Why do we have wisdom teeth?

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Most people know that wisdom teeth are commonly removed. This is because these teeth are often very problematic to oral health and wellbeing when they are retained. Even though it is common knowledge that many people have their wisdom teeth extracted, some people might be wondering why our bodies develop these teeth in the first place. Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Our early ancestor’s diets consisted of rough food like nuts and meats, which required stronger chewing forces resulting in excessive tooth wear. Due to bad oral hygiene practices along with the fact that dental care was not accessible, wisdom teeth came in handy because most people lost their other molars to disease by early adulthood. Now that people have access to high quality dental healthcare and are more educated about oral health, our first and second sets…

Do I need to have my wisdom teeth extracted before orthodontic treatment?

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Are you an adult who is planning on receiving orthodontic treatment? While it is never too late to improve the placement of your teeth, if you still have your wisdom teeth, a tooth extraction will likely be necessary so that you can enjoy optimal results with your braces. Adults who decide to wear braces will need some room in their mouths to move teeth, especially if teeth are crowded, crooked, and overlapped. A tooth extraction is a procedure that removes an entire tooth, including the roots. Fortunately, having your wisdom teeth removed will benefit more than just the effectiveness of your upcoming orthodontic treatment; it will benefit your oral health and quality of life as well. Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed before braces? Braces work by applying consistent pressure to teeth to move them over time; however, teeth need room to move and wisdom teeth can create…

Wisdom Tooth Extraction: What are the health benefits?

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A wisdom tooth extraction presents many health benefits to a person – especially from a preventive aspect. Wisdom teeth are troublesome to oral health because they contribute to an increased risk for gum disease, tooth decay, oral infections like abscesses, TMJ disorder, worn dentition, and orofacial pain. By have a wisdom tooth extraction, patients can prevent these unwelcome side effects and enjoy greater chances of maintaining vibrant oral health. Why are wisdom teeth detrimental to my oral health? Wisdom teeth are detrimental for a few reasons. The issues they cause stem from the fact that they arrive during adulthood while the rest of teeth come in during adolescence. Wisdom teeth’s late arrival leads to a crowded situation in the mouth and many times, wisdom teeth become stuck (impacted) in the bone and/or gums. Since they cannot erupt properly, the tooth may only come through the gums partially. A partially erupted…

Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction

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A root canal can help to save a severely damaged tooth by removing the pulp material so that it cannot become infected or to eliminate an active infection. However, for a number of reasons, root canals may not be feasible in all cases. When a root canal is not appropriate, the patient likely will need to undergo a tooth extraction on the damaged tooth. Although it’s preferable to keep a biological tooth whenever possible, when tooth extraction is unavoidable, it’s important for patients to begin thinking about a replacement tooth as soon as possible. Delaying this aspect of treatment may limit your options in terms of interventions. Patients who desire a structurally complete replacement tooth should consult with an oral surgeon about dental implants. These devices are small titanium cylinders that are biocompatible. That is, the bone material in the jaw is capable of forming a permanent bond with the…

Do all patients need to have their wisdom teeth extracted?

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Your wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the largest in your mouth. Unfortunately, many patients’ jaws are not wide enough to accommodate these sizable teeth, which can cause them to fail to erupt properly. Wisdom tooth extraction is typically recommended when the wisdom teeth are impacted. Some patients may not need a wisdom tooth extraction, however, if the third molars are not impacted. If they are able to emerge properly without incident, the patient may be able to keep those teeth. Nonetheless, a significant number of people choose to have their wisdom teeth removed as a preventive measure. You should be evaluated by an oral surgeon to determine what interventions, if any, are most appropriate in your case. You should also make sure that you understand the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure before making a decision on how to proceed. The oral surgeon can examine…

I’m Postponing Dental Treatment Because It’s Not Bothering Me

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Sometimes patients are tempted to put off a visit to the dentist because they’re not experiencing any discomfort or any other problematic symptoms. Unfortunately, this course of action actually increases the likelihood that the patient will develop dental pain and need a more radical intervention like a tooth extraction. When a patient sees a dentist twice a year, as is recommended, the dentist has more opportunity to detect potential problems in their earliest stages before they cause significant damage to the tooth or other oral structures. Additionally, periodic cleanings can help to lower the patient’s risk of developing a problem because that activity helps to limit the presence of harmful oral bacteria. Postponing treatment of a condition like tooth decay or gum disease can lead to serious consequences, as well. Waiting to address a cavity, for example, the decay may progress to the extent that the only possibly treatment is…

When is Tooth Extraction Recommended?

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For all of your life, you have strived to save your teeth. You have brushed and flossed and shown up for your regular dental checkups. You have made a reasonable attempt to heed your dentist’s warnings about eating too much candy and you may have even had a few fillings or crowns in your lifetime. So, why then, would there ever be a need to have your precious teeth taken out? With all of the emphasis on preserving your complete smile, when is tooth extraction recommended? There are certainly times when your dentist or oral surgeon might suggest removing one or more of your teeth. The recommendation is always justified when the extraction is in the best interest of your health, and it will always be accompanied by an informative discussion regarding the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the decision. Below, you’ll find a list of the most common reasons…

Tooth Extraction: What are my treatment options?

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Ideally, when a patient has experienced tooth decay or facial trauma, a dentist would be able to save the tooth. However, in some cases, teeth are so badly damaged by decay or injury that they cannot be saved through restorations and must be extracted. If a tooth extraction is more complex, it must be performed by an oral surgeon. On the other hand, simple extractions can be done by a general dentist. Of course, after your tooth extraction, you probably will want to explore some sort of tooth replacement option (unless it is a wisdom tooth, which has no impact on the smile’s appearance when it is removed). This will help to restore your smile’s appearance and functionality.  Patients have a number of treatment options when it comes to tooth replacement. A single missing tooth may be treated with a fixed permanent bridge, while the removal of an entire arch…

Treatment Options for a Fractured Tooth

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With modern dental techniques, most dental conditions can be successfully addressed and treated. Ultimately, your dentist would like to preserve as many of your natural teeth as possible with the help of corrective or restorative dentistry. There are instances, however, when a dental condition severely compromises the prognosis for your tooth. In other words, there are times when the chances of preserving a damaged tooth are particularly unfavorable. A common example would be a fractured tooth.  When a tooth is fractured or broken, even advanced restorative efforts are ineffective, and the most ideal treatment is generally tooth extraction. A fractured tooth can often extend far below the gumline, making it difficult to restore with a filling or a crown. Often times, after a traumatic injury, even a microscopic fracture in the root portion of the tooth can be impossible to repair. The ligaments and bone that surround the tooth root…

Don’t wait too long to extract a damaged tooth

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In dentistry, saving teeth is a top priority. The commitment to saving natural teeth is demonstrated by a strong emphasis on the prevention of dental disease. When the teeth have been compromised by tooth decay, trauma, or periodontal disease, the second line of defense is restorative dentistry. By restoring and strengthening as much of the natural tooth structure as possible, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of a full, healthy smile. Unfortunately, there are times when a tooth has been so badly damaged that it can no longer be restored. In fact, a severely damaged tooth can become a liability to your health and to your remaining teeth, forcing you to consider tooth extraction as the only feasible treatment option. If your damaged tooth is causing pain or discomfort, tooth extraction is typically an easy decision. When pain is not a factor, when the damaged tooth is towards the…