Wisdom Teeth and Tooth Extractions

Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?

Good question! In short, there typically isn’t enough room for our wisdom teeth. Why? Because our jaws generally don’t grow large enough to provide the space necessary for wisdom teeth to properly fit in. Since there isn’t enough room for them to erupt properly, wisdom teeth often come in at an angle or don’t fully emerge, resulting in further complications.

Additionally, wisdom teeth (third molars) will often damage adjacent teeth, (second molars). We recommend removing wisdom teeth before they create a serious problem, and to avoid more complicated surgery. Unfortunately, we see few people who do not require wisdom teeth removal.

More on Wisdom Teeth…

Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt and typically do so between 17-21 years of age. While properly aligned wisdom teeth and healthy gum tissue would be ideal conditions, unfortunately, this is not the norm.

Often, wisdom teeth grow at an angle. Sometimes they only partially emerge from the gum. In some more serious cases they remain trapped beneath gum and bone. Impacted wisdom teeth can occupy many positions in the bone as they struggle to find a pathway where they can successfully erupt.

If your wisdom teeth partially erupt, bacteria can form which often leads to infection. The result is swelling, pain, stiffness in your jaw, and all too often, resulting illness. To make matters worse, tumors or cysts can also form around impacted wisdom teeth. This more serious condition can result in the destruction of your jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted teeth typically resolves the above problems, and early removal is recommended to avoid future problems and decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Bear in mind that problematic wisdom teeth often disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of other teeth in close proximity. Extraction of wisdom teeth becomes necessary when they cannot properly erupt from your gums. With an oral examination and 3D Scan, we can determine the position of your wisdom teeth and inform you of any current issues.

Are you experiencing jaw pain or pain around your wisdom teeth?

Kindly call us at (203) 967-3707 to schedule an appointment. Or, if after hours, kindly complete our simple form below. Early evaluation and treatment often result in the best outcome for our patients.

In a word, experience. Dr. Sciarrino has spent three decades providing the finest in dental surgery to Fairfield County patients.