wisdom tooth cannot erupt into its proper position, it is often safest and healthiest to have it removed to prevent future dental problems.

Wisdom teeth that are healthy and in the right position usually don’t cause problems. You may have a problem if any of the following occur:

• Your wisdom teeth break through your gums only partway because of a lack of space. This can cause a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. The flap can trap food and lead to a gum infection.
• They come in crooked or facing in the wrong direction causing cheek bite and ulcers at times.
• Your wisdom teeth may get stuck (impacted) in your jaw and not be able to break through your gums leading to referred pain in jaw or head and neck.
• They are so far back in your mouth or crowded that you have trouble cleaning around them.
• Partially erupted teeth may also affect the tooth adjacent to it, by causing decay due to food lodgment or resorption of the root of adjacent tooth.
• A cyst may form around this impacted tooth. This can damage the bone or roots of adjacent teeth.

Do I need Removal of Wisdom Teeth?

If your wisdom teeth are causing the following symptoms, in that case removal of the wisdom tooth would be recommended:

• Pain or jaw stiffness near an impacted tooth.
• Pain or irritation from a tooth coming in at an awkward angle and rubbing against your cheek, tongue, or top or bottom of your mouth.
• An infected swelling in the flap of gum tissue that has formed on top of an impacted tooth that has broken partway through the gum.
• Crowding of other teeth.
• Tooth decay or gum disease if there isn’t enough room to properly clean your wisdom tooth and nearby teeth.

Procedure for Removal:

If the wisdom teeth are completely erupted, the tooth (or teeth) will be removed without surgical intervention. After surgery, you may be asked to bite down softly on a piece of gauze for 30 to 45 minutes after you leave the office, to limit any bleeding that may occur. If the wisdom teeth are impacted and embedded in the bone, the oral surgeon will put an incision into the gums and remove the tooth or teeth in sections in order to minimize the amount of bone being removed. Some pain and swelling may occur, but it will normally go away after a few days; however, you should call your dentist or oral surgeon if you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever. Removal of wisdom teeth due to crowding or impaction should not affect your bite or oral health in the future. If surgery is completed, swelling and tenderness in the face and neck are common, as is bruising. Ice packs and pain medications prescribed by the dentist or oral surgeon will help.