Problems with wisdom teeth avoidable
Variables in third molar surgery vary from patient to patient, need to be discussed with dentist
Ashley Hofer
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Currents
If the wisdom teeth are allowed to erupt, many complications can occur, Tarpenning said.
"They can cause a number of different issues," he said. "If they come in all the way, they can push on other teeth."
Depending on the angle of the eruption, the wisdom teeth can come in sideways or backwards, possibly pressing on the other teeth and causing shifts, Tarpenning said.
Another problem could come from the eruption of the wisdom teeth, Shook said. Because there may not be enough room for the extra teeth, the wisdom teeth may be able to only partially erupt, thus keeping them clean through brushing very difficult, he said.
The partial eruption is also difficult on the gums, Tarpenning said. A partially exposed tooth can cause pain and possibly infection, he said.
Orthodontic problems may also occur with the eruption of the wisdom teeth. Tarpenning said their eruption can crowd the other teeth as well as shift bites, making wisdom teeth "absolutely" a factor when creating orthodontic plans for patients, Tarpenning said.
"You may finish and do a nice job, but if you don't pay attention, (the wisdom teeth) may mess everything up," he said.
If the decision to extract the wisdom teeth is made, a general dentist may perform the extraction or the patient may be referred to a specialist, Shook said. An oral surgeon is generally required if nerves close to the wisdom teeth may be affected by the extraction, he said.
Shook cautioned that simply because wisdom teeth don't cause problems initially, it doesn't mean the procedure shouldn't be done.
"People say 'if I don't need it, I don't want it,'" Shook said, noting he's had patients in their 40s and 50s who need their wisdom teeth removed. "(The extraction) is much more traumatic at an older age than say 17, 18 or 19."
Yet there are people who may never have problems with their third molars. Avery Crumpton, a freshman, is one of those who said she hasn't experienced any troubles with her wisdom teeth. She hasn't had them removed and has no immediate plans to change that, she said.
"If they bother me, or if it becomes an issue, then I will (remove them)," Crumpton said.
With all the variables involved in making decisions about wisdom teeth, patients and their dentists must choose the course of action. And this choice may differ with every person, Tarpenning said.
"It's case by case, honestly," Tarpenning said. "Some people can have perfectly straight teeth and the wisdom teeth can come in perfectly straight too. It really is patient by patient."
"They can cause a number of different issues," he said. "If they come in all the way, they can push on other teeth."
Depending on the angle of the eruption, the wisdom teeth can come in sideways or backwards, possibly pressing on the other teeth and causing shifts, Tarpenning said.
Another problem could come from the eruption of the wisdom teeth, Shook said. Because there may not be enough room for the extra teeth, the wisdom teeth may be able to only partially erupt, thus keeping them clean through brushing very difficult, he said.
The partial eruption is also difficult on the gums, Tarpenning said. A partially exposed tooth can cause pain and possibly infection, he said.
Orthodontic problems may also occur with the eruption of the wisdom teeth. Tarpenning said their eruption can crowd the other teeth as well as shift bites, making wisdom teeth "absolutely" a factor when creating orthodontic plans for patients, Tarpenning said.
"You may finish and do a nice job, but if you don't pay attention, (the wisdom teeth) may mess everything up," he said.
If the decision to extract the wisdom teeth is made, a general dentist may perform the extraction or the patient may be referred to a specialist, Shook said. An oral surgeon is generally required if nerves close to the wisdom teeth may be affected by the extraction, he said.
Shook cautioned that simply because wisdom teeth don't cause problems initially, it doesn't mean the procedure shouldn't be done.
"People say 'if I don't need it, I don't want it,'" Shook said, noting he's had patients in their 40s and 50s who need their wisdom teeth removed. "(The extraction) is much more traumatic at an older age than say 17, 18 or 19."
Yet there are people who may never have problems with their third molars. Avery Crumpton, a freshman, is one of those who said she hasn't experienced any troubles with her wisdom teeth. She hasn't had them removed and has no immediate plans to change that, she said.
"If they bother me, or if it becomes an issue, then I will (remove them)," Crumpton said.
With all the variables involved in making decisions about wisdom teeth, patients and their dentists must choose the course of action. And this choice may differ with every person, Tarpenning said.
"It's case by case, honestly," Tarpenning said. "Some people can have perfectly straight teeth and the wisdom teeth can come in perfectly straight too. It really is patient by patient."
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