The third molars are the molars farthest back in the mouth, sometimes called the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth generally emerge between the ages of 17 and 21, though many wisdom teeth don’t emerge at all, instead remaining impacted beneath the gums. In some cases, there’s no need to extract the wisdom teeth, especially when they erupt healthily through the gums and don’t cause crowding of the surrounding teeth. When wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to fully erupt, however, they may begin to emerge at odd angles, potentially pressing against adjacent teeth and causing crowding and damage, or they may remain entirely entrapped in the gums, posing the threat of future complications. For these reasons, impacted wisdom teeth are often surgically removed, preventing the likelihood of future complications and reducing the risks that can accompany impacted teeth.
While some fully impacted wisdom teeth may never cause problems, they require regular monitoring from a dentist, using comprehensive dental x-rays. This helps ensure that the teeth haven’t led to any issues, and it facilitates prompt removal if they do start to cause problems. The typical timeframe for emergence of the wisdom teeth is late adolescence or early adulthood. In many cases, the wisdom teeth are monitored with x-rays early in their emergence, in case they begin to grow in a problematic angle or in case it’s clear there won’t be room for them to comfortably emerge. While x-rays are the most effective method for diagnosing impacted wisdom teeth, they may also cause such symptoms as swelling, pain in the jaw, a bad taste or smell in the mouth, or difficulty opening the jaw.
Depending on the location and severity of the impacted teeth, there are many issues that can arise. Some of these concerns include damage to the adjacent teeth or to the overall dental alignment, increased risk of tooth decay, periodontal cysts, and infections in the gums and oral tissues. Your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon if they determine that your wisdom teeth are impacted and causing problems or poised to cause problems down the line. Because the wisdom teeth have complex root systems that only increase in complexity as the teeth mature, oral surgeons often recommend extracting wisdom teeth earlier rather than later, when the roots are still relatively simple and the process is more straightforward. This is especially true for patients who have smaller mouths, which are less likely to be able to accommodate the wisdom teeth if they do emerge. If your dentist recommends regular monitoring of your wisdom teeth as they begin to emerge, make sure to see your dentist as recommended for periodic x-ray evaluations and dental checkups. If at any time, your dentist recommends wisdom tooth removal for you, you can meet with your oral surgery team to discuss the wisdom tooth extraction procedure in detail, reviewing any potential risks and making sure you have the information you need to have a smooth surgery, prompt recovery, and positive outcomes. Listening to your dental team and following their recommendations, both before and after an extraction as well as overall, can keep your teeth intact and even and will help you maintain the health and appearance of your entire oral cavity.
