Wisdom Teeth Extraction and Management

Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to enter the mouth, erupting between the ages of 17 to 25. Sometimes wisdom teeth are impacted, having difficulty erupting into the oral cavity by being blocked or not erupting upright.  

All wisdom teeth do not to need to be extracted. Wisdom teeth that do come into the mouth in a proper position and are maintained with good hygiene can be kept if they fulfill following conditions:

1. Painless
2. No CavitiesDisease Free
3. Healthy Gums

However, research has shown 90% of individuals will have one wisdom tooth that is impacted. These teeth can incite future problems i.e. infection, gum disease, insult to neighboring teeth, cyst and tumor formation.

If surgery is to be performed, it is always best to be done at 15-25 years of age. At a younger age the bone is less dense, roots are less formed and are not as adjacent to nearby structures as the nerve and maxillary sinus. Generally, it is known that at some point in a patient’s life wisdom will cause a problem, thus prophylactic removal is recommended.

Wisdom teeth extractions are performed in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon’s office. Three different options are available on how a patient would like to have their wisdom teeth removed:

1. Local Anesthesia
2. Nitrous Oxide
3. Intravenous Sedation

Have your patients make an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Yagoubian at Torrance Oral Surgery Center for a consultation to discuss the best treatment options.