Wisdom teeth are nothing new - they have been around for years, or you could say, they have stayed around for years.
A common theory suggests that our wisdom teeth are a left over genetic trait from our human evolution. They served as a functional purpose back in the early days of human development but as we have evolved, so has our skeletal frame. It is thought that the 3rd set of molar teeth is no longer able to be accomodated with our small jaw size.
Wisdom teeth are not as straight forward as you may think; they can come in all shapes and sizes, growing in different directions. Some people can have none, one, four or more.
Some of the most common indications for having wisdom teeth removed include:
· Mal formed/non-functioning teeth – these teeth can become a hindrance as they show no functional purpose (chewing or aesthetic) other than to trap and accumulate plaque and bacteria that can lead to decay and/or periodontal disease.
· Inadequate space – When there is a lack of space in the jaw to accomodate these teeth, crowding, impaction or partial eruption may occur. This, in turn, can lead to decay and food traps. They may also grow in the wrong direction. On these occasions, these teeth can grow towards the cheek causing discomfort for the patient on chewing and talking.
· Decay - Due to its location in the mouth, it can be extremely difficult to clean these teeth. Over time if these teeth are not maintained through strict at-home hygiene routines and regular dental check ups, they can develop decay. Decay can further progress to cause infection, abscess, swellings and severe pain.
· Periodontal disease – Similar to the progression of decay due to plaque build up, your wisdom teeth can also develop periodontal disease if not maintained through strict oral hygiene measures. We know that once the gum "pockets" (the space between the gum and the bone) reach beyond 3mm, the bristles on our toothbrush are unable to reach and clean these deeper areas. Wisdom teeth can also cause adjacent teeth to suffer periodontal disease.
· Pericoronitis - In some cases, when the tooth is unable to fully erupt due to lack of space, the gums may partially cover the tooth. This can cause both inflammation and pain from the physical trauma of biting on the gum tissue, and also from an increased risk of bacterial infection and food trapping. This can lead to discomfort with some patients unable to eat or talk without experiencing pain.
· Damage to the adjacent tooth – When the wisdom tooth starts to push against the tooth next door, this places increased risk on that tooth for disease. The adjacent tooth is more likely to experience decay and periodontal disease. Therefore, it is imperative to act before you end up with a problem for two teeth instead of just one.
It is important to remember that every wisdom tooth case is different and not all of the above conditions are applicable to everyone.
Wisdom teeth and their treatment options shouldn’t be a mystery! If you are interested in finding out what is the best option for your situation, give us a call on (02) 9743 4001 to book an appointment to see one of our dentists at Concord Dental Practice.
Dr. Jonathan Tsun has a special interest in oral surgery, and performs complicated and difficult extractions routinely. We can organise wisdom teeth extractions for patients who would like nitrous oxide sedation or IV sedation - just speak to your dentist to find out more.