Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Oral Examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Letelier can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid- teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Letelier has the training, license and experience to provide various types of anesthesia for patients to select the best alternative. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety which utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff that are experienced in anesthesia techniques.

Ridge preservation

Is the process of maintaining and restoring the natural height of your oral bone called the alveolar ridge. This is the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. When a defect in the bone is created by a tooth extraction or periodontal disease, it is important to replace that lost bone with a material that will become bone again. Healthy bone is necessary for healthy teeth. If this bone is not preserved your teeth may shift, the bone may resorb and you may need a second procedure to replace the lost bone. If an implant is being planned to replace the extracted tooth it is important to preserve the bone in the site or reconstruct it if bone is missing