What are wisdom teeth?
The wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in your smile. You have four wisdom teeth – two in the upper arch and two in the lower. In most cases, they come in during the late teens or early 20s. Because they are the final teeth to come in, there is often not enough room for the wisdom teeth to grow in normally. They may grow in sideways or at an angle, and they may not be able to fully erupt. When this happens, several serious consequences may occur, including:
- Impacted wisdom teeth (the teeth are unable to break through the bone and gum tissues)
- Infection and swelling in the gums
- Damage to the neighboring teeth
- Nerve damage
- Cyst formation
- Extensive tooth decay (because you are unable to properly clean the teeth)
- Tumors
In order to prevent these problems, our dentist may recommend removing the wisdom teeth in Stafford, Virginia.
Do I need wisdom teeth removal?
Dr. Shivaprasanna Rai will carefully examine your smile to determine whether your third molars should be removed. We often use X-rays to get a more in-depth look at your teeth and the positioning of the third molars. If your wisdom teeth will not be able to fully and properly erupt, we may recommend removing them. To learn more, we invite you contact our team at Rai Family Dentistry.