- September 3, 2018
- Admin
The evolution of the human race has meant that today we no longer need the wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, these teeth, which grow last in the mouth, are often unwelcome in the mouth, since they have no place to grow.
The subject of wisdom teeth often brings back the same questions: do not we need all our teeth? When is it necessary to deal with an extraction of these? Is it possible to extract 2 or 4 teeth at the same time? This article will attempt to answer some questions about wisdom teeth.
When do the wisdom teeth appear in the mouth?
The wisdom teeth are formed early in life. Indeed, from the age of 8 to 10 years, the draft of these is available on x-rays. At the age of 12, the crown of these forms and the roots are completed around the age of 17 or 18 years. These will start to grow, which explains that at age 25, 90% of the wisdom teeth with enough space on the jaw will have appeared in the mouth.
What is the ideal age for extracting wisdom teeth?
If you want to prevent any problem with the wisdom teeth, it is recommended to do an examination at the age of 15 or 16 to understand the progression of the teeth in the mouth. Since the roots are not fully formed at this time, it will be much easier to extract the teeth if this proves necessary. The best age to provide the least risk during surgery is between 16 and 20 years old. Since the roots are shorter and less well formed, they are easier to manage. Several other factors like the tenderness and flexibility of the bones surrounding the teeth make the surgery and the healing process a lot easier too.
Why would it be necessary to remove the wisdom teeth?
Several reasons can bring the need for the extraction of wisdom teeth. In the first place, it is possible that their presence causes pain in some people. In this case, it is recommended to extract the teeth.
Secondly, it is possible that the tooth only grows half or barely pierces the skin. In this case, the tooth is very hard to reach and almost impossible to clean properly, which can cause infections that can degenerate.
Third, it is possible that the wisdom tooth does not grow upright. In this case, it will exert pressure on the molar that is stuck to it and will damage it over time, which may require to extract it too. In this situation, it is important to extract the wisdom tooth before it damages the other teeth around it.
How is the extraction procedure performed?
To be certain of the difficulty of the case, the dentist will take an x-ray of the mouth before doing the operation. Depending on the patient's level of apprehension, the dentist may choose to prescribe sedatives before the surgery.
This operation is done under local anesthesia. It is often recommended to extract the 4 teeth at the same time to avoid imbalance in the mouth.
The dentist will begin exposing the tooth, and then extracting it. Afterwards, he will make resorbable sutures to close the wound. He will prescribe painkillers and give you several instructions for the days following the operation. The entire surgery usually lasts 2 hours, and the dentist might ask to see you again if he feels the need, to make sure everything is fine in your mouth.
It is very important to follow your dentist's advice following your operation. You will not be able to do certain activities for a while to ensure a good healing of your wounds. So, it is important to ask the right questions to your dentist and take notes as needed.
If you have additional questions about the wisdom tooth extraction operation, do not hesitate to make an appointment with our clinic for more information, it will be our pleasure to answer your questions!
Approved by Dre Charouk
Dr. Joumana Charouk, D.M.D, is proud to offer her patients exceptional care that combines experience, efficiency and good humor.
Dre Joumana Charouk, D.M.D