Wisdom Tooth Removal Galloway OH
Do I Really Need My Wisdom Teeth Out?
At some point, just about everyone has to make the decision whether or not to have their wisdom teeth removed. Honestly, it’s a hotly-debated topic in dentistry. In many parts of the world, they are almost always removed during a person’s mid-teens to early twenties, before problems occur and when a person heals the quickest. In other places, they are only removed if they develop problems, often in middle-age or later. Like many things in healthcare, there are multiple options, each with their own pros and cons.
Third molars, or wisdom teeth as they are commonly called, often do not erupt into a person’s mouth like other teeth. It’s been suggested that they are leftover from many years ago when our jaws were larger and had room for more teeth. Most people have four, but it’s not unusual for someone to have zero, two, or even six!
Even when these teeth come in all the way, they are more difficult to keep clean because of how far back they are. When they only erupt part of the way into someone’s mouth it becomes even harder to keep them healthy.
That’s why issues can develop like:
- Cavities that can spread to other molar teeth
- Gum pain and infection
- Cysts deep within the jaw
So I Should Have Them Removed, Right?
The reason that there’s some debate about whether to remove wisdom teeth is because the latest studies tell us that if we leave them alone, the chance of having these problems is less than 10 percent. There’s another piece of this puzzle, though. We know that if you end up in that 10 percent that has issues it’s often going to be later in life when the teeth are harder to remove, the chance of complications such as permanent numbness is often higher, and the healing time is longer. All of this at a time in someone’s life when they are probably busier than ever!
So How Do I Decide?
As part of your exam at Galloway Smiles, we make sure to evaluate your or your children’s wisdom teeth and inform you of all your options. When possible, if it looks like they should be removed then we offer to take them out in our office with numbing and possibly IV conscious sedation. For many people, the right choice is to see an oral surgeon, a dental specialist with extensive training in wisdom tooth removal and anesthesia. We can explain all your options and help you decide what’s right for you or your loved ones.
If you have a problem with a wisdom tooth, or if they are coming in and you’re not sure what to do, then call our office and we’ll be happy to help you figure out what is going on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not everyone needs to get their wisdom teeth removed; some patients have wisdom teeth that can fit in their mouth and don’t require removal. However, because these teeth are hard to clean, they must still be monitored for tooth disease. Some people never even develop wisdom teeth. For the rest of us, wisdom tooth extraction is necessary to prevent future oral complications.
Wisdom tooth removal is a dental procedure that surgically extracts one or more wisdom tooth—the four permanent teeth located in the back corners of the mouth on the top and bottom. If a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to grow in, you may experience pain, infection, and other problems. Sometimes your Galloway, OH dentist will recommend getting the procedure even if your wisdom tooth isn’t causing immediate problems.
Why You Might Need A Dental Extraction
Many factors go into the decision for wisdom tooth extraction, including some of the following:
- Impaction: If there is overcrowding or not enough room for your wisdom tooth to grow out comfortably, they can become impacted, making them come in at an angle. Many patients experience pain and discomfort through this, and eating can be difficult.
- Disease: If the space between the molars is very narrow, bacteria can quickly form and put you at risk for inflammation, gum disease, or cysts.
- Tooth problems: Wisdom teeth can push against the surrounding teeth and potentially damage them, which can lead to tooth decay. Patients who are in the process of straightening their teeth with braces might experience complications when wisdom teeth grow in.
- Preventing future dental problems: Even with enough space for the wisdom tooth to erupt, they are hard to get to and clean properly. If food particles are trapped between teeth or bacteria settles in, patients can be at risk for gum disease or tooth decay.
Contact Galloway Smiles
If your wisdom teeth are growing in and you are worried that there may be complications, please contact Galloway Smiles today. Call our Galloway, OH dental office to maintain a healthy smile!
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Josh Halderman
Dr. Josh Halderman is from Centerville, Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University for both his dental degree and his undergraduate degree in Zoology. He has practiced in Columbus since 2006 and in 2016 found his permanent home at Galloway Smiles.
Dr. Halderman is passionate about treating his patients like family and constantly improving his techniques and materials. He has additional training in dental implants and sedation to make your dental visit as comfortable as possible.
Outside of the office Dr. Halderman enjoys working out, martial arts, cooking, reading, and spending ...