While not every patient will need to have their wisdom teeth removed, many will. Genetics and many other factors play a role in whether you will need to have your wisdom teeth removed. The only way to really know whether extraction is necessary is to contact your dentist.

Because you are likely to have a lot of questions about wisdom tooth extraction, SmileUp Dentistry has compiled everything you need to know.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth, sometimes called third molars, are the final teeth to emerge. The term “wisdom teeth” was coined because they emerge later in life, in the late teens or early 20s, or the age of “wisdom.” Our ancestors, of course, had insufficient dental care, and often by the time wisdom teeth erupted, many of their remaining teeth were heavily damaged.

Today, of course, that is not the case, which means these erupting teeth often meet a jaw which is overcrowded.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

It isn’t necessary to remove wisdom teeth unless they threaten your oral health. There are three primary reasons to remove wisdom teeth:

• Impaction: wisdom teeth are not able to emerge, or do so in a way that interferes with surrounding tooth growth
• Dental shifting: the erupting wisdom teeth shove other teeth into misalignment
• Crowding: there is insufficient space to support wisdom teeth, causing disruption of proper bite

How Are Teeth Extracted?

Surgical removal or pulling may be necessary. Pulling is preferred when the tooth is entirely erupted but not yet implanted into the jawbone. Surgery removes the tooth via incisions in the gum tissue, cutting away bits of the alveolar or jawbone, to remove your wisdom tooth. In these cases, the tooth must be broken into parts first.

Meet the Dentists of Newtown Team

The decision to remove wisdom teeth is a serious one, and we understand you are likely to have many questions. That’s why SmileUp Dentistry is equipped with knowledge and experience to assist you in understanding this procedure and diagnosing whether it’s right for you.

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Dr. Sonya Reddy received her education at the prestigious NYU College Of Dentistry, where she also received special training in Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Reddy is a member of the American Cosmetic Dentists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and a SMART certified and accredited member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology.