Implants and Oral Surgery

Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to erupt (emerge) usually when people reach their teens or twenties. Also, they are the last teeth in the mouth, on the top and bottom. The name "wisdom teeth" originates from the fact that these molars erupt at age typically associated with greater maturity or wisdom.

Reasons to remove wisdom teeth

When the wisdom teeth are aligned properly and the gum tissue is healthy, they do not need to be removed. In most cases, the path of eruption of wisdom teeth through the gum is impeded due to inadequate spacing. When this happens, they cannot come out correctly and are not functional, being shocked (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position.

Wisdom teeth can grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped under the gum and bone. These improperly placed impacted teeth can cause a lot of problems, so extraction is recommended.

Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

Yes OK it is not necessary to remove all wisdom teeth, extractions of these are done more frequently because of an active problem, such as pain, swelling, cavities or infection, or as preventive measure to avoid serious problems in the future. If one or more teeth are impacted and they are not treated, a number of potentially harmful outcomes can occur, including:

• Infection- Bacteria and food can get trapped under the gum, resulting in infection, causing swelling, pain, stiffness, and disease.
• Damage to adjacent teeth- Adjacent teeth (second molars) can be adversely affected by impacted wisdom teeth, causing tooth decay and gum disease.
• Crowding of teethPressure from erupting wisdom teeth can move other teeth and disrupt the natural or orthodontic alignment of the teeth.
• Cysts or tumorsThe most serious problem occurs when cysts or tumors form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in permanent damage to the jaw.
• Removal of impacted wisdom teeth generally solves these problems. Early removal of altered wisdom teeth is recommended to avoid future problems and decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Wisdom teeth extraction it is a common procedure, usually performed under local anesthesia, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia in a surgery room in the office. Dr. Badí Haddú will discuss these options with you.

The removal before complications develop it is key to reducing recovery and healing time and minimizing discomfort after surgery.

Generally, after surgery, patients experience some swelling and discomfort. You will be discharged with postoperative instructions, prescriptions for pain relievers and antibiotics (if necessary), and with a postoperative appointment.