Why should wisdom teeth be removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen.
The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.
Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt.
These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and can eventually cause an infection. The result may include swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness.
The pressure from erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt orthodontic or natural tooth alignment.
The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the impacted teeth usually resolves these problems.
Early removal is recommended to avoid future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.
