Your “adult” teeth most likely began pushing through when you turned six or seven. In providing quality dental work for Calgary and area residents, Dr. Blunston has witnessed all stages of the “tooth eruption” process, including the grand finale. This is when the red carpet should be rolled out to welcome the fashionably late “wisdom” teeth…but instead the celebration grinds to a painful halt.
“Third molars” or “wisdom teeth” appear generally between the ages of 17 and 21. They provide you with additional valuable chewing surfaces, but only when they arrive healthy and properly positioned. Hence, we broach the subject of removal.
It may be that a person’s jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate this incoming addition; therefore, the tooth becomes impacted. A tooth growing sideways, emerging only part way through the gum or remaining trapped beneath the gum or bone all lead to a feeling of uneasy pressure or pain. Prolonged pain is not a sign of a healthy wisdom tooth.
When is an extraction recommended? If a wisdom tooth only partially erupts, it leaves an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause infections. If the tooth is poorly aligned, there is a chance it will damage adjacent teeth. If a cyst forms, it’ll destroy surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots. These are all situations in which an extraction may be the best option.
A professional consult will help clear up any questions you may have about the health of your wisdom teeth. For all your dental work, Calgary area dentist Dr. Blunston is here for you!
