Blog Post

How Your Dentist Evaluates the Urgency of Wisdom Teeth Extraction

  • By websitebuilder
  • •
  • 15 Jun, 2018
Dentist Talking To A Patient
The majority of smile-related developmental milestones appear to pass before individuals enter middle school. By the time you entered adolescence, you probably assumed you wouldn't have to deal with the discomfort of erupting teeth or the strange sensation of empty sockets again.

However, many individuals need to have one more such experience after losing their baby teeth — this time with the help of a qualified dentist rather than the tooth fairy. Wisdom teeth erupt in early adulthood, typically between the ages of 17 and 25, and often require removal.

While not everyone develops wisdom teeth and not everyone who has these additional molars needs them removed, failure to remove problem wisdom teeth can have serious consequences. In this blog, we explain how dentists determine if and when patients need wisdom teeth removal.

Current Symptoms

The primary reason for wisdom teeth extraction is the high likelihood of secondary issues that could develop if the teeth are allowed to erupt. Your dentist uses the symptoms you report during an appointment and his or her own observations to determine if you show the signs that these issues could arise in the future.

If you are experiencing headaches, jaw mobility changes, nerve pain, or extensive gum inflammation, extraction may be more pressing. Additionally, your dentist is more likely to recommend removal if he or she notices cavities in the emerging teeth, gum tissue pockets, cysts, or signs of infection such as fever.

Impact on Quality of Life

While your dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth before they begin to cause you pain, constant discomfort or any period of intense pain is a major red flag. Let your dentist know right away if you experience pain related to wisdom teeth eruption since this sensation typically points to the development of one of the other issues on this list.

Your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth extraction if the discomfort increases with chewing, brushing and flossing, or consuming hot and cold foods and beverages. The extraction is particularly urgent if your pain becomes distracting or overwhelming.

Your dentist may ask you to quantify your average and current levels of pain on a scale of 1 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being pain severe enough to cause unconsciousness or necessitate hospitalization. This information may inform the decision to remove your wisdom teeth.

Medical History

While wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure that can often be performed in general dentistry offices without even visiting a surgical center, the extraction is still an invasive procedure.

Before recommending wisdom teeth removal, your dentist will evaluate your medical history. If you have an autoimmune disorder, certain conditions like diabetes, a history of oral infections, poor oral hygiene habits, or a prescription medication that could affect anesthesia or healing, you may need to postpone the procedure.

In these situations, your dentist may suggest removing your wisdom teeth one at a time rather than in a single sitting.

Prognosis

In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, your dentist uses your long-term prognosis to determine if wisdom teeth extraction is appropriate. This assessment occurs in part because many patients do not develop negative side effects until late in the eruption process after the jaw bone has begun to harden and strengthen the teeth roots.

To determine your prognosis, your dentist will take X-ray images that show the angle of the teeth relative to your other teeth.

Keep a line of communication open with your dentist about wisdom teeth extraction. Don't hesitate to schedule an appointment if you feel that your need for a consultation has become more urgent due to a change in symptoms or life situation, such as an upcoming extended trip abroad.
  
For general dental services, including wisdom teeth extraction, come to Rabel Family Dentistry.
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