Do All Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

We may refer to them as “wisdom” teeth, but these adult teeth have little to do with knowledge. Instead, they earned the nickname because they usually make an appearance once you reach adulthood — or between 17-21 years of age. That’s also around the time when people start having them extracted. But is this really necessary?

In an ideal world, a person could keep these teeth, formerly known as third molars. However, in reality, they often cause more trouble than good. Because of that, it’s more common for people to have their wisdom teeth removed before issues arise.

At Dentistry on Park, Dr. Daniil Payziyev and our team can help you decide whether to remove your wisdom teeth. Part of this involves a consultation with X-rays to identify problems before these teeth even appear. 

Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Here’s how they can cause problems.

Why wisdom teeth cause issues

The reason wisdom teeth have earned a reputation for being a problem involves how they grow or don’t grow. 

To start, wisdom teeth are late to the party and often don’t have enough room to develop or emerge properly. Instead, they get stuck — or impacted — partially or fully below the gumline. This may not seem problematic, but it can cause numerous issues, from pain to tooth damage and an increased risk of decay. 

It’s also common for these pesky molars to grow at awkward angles, either toward the back of the mouth, into the jaw, or against nearby teeth. All of these issues mean wisdom teeth can trigger a variety of problems, such as:

• Pain
• Tooth and bone damage
• Extensive tooth decay
• Chronic infections, gum disease, and fluid-filled cysts
• Overcrowding, misalignment, and bite issues

Unfortunately, wisdom teeth are also fairly unpredictable. So, it’s possible they won’t cause any issues. However, it’s often easier to remove them to avoid future problems.

What to expect with wisdom tooth extraction

First, our team performs a comprehensive dental exam to determine whether you should remove your wisdom teeth. Based on this assessment, we provide personalized guidance on removing these molars if needed.

Removing wisdom teeth typically requires one of two techniques. When visible, we can usually remove the tooth with a simple extraction. However, you could require a surgical extraction if it lies below the gum line.

Regardless of which method we use to remove these teeth, you can rest easy knowing you remain relaxed and pain-free every step of the way. That’s because we don’t do a thing without anesthetics, like local, general, and oral conscious sedation.

After having your wisdom teeth out, you can expect minor discomfort and swelling for a few days. However, following our detailed instructions will ease your symptoms, keep you comfortable, and help you heal quickly. This strategy usually includes drinking plenty of cold liquids, applying ice to your jaw, and taking pain relievers for at least 24 hours.

Removing your wisdom teeth may seem daunting, but it’s far easier than you might expect, especially in our experienced hands. Plus, it’s usually better to do this at a younger age before the bone and tooth root fully form.

Should you have your third molars removed? Contact Dentistry on Park to schedule a consultation on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York, by calling or requesting a visit online today.