Wisdom Teeth Can Overcrowd the Mouth and Cause Misalignment

Wisdom teeth, which come in as a patient’s third set of molars, are the only teeth that are not necessary to the health or function of a patient’s mouth. In fact, these teeth are not only unnecessary, but they often lead to dental complications. If there is not enough room to accommodate the wisdom teeth, or if the wisdom teeth do not grow in at a proper angle (or are misaligned), they can put pressure on the adjacent teeth, causing oral health problems that may include misalignment of surrounding teeth. Wisdom teeth removal to comfortably extract these molar teeth may be recommended if signs of potential complication are present. For many of our Lincoln patients, wisdom teeth and misalignment problems can be avoided with preemptive treatment, which often includes wisdom teeth removal.

When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

Wisdom teeth usually emerge when a patient is a teen or young adult. This set of four additional molars may cause significant pain or discomfort when they are coming in, often because the dental ridge does not have sufficient room to support these teeth, or because the wisdom teeth are misaligned or sideways. In any of these cases, it is likely that Dr. Andrew R. Glenn will recommend that the wisdom teeth be removed. Extraction may also be necessary if one or more of the wisdom teeth is partially erupted. This can create an excess of bacteria around the gums surrounding the wisdom tooth, which may result in an infection or a cyst. Below are side effects that may result when complications occur with the wisdom teeth:

• Red, swollen gums at the back of the mouth
• Gum tenderness near the molars
• A raw gum line at the rear of the mouth
• Pain or discomfort

If any of these symptoms are present, patients should schedule an appointment with Dr. Glenn so that he can examine the mouth and the position of the wisdom teeth to determine if extraction is recommended. In about 80 percent of cases, we find that wisdom teeth removal is the best option. With preemptive treatment, many patients can avoid the following complications that may arise when wisdom teeth are left untreated:

• Difficulty chewing
• Pain
• Gum swelling
• Infection
• Jaw pain
• Misalignment of surrounding teeth

The Removal Process

In most cases, wisdom teeth removal is performed with the use of local anesthesia, although sedation dentistry is also available for those who prefer a deeper level of relaxation. It is best to perform wisdom teeth removal early on, before the teeth are fully formed, as this makes for an easier process. During the procedure, the wisdom teeth will be removed from the gum line and sutures will be used to close the gums. Patients will go home with prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics. It is normal for patients to experience some swelling and discomfort for several days after surgery. We will schedule an appointment about a week after surgery to check on the progress of healing and to remove the sutures.

Schedule an Appointment

Dr. Andrew R. Glenn is a skilled oral surgeon who is experienced in performing comfortable and successful wisdom teeth removal. If you are experiencing painful symptoms and believe that you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed, schedule an appointment with Dr. Glenn at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you.

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