Wisdom Teeth Removal Is Important.

By the time you reach your teen years, you may think the days of losing a tooth and a new one growing in are over. After all, you’re 18, not 8. Wisdom teeth, however, can push through in early adulthood. And while sometimes it’s no issue at all, many times a new set of wisdom teeth comes with a host of problems.

Wisdom Teeth 101

Wisdom teeth are the third, final set of molars, located in the most posterior position in the mouth. When properly aligned, their presence is unnoticeable. However, when they are misaligned or begin pushing other teeth out of their proper place, those newly developed wisdom teeth become problematic and require extraction. Difficulties also arise when wisdom teeth become impacted, meaning that they do not erupt at all into the mouth as teeth normally do.

Signs Extraction Is Needed

When there are impacted wisdom teeth, not enough room in the mouth or a lack of proper alignment, a variety of ailments can occur. The crowded mouth space can lead to pain and bite problems and damage nearby teeth. Additionally, the jaw can be affected; in fact, pain in the upper or lower jaw may be one of the first signs that wisdom teeth need to be removed. Inflamed gums and cavities may also result along with visual alignment issues. Finally, sinus discomfort, pressure and congestion can be a resulting problem.

Necessary Steps to Take

If you’re concerned that you or someone in your family may be dealing with impacted wisdom teeth, take the first step by contacting a board-certified, oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in wisdom teeth extraction. Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery has six locations in the Lowcountry area — Charleston, N. Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, Bluffton and Knightsville — and a highly trained team of surgeons.

What to Expect

After having an initial consultation where you can set up the procedure, the removal process itself is typically quite short — taking even as little as 45 minutes. Minor pain and swelling may last up to three days and it likely will be one to two weeks before complete recovery occurs. COAFS will provide you with a list of how to care for yourself in the days following your extraction, and will be with you every step of the way during your wisdom teeth removal recovery. Schedule a consultation today to see if wisdom teeth removal is right for you.