Once a rite of passage among teens and young adults, wisdom tooth removal no longer happens automatically. Nevertheless, many people still opt to have their wisdom teeth or their children’s wisdom teeth removed in Greensburg, PA. Why all the fuss about the four back-most molars in your mouth? To be honest, many wisdom teeth just fail to fit in—and some turn into liabilities that can cause major problems until they are extracted by a trained oral surgeon.
Understanding and Anticipating Common Wisdom Tooth Issues
Of all the teeth eruptions, wisdom teeth tend to cause the biggest stir. Even before they break the gumline—if they get to that point—they frequently make their presence known. For instance, many people tell their oral surgeons about discomfort in the back of the mouth, or a feeling of pressure coming from erupting wisdom teeth.
The teeth are not fully to blame, though. The problem is the mouth: Often, mouths cannot accommodate wisdom teeth along with their 28 other teeth. Therefore, the wisdom teeth may become impacted, meaning they cannot fully erupt. Or, they may push against the adjacent teeth. Alternatively, they may partially erupt and become hard-to-clean places where food particles can hide and bacteria can build up.
Another concern with wisdom teeth is that they can make orthodontic treatment more difficult or impossible. Many orthodontics have patients’ wisdom teeth removed to make space in the mouth. Once the wisdom teeth are extracted by an oral surgeon, the remaining teeth can be gently and firmly repositioned using technology like traditional bracketed braces or clear aligner braces.
Yes, a Wisdom Tooth Checkup Is Wise
Patients of any age who believe their wisdom teeth are coming in should feel comfortable talking with an oral surgeon in Greensburg, PA, about their choices. An oral surgeon will use diagnostic tests like low-radiation x-rays to determine the state, growth, and eruption path of the wisdom teeth.
Depending upon the results, the oral surgeon may recommend removing the wisdom teeth even before partial or full eruption. On the other hand, the oral surgeon may suggest a “wait and see” approach if the mouth is large enough to accept the new teeth without causing other concerns like tooth shifting.
If you want to set up an appointment to talk about your or your family member’s wisdom teeth in Greensburg, PA, please call The Facial Surgery Center at 724-723-8918. Our office can arrange an appointment with double-board certified oral surgeon Dr. Edward J. Halusic. Dr. Halusic’s impressive career has spanned more than three decades. In addition to wisdom tooth removal, his skills include dental implant placement, bone grafting, and reconstructive jaw surgery.
