What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

wisdom teeth Murray

Evolution isn’t always tidy and linear. For example, we have smaller jaws than our ancestor’s thousands of years ago, but most of our bodies haven’t adapted by generating fewer teeth. Two-thirds of us generate the same amount of teeth as early humans. These late-developing extra molars are called wisdom teeth and they pose unique oral concerns.

When a wisdom tooth tries to erupt but is blocked by the adjacent tooth, it becomes impacted and can result in:

  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Tooth decay
  • Periodontal disease

It’s difficult to clean partially-erupted wisdom teeth. Since they have a high risk of decay, dentists pay special attention to them. They can also cause decay in the neighboring molars.

If they are causing dilemmas, your dentist will recommend they be removed. Your dentist may also recommend extraction to prevent future issues.

It is estimated that 85% of wisdom teeth need to be extracted. Wisdom tooth extraction is a routine outpatient procedure. Most patients experience minimal pain and recover in a few days.

If your high-schooler still has wisdom teeth and is going away to college this fall, we recommend an exam before they leave. You don’t want the teeth to start hurting them when they are away from their regular dentist or have them miss class to get them removed.

To schedule an exam and X-rays, call us at 801-938-8855.

 

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

 

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