If you have wisdom teeth (not everyone gets them) and they are healthy, you probably don’t need to have them removed. Healthy means that they have completely erupted, are not out of proper position or alignment, and they can be easily cleaned as part of your regular oral hygiene.
Wisdom teeth are also referred to as third molars and are located in the very back of your mouth. In many cases, this doesn’t allow them to grow properly, which is when they become a problem. Because of the restricted space, the teeth can come in at odd angles – sometimes even sideways.
Another problem we see is that the wisdom teeth have not erupted completely through the gum or, alternately, haven’t erupted at all. This is what’s referred to as an impacted wisdom tooth.
To Remove or Not to Remove?
The decision whether or not to remove a wisdom tooth can only be made by your dentist. It is almost always necessary to remove partially erupted or impacted wisdom teeth to prevent overcrowding and infection and protect surrounding teeth. It may be better to remove wisdom teeth before they cause problems, but that needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Do you have wisdom teeth and wonder if you need to have them removed? Please contact our Bonita Springs dental office, and will be happy to consult with you to decide the best course of action in your particular case.