Grove's Blog

Grove's Blog

Posts for tag: Extraction

March 11, 2011
Category: Oral Health

The wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are usually the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. This usually occurs between the ages of 17 and 25 -- the "age of wisdom." Some will never develop wisdom teeth, while others may develop up to four, one at each end of the upper and lower gums.

Because most mouths are too small to accommodate four additional molars, wisdom teeth removal is often necessary to prevent other dental problems, such as impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth, those that are prevented from erupting, can cause infection, gum disease and formation of a cyst. Partially or fully erupted wisdom teeth may also need removed as they are often nonfunctional, susceptible to tooth decay and interfere with the alignment of adjacent, healthy teeth.

Prime time for wisdom teeth removal is during the summer when high school and college kids are home from school and their schedules are lighter. For young adults, removal of the wisdom teeth is typically easier because the tooth roots are not fully developed and the bone is less dense. This also allows for shorter recovery time.

Common symptoms of emerging wisdom teeth include pain or swelling, but in some cases, symptoms may not be present at all. For this reason, an adolescent's wisdom teeth need to be examined by a trained oral surgeon. Regular dental visits are an important part of monitoring the development of the third molars and helping dentists make an appropriately timed recommendation for their removal, should it be necessary.

At Grove Dental, we perform many extractions during the school breaks, and are accepting appointments for the summer time now. We have Board Certified Oral Surgeons on-staff specially trained to take care of wisdom teeth and all oral surgery needs for patients of any age. Allow Grove to guide you on the best treatment options and if necessary, schedule your teen's wisdom teeth removal for the summer.

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