Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?

For such tiny structures, wisdom teeth evoke considerable debate among the public. While the name “wisdom teeth” prompts ideas of intelligence and prudence, people with impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth know how disagreeable the condition can be. From causing pain and swelling to an increased risk of cavities, wisdom teeth can be anything but pleasant. If you think you may be suffering from problems related to the presence of wisdom teeth, don’t hesitate to contact West LA periodontists Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky for a consultation.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

A third set of molars located at the very back of the mouth, wisdom teeth often emerge between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five. These teeth owe their name to the age at which they present: a time when people might be pursuing “wisdom” or higher education. When wisdom teeth don’t have proper space to grow, they can cause problems for the other teeth. Erupting wisdom teeth can grow at a variety of angles, at times even completely horizontally. Other wisdom teeth will only partially erupt through the gums. And yet others can remain completely hidden. In some cases, wisdom teeth can become impacted, or entirely trapped within your jaw, a condition causing pain and swelling. To ensure proper oral health and avoid damage to surrounding teeth, wisdom tooth removal is often recommended.

Who Needs Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Patients with fully erupted wisdom teeth that are perfectly positioned with opposing teeth may NOT need removal. A healthy mouth includes proper alignment of teeth. Teeth that are properly aligned allow for good hygiene and care and may reduce your risk of suffering gum disease later in life.

Unfortunately, for many patients, wisdom teeth are not properly aligned with the other teeth in the mouth. Wisdom teeth removal should be strongly considered if other teeth are impacted by eruption. Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky typically recommend wisdom teeth removal for patients experiencing one or more of the following:

• TOOTH PAIN
• INFECTION
• CROWDING OR DAMAGE OF NEARBY TEETH
• SIGNS OF GUM DISEASE OR TOOTH DECAY
• TROUBLE CLEANING DUE TO LOCATION OF WISDOM TEETH

If you have any of these problems, it’s imperative that you visit an experienced periodontist and oral surgeon like Dr. Aalam or Dr. Krivitsky to discuss options and solutions.

What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Depending on whether your wisdom teeth are partially erupted, unerupted or impacted, your periodontist will perform either a simple or surgical extraction. Dr. Aalam or Dr. Krivitsky will remove the entire tooth in one piece during a simple extraction. For more complex surgical extractions, an incision along the gum is created. Once the nearby tissue is pushed back, the tooth will be separated into several pieces for easy removal.

While wisdom teeth removal is generally regarded as a completely safe procedure, the success of your surgery depends in large part on the skills and qualifications of your periodontist or oral surgeon. Proper training and surgical techniques can affect the outcome of surgery. It is also crucial to find an oral surgeon that is skilled in IV sedation.

Contact Our Experts

Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky are the only two board-certified periodontists in the Brentwood part of Los Angeles who specialize in wisdom teeth removal and other oral surgery procedures including implant placement, bone grafting and aesthetic crown lengthening.

Choosing an expert periodontist is essential to ensuring the success of your wisdom teeth removal procedure. If you are in need of bone grafting in Brentwood or wisdom teeth removal, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Aalam or Dr. Krivitsky for a consultation by calling (310) 826-8242 today.

You May Also Like...