The wisdom teeth are your third molars that erupt either in late adolescence or early adulthood. In certain cases there is either not enough space for them to erupt or they erupt irregularly. In order to prevent infections or periodontal issues, it is recommended that you remove your wisdom teeth. However, your dentist will first evaluate your wisdom teeth before making the decision to remove them.
Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
The wisdom teeth appear in the oral cavity when there is supposed to be enough space for them, which typically occurs between the ages of 17 to 25. However, the space available is not always optimal, which often means that they grow at the wrong angle, or they remain impacted or semi-impacted (their eruption hasn't happened, or only half done). This is why it is recommended to extract wisdom teeth at the end of adolescence in problematic cases in order to prevent problems from developing. Also, the roots are not yet fully developed at this age, making extraction easier.
Although it is routine procedure, this can cause some adolescents and/or adults to be nervous. If this is the case, it is important to let the team at Centre Dentaire NP know so that we can make you as comfortable as possible.
If the wisdom teeth have not yet erupted or been extracted, several problems can develop:
> Dental cavities: as these teeth are found towards the back of our oral cavity, it becomes very difficult to clean them well. The risk of cavities increases more-so when they are semi-erupted. This is because the bacteria can easily enter and stay underneath the gum and attack the root or its neighboring tooth.
> Infections and abscesses: bacteria can attack the gums and tissues surrounding the tooth causing infection or even an abscess. This bacteria can spread to tissues, bone, and other periodontal components.
> Cysts and tumors: an increased exposure to bacteria and recurrent infections can facilitate the development of a cyst or tumor, which are sometimes cancerous.
It is preferable to extract wisdom teeth before any issues occur in order to reduce the risk of infection.
An extraction around the age of 17 or 18 avoids problems related to their eruption. Since the wisdom teeth are not fully formed, they are easier to remove.
As many individuals feel nervous when undertaking wisdom tooth extraction, it is important to communicate to your dental professionals about your sentiments. We are here to help make you as comfortable as possible!
To ensure proper healing and to avoid complications, it is important to slow down your activities after such a procedure and to follow the dentist’s advice. Also, upon following the guidelines and instructions given to you by your dentist, the healing process will occur in a smooth manner and potential complications will be reduced.