Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth (also known as third molars) are the last permanent teeth to appear (erupt) in the mouth – they are the four adult teeth located at the back corners of your mouth on the top and bottom. These teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people never develop wisdom teeth, some people have wisdom teeth that erupt normally and cause no problems, while many others have them removed for one of the following reasons:
Impacted wisdom teeth - Because these teeth are so far back in the mouth, they can become trapped in your jawbone or gums (which can be painful). An impacted wisdom tooth includes those growing in at an angle. Impacted wisdom teeth may erupt only partially or not at all (they remain hidden in the jaw bone and only seen on an x-ray).
Not enough space - Your jaw has no room for an extra set of molars. A patient who is undergoing Orthodontic treatment may be directed to remove their wisdom teeth to allow room for other teeth to “straighten” and to prevent the wisdom teeth from pushing against the other teeth which could causing crowding.
Decay or gum disease – If you are unable to reach your wisdom teeth with your toothbrush or dental floss, it can lead to decay or gum disease.
Development of a cyst around the wisdom teeth – Sometimes a fluid-filled sac (or cyst) can develop around the wisdom tooth. This will be seen on an x-ray and requires removal of the tooth.
To prevent future problems – Sometimes it is recommended to have them extracted even if they are not currently causing any problems. This is a preventative approach to avoid unforeseen future problems that wisdom tooth may cause.
Wisdom teeth removal is an outpatient surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth, and is usually performed with IV Sedation, but not always. Depending on the expected complexity of the wisdom tooth extraction and your comfort level, treatment can be performed without the need for IV Sedation. Other options include: Nitrous Oxide, Oral Conscious Sedation or local anesthesia alone may be enough if they are not impacted wisdom teeth or if you only have one or two present.
Dr. Gary S. Barker has been removing wisdom teeth for over 30 years and takes great care to ensure your procedure goes as smooth as possible. Please call our Pasadena, MD office at 410-647-6453 to set up your consultation appointment today!