Why proactive treatment of wisdom teeth is a wise choice for your smile and health
Most of the time, Desert Ridge Periodontics & Implant Dentistry makes every effort to save a damaged tooth. Root canal therapy and other methods to preserve teeth at our office in Scottsdale, Arizona, are generally preferred over the extraction or removal of badly decayed or broken teeth. However, there is an exception to this “rule” – and that exception is wisdom teeth.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop in the backmost part of the mouth. These third molars are often called “wisdom teeth,” because they develop during a time of life when teens are maturing into young adults.
Why do you not preserve wisdom teeth like other teeth?
Wisdom teeth are vestigial structures. Like the tailbone and appendix, they are an evolutionary “relic.” Modern humans no longer need these backmost teeth to grind down sinewy, chewy, and hard foods. As our diets have evolved, wisdom teeth are no longer considered to be “essential teeth,” but they continue to develop in our mouths, where they tend to cause problems anyway.
What are the problems associated with wisdom teeth?
Third molars can be problematic because they often erupt or break through the gums at a late stage. All of the other teeth are already present in the mouth, which leaves very little room for these “late arrivals.” So, when they do come in, wisdom teeth may grow at angles. They may push up against other teeth and fail to break through the gums. When the teeth become partially or fully “stuck” in the jawbone, this process is known as “impaction.” It is a painful and potentially serious complication that must be addressed promptly with our advanced expertise in dental extractions.
How do you remove wisdom teeth?
We use special techniques and instruments to access the tooth and lift it from its socket carefully. By caring for wisdom teeth proactively, before they cause pain and other problems, you can avoid more intensive procedures and techniques. In fact, we can even perform extractions under local anesthesia. Depending on your needs and the extent of damage or complications, we may complete treatment with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, too.
What is “proactive care” for wisdom teeth?
Proactive care typically involves monitoring the development of these teeth during regular checkups. Studies strongly suggest that wisdom teeth should be removed by the time of young adulthood – and even when they are not causing noticeable problems. Why is this? Third molars can be challenging to remove, are more often associated with complications, and tend to require a more involved and complex healing process as patients age and the roots of these teeth grow longer.
What is the healing process like?
For many patients who take a proactive approach to caring for these growing teeth, healing is not dissimilar from what might be experienced following other extractions or oral surgical procedures. The biggest threat after surgery is a condition called “dry socket,” which can be avoided by following our instructions for aftercare. Dry socket happens when the clot that forms at the extraction site becomes dislodged during the healing period. By refraining from behaviors like using straws or rigorous rinsing, you support healthy and rapid healing.
Early evaluation and treatment of wisdom teeth is a wise health choice! To find out more, contact Desert Ridge Periodontics & Implant Dentistry today. Call (602) 932-6297 to schedule an appointment at our office in Scottsdale, which proudly serves our neighbors from across the greater Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Peoria, and Mesa, AZ areas.
At Desert Ridge Periodontics, patients benefit from the expertise of Dr. Dan Indech, DDS, a board-certified periodontist with more than 30 years of experience in periodontal care, dental implants, and laser surgery. Trained at leading institutions in Canada, the U.S., and Sweden, he has placed over 10,000 implants and is nationally recognized for his work in Implantology and LANAP® laser periodontal therapy.
Dr. Indech and the team deliver compassionate, evidence-based periodontal and implant care focused on long-term oral health and personalized treatment.
