Why do we have wisdom teeth?

tooth extraction

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…

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Why Dental Implants are the Ideal Tooth Replacement Solution

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Tooth loss is a serious problem and finding the tooth replacement method to meet your needs is incredibly important for your quality of life. Advancements in surgical techniques, prosthetic materials, and oral health technology have greatly improved the way dental professionals approach tooth replacement. Today, many regard dental implants as the ideal tooth replacement solution. While the science behind dental implants is well known among dentists and oral surgeons, the general public might not know how beneficial dental implants truly are. Below are a few reasons why dental implants make for excellent replacement teeth. Lifelike Replacement Teeth A dental implant replaces the root structure of teeth. This is done by embedding a titanium screw-like prosthetic (dental implant) into the jawbone through the empty tooth socket. Over time, bone fuses to the titanium structure of an implant so that it is stable and sturdy. Once the process of bone fusing to…

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Wisdom Teeth Removal: What are Pre-Extraction Considerations?

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Do you need your wisdom teeth removed? If so, more than likely, your dentist has referred you to an oral surgeon for a consultation. Removing wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure. Fortunately, modern techniques are used to reduce invasiveness and medication helps ease discomfort during and after one’s treatment. Having your wisdom teeth removed is beneficial to your oral health as it can reduce the risks for developing conditions such as abscesses and periodontal disease. If you have an upcoming extraction, there are some things to consider before your procedure. We recommend that patients having their wisdom teeth removed run errands prior to their procedure, stock up on recommended food items, and arrange for transportation to and from their appointments. Run Errands We recommend running all necessary errands prior to your appointment. This is because you will need to rest after your procedure. If you need to go shopping, pay…

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Wisdom Teeth Extraction: Optimize Whole Body Health

wisdom teeth extraction

Did you know that retaining wisdom teeth could be disastrous for your oral health and wellbeing? It’s true. Wisdom teeth are incredibly problematic because they are prone to disease and contribute to issues with the occlusion and tooth placement. Most dental professionals recommend that wisdom teeth be extracted to preserve a person’s oral health and quality of life. More than likely, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth extraction. Wisdom Teeth and Oral Disease Wisdom teeth contribute to common oral conditions like gum disease and dental caries because they are difficult to keep clean and because they provide space for bacteria and debris to collect. Over time, this situation leads to the gingiva becoming inflamed from irritants and teeth becoming infected. Moreover, the emergence of these teeth can cause issues with tooth placement and the occlusion. Even if a person has previously had orthodontic treatment,…

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Common Procedures Offered by Our Oral Surgeons

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Has your dentist or physician referred you to our practice for oral surgery? If so, you might be wondering what exactly an oral and maxillofacial surgeon does. The truth is that an oral surgeon provides an array of services and treatments that can increase oral function, correct abnormalities, and improve oral health. Some of our most common procedures include jaw surgery, tooth extractions, biopsies, and dental implant placement. Jaw Surgery Jaw surgery is a common oral surgery procedure that can address issues with jaw development and alignment. Corrective jaw surgery might be needed for those who have suffered with traumatic facial injuries as well. When it comes to jaw surgery, the primary concern is with oral function. Ideally, treatment should increase oral function – making it more comfortable and smooth. Secondarily, jaw surgery might be necessary for improving facial symmetry and balance. This is especially true if one jaw has…

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Why can’t children get dental implants?

dental implants

When a child loses a permanent tooth, parents may want to explore dental implants as a possible tooth replacement solution. Understandably, dental implants offer the most structurally complete tooth replacement and preserve the functionality and the appearance of the biological tooth. However, because their jaws are still developing, children typically are not good candidates for dental implants. If an oral surgeon placed a dental implant in a child’s jaw, there is a high likelihood that the dental implant would move out of the desired position as the jaw continued to grow and develop. Therefore, it is preferred to wait until jaw growth is complete before placing dental implants in children and adolescents. There may be some exceptions in which a child can get a dental implant as part of an overarching orthodontic treatment plan that helps to ensure the permanent positioning of the implant. However, these cases are quite rare.…

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What is orofacial pain and how can it be treated?

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Orofacial pain refers to discomfort in the oral cavity or along the face. Common areas include the jaw, beneath the ears, just under the cheeks, and inside the oral cavity. Orofacial pain can encompass a few different conditions. Since the origin of orofacial pain varies, our oral surgeons will need to conduct a thorough oral health evaluation to determine the appropriate course of action. When treating orofacial pain, the objectives are to increase oral function and improve one’s comfort level. Treatment for orofacial pain can include orthognathic (jaw) surgery and tooth extractions. Causes of Orofacial Pain There are two conditions that are responsible for the majority of oral facial pain. The first is teeth that have internal infections. Normally an abscessed tooth or one with pulpitis is to blame. Teeth that are abscessed or internally infected can produce severe pain. Unless a tooth can be saved with endodontic therapy or…

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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…

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Tips to Prepare for Your Oral Surgery Consultation

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If you’ve never had a consultation with an oral surgeon before, you may not know what to expect. That unfamiliarity can cause anxiety. But there’s really no cause for worrying about your first appointment, and when you are prepared for the process, it can put your mind at ease. You should bring your referral slip to the first appointment with your oral surgeon, as this information is important in the treatment planning process. It will indicate the specific nature of your problem and possible treatment options to consider, such as the placement of dental implants at the site of tooth loss or corrective jaw surgery to address a malocclusion. Your oral surgeon will then gather additional information needed to develop the treatment plan. This likely will involve a visual examination of your teeth and jaws along with x-rays to get a better view of the proposed surgical site. For example,…

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Wisdom Teeth Removal Helps to Keep Your Smile Straight

wisdom teeth extraction

Whether you were naturally graced with a straight smile or achieved one through orthodontic treatment, it’s important to consider wisdom teeth extraction in order to keep your smile looking its best. Impacted wisdom teeth can interfere with the alignment of your teeth as they continue to attempt to erupt into a jaw that does not have enough room to accommodate them. The teeth that are already in your mouth will still shift to try to make space for the wisdom teeth, though. The end result of this process can be a crooked smile. However, if you have an oral surgeon remove your impacted wisdom teeth before it reaches this point, you can avoid this outcome and keep your smile perfectly aligned. Why choose an oral surgeon? An oral surgeon typically removes impacted wisdom teeth because it is often necessary to remove surrounding bone before the tooth can be removed. This…

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