WISDOM TEETH
Third molars or Wisdom teeth as they are more commonly called are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. They normally erupt between 17 and 25 years of age.While the eruption of the other permanent teeth do not usually cause any problems,eruption of the wisdom teeth is usually accompanied by pain and swelling in the gums.In many cases the tooth erupts without further ado;when the pain and swelling becomes a recurrent problem treatment is warranted.
These problems are more often seen in relation to erupting lower wisdom teeth.In such cases an x-ray is taken of the offending tooth. If the tooth is in the normal position in the jaw(upright) with sufficient space for it to erupt just an excision of the overlying gum should be adequate.If on the other hand,the tooth is abnormally positioned or there is insufficient space in the jaw to accommodate it,an extraction is indicated.Such teeth are said to be “impacted”, and their removal requires a minor surgical procedure, i.e. incision of the overlying gum,removal of the surrounding bone and extraction of the tooth.The incision is usually closed with two or more sutures.
While most cases of impacted wisdom teeth can be removed under local anesthesia in the Dentel clinic,teeth that are deeply placed in the jaw bone may require the same surgical procedure under general anesthesia. General anesthesia is also indicated when one or more wisdom teeth are impacted and require removal.This does away with repeat procedures with the attendant inconvenience.The common problem seen with the upper third molars is ‘cheek bite’.Erupted but malposed upper wisdom teeth can irritate and excoriate the cheek mucosa in the adjacent region.Grinding the offending tooth can temporarily correct this,but the problem is likey to recur and chronic cheek bite can predispose to cancer.Therefore the best course of action is extraction of the offending tooth.A small percentage of the upper wisdom tooth can be impacted with in the bone and may require surgical removal.
It is better to remove the upper wisdom tooth also if the lower wisdom tooth on the same side has been removed or vice versa.Wisdom teeth are usually not functional and their removal does not detract from the normal masticatory function.Infact one may truly said to be wiser without the wisdom teeth!