THE SMARTEST OF TEETH

Most people who visit the dentist hope they leave the dental office hearing the final salutation from the dentist, “Everything looks great!” Teenagers who have made it without any cavities get used to hearing this…..until the wisdom teeth come into play.

Mother Nature is generous when it comes to our teeth. First, we get 20 baby teeth; next we grow 28 permanent teeth; and finally around age 16-18, we start getting our 4 wisdom teeth (unless of course teeth are congenitally missing).

There are usually 4 wisdom teeth, although some may have as few as none. The removal of wisdom teeth is usually recommended for one of the following reasons:

• When the jaw is not large enough to accommodate the wisdom teeth, causing the teeth to become impacted (unable to grow in) or misaligned.
• When wisdom teeth only partially erupt, leaving an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause infection.
• When there is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth.
• When the wisdom teeth, because they are difficult to clean, cause periodontal (gum) problems with adjacent teeth.
• When a cyst (fluid-filled sac) forms and destroys surrounding structures, such as bone or tooth roots.

As soon as it is determined that the wisdom teeth are, or will become partially or fully impacted, they should be removed. This usually occurs between ages 16 to 18, as soon as the jaw has attained the majority of its adult size. Although it is less common, there are times when wisdom teeth will fit and do not need to be removed. You need either a large mouth or small teeth for this to occur.

Removing impacted wisdom teeth at this time has several advantages. First, at this age, the roots are seldom fully formed, even though the tooth has become impacted. If left in place, the tooth will not erupt any further into the mouth but the roots will continue to grow.

Removing an impacted wisdom tooth before the roots are fully formed is easier and less traumatic for the patient. Also, at this stage in the patient’s development, the bone surrounding the impacted tooth is more pliable. Typically, patients having wisdom teeth removed in their mid-teens heal more rapidly and have a shorter and less complicated postoperative recovery.

There are many adults who still have their wisdom teeth. In my experience, I have seen very few adults who are able to keep their wisdom teeth for their lifetime. They usually cause some kind of problem, which often times does not hurt, as the problem develops. For example, my father-in-law recently needed a partially impacted wisdom tooth removed (which should have been removed about 50 years ago) and lost the molar in front of it because of the damage it had caused.

Today, the vast majority of patients have their wisdom teeth removed in an oral surgeon’s office. It’s not something anyone really wants to do, but the result in most cases is a lifetime of less potential issues.   If you still have your wisdom teeth, ask your dentist about their status.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.