What are Wisdom Teeth For?

As you begin to enter adulthood, your wisdom teeth make their presence known in the far reaches of your mouth. Wisdom teeth – officially the third molars – are the last set of teeth to come in, usually between 17 and 25 years of age. The reason we have them lies in the mouths of our ancestors because early humans needed an extra row of teeth to chew their food: a diet of uncooked, hard items. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and will need to be removed by one of our dentists at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center.

When wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars, or be angled inward or outward. When these teeth are poorly aligned, they can crowd or damage adjacent (healthy) teeth, the jawbone, or nerves. It’s important to know that just because your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you pain doesn’t mean there isn’t anything wrong. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, your dentist will look at the shape of your mouth and the position of your teeth to make a decision on whether or not they need to be extracted.

If you wish to inquire about wisdom tooth extractions, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

When it comes to tooth extractions, wisdom teeth are very commonly extracted. While some wisdom teeth grow in okay, even those can be recommended for removal. The doctors of Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center perform wisdom teeth extractions for many of their patients in the Philadelphia, PA area.

Wisdom teeth often come with complications. Many people do not have enough room in their mouth to grow wisdom teeth in correctly. When a wisdom tooth grows in at the wrong angle, it can damage other teeth, causing pain and irritation. This bad angle also creates hard-to-reach spaces in the mouth where bacteria can collect. In the event that the tooth becomes stuck in the jawbone, impacted, the tooth will only emerge partially. When the tooth only partially emerges, it can leave a flap of gum tissue over the tooth, which is a great spot for bacteria to become trapped. This can cause gum disease and decay the tooth.

Even when wisdom teeth grow in correctly and with enough room, they are still sometimes recommended to be removed. Since they are so far back in the mouth, they are hard to reach for brushing and flossing. This is especially recommended for those with a weakened immune system.

Wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure and you are under great care by the skilled doctors of Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA. To schedule an appointment, call us at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.