Wisdom Teeth

By the age of eighteen, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth or molar teeth are used to grind food into a consistency suitable for swallowing.

The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as "wisdom teeth."

why should i remove my wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt into 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 is swelling, stiffness, pain and disease. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the alignment of teeth; this is especially problematic if it is allowed to occur after the patient has had orthodontic treatment to straighten the teeth. The most serious problems occur when tumors or severe infections occur. Tumors or cysts can form around the impacted wisdom tooth without the patient ever knowing, resulting in the destruction of large areas of the jawbone and damage to healthy teeth and tissue. In some individuals, serious life threatening infections can occur suddenly and spread quickly. If these kinds of problems have gone on for a long time, removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth in most cases can prevent the problem from progressing, but, corrective procedures may also be required. This is why preventative treatment removal before these things happen is usually recommended. Not only can timely removal help to avoid such future problems, it can also help to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

oral examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Minkin 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. Minkin has the training, license and experience to provide the best type of anesthesia for the particular patient and the specific surgery planned.

removal

In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under general anesthesia, although in some cases local anesthesia alone or used in combination with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can be appropriate. These options as well as the surgical risks (i.e. sensory nerve damage, sinus complications, etc.) will be discussed with the patient or legal guardian before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured depending on conditions at time of surgery. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your post-operative care kit will include postoperative instructions and any necessary prescriptions if not previously written. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at (510) 797-9100.

Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff that are experienced in anesthesia techniques.