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What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Provided by Colgate
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars on each side of the jaws. They are also
the last teeth to emerge, or erupt, usually when a person is between 16 and
20.
Since wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to come in, or erupt, there
is often not enough room left in your mouth to accommodate them. This can lead
to wisdom teeth that are impacted -- teeth that are trapped beneath the gum
tissue by other teeth or bone. If teeth are impacted, swelling and tenderness
may occur.
Wisdom teeth that only partially emerge or come in crooked can also lead to
painful crowding and disease. Since teeth removed before age 20 have less developed
roots and fewer complications, the American Dental Association recommends that
people between 16 and 19 have their wisdom teeth evaluated to see if they need
to be removed.
How are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
A tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure. An oral surgeon,
will recommend either "going to
sleep" using general anesthesia, or numbing this area in your mouth
with a local anesthesia such as Novocain.
After the tooth (or teeth) is removed, you may be asked to bite down softly
on a piece of gauze for 30 to 45 minutes after you leave the office, to limit
any bleeding that may occur. Some pain and swelling may occur but it will normally
go away after a few days; however, you should call us if you have
prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever.
Removal of wisdom teeth due to crowding or impaction should not affect your
bite or oral health in the future.
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| Horizontal Impaction |
Angular Impaction |
Vertical Impaction |
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