Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Extracted?

We know that thinking about your wisdom teeth and their potential extraction likely fills you with dread. And decades ago, this would have been understandable. But there's no need to be anxious nowadays. Advanced, modern dentistry techniques have turned this once-torturous procedure into a routine, relatively simple appointment with fantastic patient outcomes. It's commonly practiced, time-tested, and something that our specialists have compassionately and carefully performed countless times.

So, there's really no reason to put off an appointment to at least discuss and examine your wisdom teeth. By being proactive, you may save yourself a lot of time, pain, inconvenience, and money later on, should a more serious problem arise. So reach out to us at LANCO Dental Care today, or come see us in Lancaster, PA.

The many risks of letting your wisdom teeth run wild

Wisdom teeth owe their name to their tardiness. Also called "third molars," they don't usually erupt or emerge from the gums until one's late teens or early 20s. And there's nothing wise about ignoring them because they can wreak havoc throughout the mouth.

For example, they may get trapped in the gums or only partially erupt. This can cause significant pain and discomfort. It also possibly creates numerous inaccessible surfaces or blocks certain areas of the gums or nearby teeth, making them impossible to clean. As bacteria accumulate, they can cause infection, inflammation, decay, and even more grave issues, like abscesses. Or the terrible periodontal disease that forces the gums to recede and eventually loosens your teeth.

Furthermore, misalignment and overcrowding are significant risks posed by wisdom teeth. Due to many people's dental shape, size, and overall architecture, there may not be any space for additional teeth to safely emerge. Therefore, they may push their neighbors out of the way, causing misalignment that could continue down the line, like a set of toppling dominos.

But our experienced team can help you avoid all these nasty consequences. So, reach out to us today at LANCO Dental Care in Lancaster, PA.

Wisdom teeth extraction isn't always necessary if they don't interfere with proper oral hygiene habits

Your wisdom teeth may not need to be removed if their anatomy and development meet certain criteria, which also depend on your overall dental health and structure. For example, if they erupt fully and in their proper positions, they could emerge safely without causing overcrowding or without knocking the adjacent teeth out of place as they shift to accommodate their "wise" new friends.

Ideally, these third molars will be spaced correctly to allow themselves, and adjacent teeth and tissues, to be thoroughly cleaned. It's also vital that their orientation doesn't interfere with a seamless bite: both for aesthetic purposes and your comfort and dental well-being.

So, as you can see, based on the previously listed conditions, wisdom teeth can potentially cause quite a few complications. That's why extraction is generally advised and typically performed between the ages of 17 and 25 when these troublesome teeth tend to pop. However, some people hit the jackpot on the dental roulette, as it were, and face no issues.

Do your future self a favor by reaching out to us to schedule an appointment!

You may be among those fortunate ones who do not require wisdom tooth extraction. But the only way to know for sure is to contact us or pay us a visit at our practice in Lancaster, PA. The sooner you do so, the brighter (and more pain-free) your dental future will be, so don't wait! Schedule a consultation at LANCO Dental Care today.