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A wisdom tooth, or third molar, is an extra tooth that erupts in adulthood, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth are often misaligned and require extraction if they’re causing problems for other teeth in the mouth. In some cases, wisdom teeth don’t erupt at all and are impacted in the gums. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and damage to adjacent molars. Some people don’t have room for their wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become “impacted.” These molars become trapped below the gum line, which can cause pain, swelling, and even infection. People who experience these symptoms with their wisdom teeth are usually recommended to have the teeth removed.

When wisdom teeth aren’t aligned properly and don’t come in straight, they can crowd or damage the other healthy teeth in your mouth. This crowding can cause damage to the roots of your other teeth and cause them to loosen over time. If left untreated, this damage can lead to tooth loss and the need for dentures to replace the missing teeth. In order to avoid these issues, it’s important to remove wisdom teeth before they cause problems.

When Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Many patients decide to have their wisdom teeth extracted during their late teen years or early twenties. At this point, the bone surrounding the tooth has usually developed enough to provide adequate support during healing. Your dentist will be able to determine the best age for extraction based on the condition of your surrounding bone and gums. If the teeth have not erupted through the gums by age 25, your dentist may recommend removing them to prevent complications such as crowding or misalignment of the surrounding teeth. In some cases, the impacted molars can cause damage to the roots or nerves of other teeth as well. By extracting these problematic teeth early, you can prevent these problems from developing in the future.

Impacted wisdom teeth have also been associated with a number of oral health concerns, including an increased risk of gum disease, decay, and infection. 

Advantages of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Removing your wisdom teeth can prevent infections, overcrowding, and misalignment of the teeth. In some cases, patients develop cysts in their jawbones as a result of their wisdom teeth pushing on the jaw. A wisdom tooth extraction procedure can reduce that risk by removing the impacted tooth or teeth before the condition gets worse.

If your wisdom teeth grow in at an angle, they can press against nearby molars and cause crowding. This can lead to periodontal disease, bone loss, and other dental issues. You can prevent this by getting a wisdom tooth extraction before your teeth begin to crowd each other.

If you wait to have your wisdom teeth removed, you increase your risk of complications from the procedure. Your recovery time will likely be longer because you will be dealing with an infected area in your mouth. 

To learn more about the wisdom teeth extraction offered by Osuna Dental Care, call us at (505) 884-1989 or visit our dental office located at 5900 Cubero Dr NE suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87109. We look forward to serving you soon.