Wisdom teeth occupy awkward positions, making cleaning and treatment challenging. Located at the back of the mouth, they are often missed during daily brushing, leading to cavities. Additionally, insufficient space for growth frequently causes gum swelling, pain, and inflammation. Many individuals seek extraction due to unbearable discomfort. Below are characteristics indicating when extraction may be advisable.
1. Cavities: If a wisdom tooth develops cavities, we generally recommend extraction to prevent future complications. This applies to cavities on the occlusal surface that can be easily filled, as well as those on the adjacent surfaces that require advanced techniques. Cavities that are deep or require root canal treatment should always be extracted.
2. Causing Adjacent Tooth Problems: Often undetected by patients but identified by dentists via X-rays. Insufficient space for wisdom tooth eruption can cause it to tilt against the second molar, making cleaning difficult and potentially leading to partial resorption of the second molar. This causes discomfort or toothache.
3. Insufficient space causing pericoronitis: Wisdom teeth are in a state of evolutionary decline in humans. Consequently, the dental arch is progressively smaller, making insufficient space common. During eruption, patients may experience swelling and pain. To prevent recurrence, extraction is recommended promptly after inflammation subsides.Difficulty in Local Cleaning: Due to insufficient space, wisdom teeth often erupt in improper positions, making thorough cleaning challenging and increasing the risk of cavities.
5. Absence of Opposing Tooth: Not everyone develops all four wisdom teeth. If there is no opposing wisdom tooth to counterbalance it, the erupting tooth may grow excessively long, affecting the bite. In such cases, extraction is recommended.
6. Impacted wisdom teeth: This is often the most problematic type. Such teeth are typically buried within the alveolar bone. If they frequently cause inflammation or are diagnosed as potential sources of infection, extraction is necessary.
8. Orthodontic Requirements: To ensure the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment, wisdom teeth are often extracted.
9. When impacted wisdom teeth are suspected to be the cause of unexplained neuralgia or are suspected to be a focus of infection, extraction is also recommended.
Friendly Reminder: Tooth extraction may affect nerves and memory. If you suddenly notice a wisdom tooth emerging, avoid rushing to a dentist for removal. First observe whether it impacts your daily life, then consult a hospital. Decide on extraction based on your doctor's advice.