The Last Molars’ Wisdom

A lot of us experience problems during the growth of our third molars. Unattended wisdom teeth can cause crowding and malocclusion. The patient can also suffer from pericoronitis where the tooth erupts partially. In this post we look to identify the problems associated with wisdom teeth and their treatments. Our last set of molars sprout near the end of our teen years or early twenties. Considered as a more sensible and mature age, the title ‘wisdom tooth’, is derived from the timing of the growth more than anything else. While wisdom teeth are considered a part of the full set, they are known to cause alignment problems. This is mainly because our teeth are already aligned in a set by the time the third molar erupts. “The tooth has to grow within the space available, and sometimes it is not enough. This causes a lot of pressure on the other teeth, as they squirm around to make some room. Think about getting into a full elevator,” explains a dentist in Diamond Bar CA. Wisdom teeth are usually the culprits in teeth crowding, although the condition can exist prior the growth as well. Apart from teeth crowding, wisdom tooth can also cause infection and swelling. This happens when the tooth becomes impacted, enclosed in gum tissue. This partial eruption can help increase bacterial activity around the teeth as they become much more difficult to clean. Bacterial organisms can seep into the gum enclosure, forming deposits near the tooth. This effect causes infection along with severe bouts of pain. The enclosed tooth is also more prone to decay and gum disease, “It’s a common problem, the tooth sometimes does not surface completely, leaving a flap covering the biting surface or a layer of soft tissue surrounding the tooth. This can cause complications because the patient can’t brush nor floss properly. The tooth is just not reachable,” shares the Diamond Bar dentist, adding, “Hence, the bacteria go on a spree damaging the gum and tooth.” Treatment: Extraction: If the wisdom tooth is expected to cause crowding or misalign itself, most dentists would recommend having it removed. The earlier this is done, the quicker your jaw and gum can heal. As we grow, our jawbone gets harder, making it more difficult and painful. “It’s easier to pull out a fully erupted tooth but it’s much different if it’s enclosed in gum tissue,” explains the Diamond Bar dentist. The enclosed tooth is extracted in portions in order to save as much bone as possible. Oral Surgery: If the problem is imperfect eruption and the patient is experiencing swelling, you can find some relief by rinsing your mouth with lukewarm salt water. However if the area gets infected, you should consult your dentist for an antibiotic treatment. If the problem (pericoronitis) is reoccurring, the patient can choose to have the gum flap removed through an oral surgeon. “It’s always better to consult a dentist or an orthodontist when your wisdom tooth begins to appear. Planned growth or removal can help you address the problem much more effectively,” suggests the dentist in Diamond Bar CA.