What are wisdom teeth?
The third molars, known simply as wisdom teeth, erupt between the ages of 17 and 21 years old. The average person's mouth will comfortably hold 28 of the 32 teeth we are predisposed to have. Since the wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, there is often little room left to accommodate their size and anatomy. During your check-up, your dentist may take x-ray to diagnose the need for their removal. This x-ray gives the dentist a clear view of the area around the wisdom teeth, to determine the type of extraction necessary for each tooth. If you require surgery to remove your wisdom teeth, it is helpful to prepare yourself before your appointment for a speedy recovery.

Each individual wisdom tooth is unique and depending on how it grows, it can have different impact on bones and/or tissues. Their varied developments such as impaction, horizontal or slant placement may affect other teeth and cause troubles. They have to be extracted out and,is a highly skilful job.

The following 4 impactions are commonly found in patients cases.

If the impaction is between the third molar and part of the second molar, this kind is called bone impaction. It can subcategorized into vertical, horizontal, and angular depending on the way they are intersecting.

» Bone Impaction (Vertical)
Impaction would cause pathosis inside the cheek bone or jaw bone.
» Bone Impaction (Horizontal)
Besides leading pathosis, horizontal placement would hurt the hard tissue of the second molar to cause toothache and cavities.
» Bone Impaction (Angular)
Besides leading pathosis, angular placement would hurt the hard tissue of the second molar to cause toothache and cavities.

Why are wisdom teeth removed?
» They are erupting in to an abnormal position, such as tilted, sideways or twisted.
» They are trapped below the gum line due to lack of space.
» An infection has developed from trapped food, plaque and bacteria, known as pericoronitis.
» The way the patients teeth bite together has changed, causing misalignment of the jaws.
» The erupted wisdom tooth lacks proper hygiene, because it is hard to reach, resulting in tooth decay.

How are wisdom teeth removed?
» Firstly we numb the tooth and tissues in the area of the mouth, where the wisdom teeth are located, with local anesthetic.
» Any tissue and bone that is covering the tooth will be removed with the appropriate surgical instruments.
» Extraction instruments are used to loosen the tooth from any connective tissue in the tooth's socket.
» Once the tooth is loose enough, it is removed.
» It may be necessary for us to use stitches to close the tissue to aide in the healing process.

Follow all of the instructions after surgery for a full recovery.