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
When it comes to wisdom teeth, freshman Morgan Kozey said she was one of the lucky ones. After being informed by her dentist a year-and-a-half ago her wisdom teeth needed to be removed, the process went smoothly, she said.
"For me, it was very easy," Kozey said, explaining the dentist who performed the removal gave her an IV for sedation. "I remember them counting down from 10, and then I woke up."
Kozey said she hadn't experienced any problems with her wisdom teeth prior to their removal, but her dentist still recommended the procedure.
"They just told me I needed to (have them removed)," she said. "If I would have let them grow in, they would've probably moved my teeth. I never let that happen."
Multiple problems can occur with the formation and eruption of wisdom teeth, but not everyone experiences these problems. Dr. Randal Shook, a dentist at Menomonie Street Dental, 1020 Menomonie St., said the situation varies from person to person. While the complications presented by wisdom teeth may vary with each person, there are ways to predict and eliminate future problems.
Shook said wisdom teeth, or third molars, generally erupt during a person's late teens and early 20s. The wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in, so there may not always be enough room for them in the mouth, Shook said.
"It depends on the size of the individual's jaw," he said.
Shook said the main ways to tell if there will be a problem is through the person's jaw size and x-rays of the teeth. Often, the x-rays will tell at what angle the wisdom teeth will come in and if they are impacted, he said. According to the American Dental Association's Web site, wisdom teeth are impacted if they are not fully emerged or aren't aligned correctly.
Dr. Sean Tarpenning, an orthodontist for Hebert Dental, 4710 Commerce Valley Rd., agreed x-rays and careful monitoring of the wisdom teeth are good means of predicting possible problems.
"The best way to analyze it is to take a panoramic x-ray to view the angulations," Tarpenning said. "Just watch them every few years as the roots grow and form."
"For me, it was very easy," Kozey said, explaining the dentist who performed the removal gave her an IV for sedation. "I remember them counting down from 10, and then I woke up."
Kozey said she hadn't experienced any problems with her wisdom teeth prior to their removal, but her dentist still recommended the procedure.
"They just told me I needed to (have them removed)," she said. "If I would have let them grow in, they would've probably moved my teeth. I never let that happen."
Multiple problems can occur with the formation and eruption of wisdom teeth, but not everyone experiences these problems. Dr. Randal Shook, a dentist at Menomonie Street Dental, 1020 Menomonie St., said the situation varies from person to person. While the complications presented by wisdom teeth may vary with each person, there are ways to predict and eliminate future problems.
Shook said wisdom teeth, or third molars, generally erupt during a person's late teens and early 20s. The wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in, so there may not always be enough room for them in the mouth, Shook said.
"It depends on the size of the individual's jaw," he said.
Shook said the main ways to tell if there will be a problem is through the person's jaw size and x-rays of the teeth. Often, the x-rays will tell at what angle the wisdom teeth will come in and if they are impacted, he said. According to the American Dental Association's Web site, wisdom teeth are impacted if they are not fully emerged or aren't aligned correctly.
Dr. Sean Tarpenning, an orthodontist for Hebert Dental, 4710 Commerce Valley Rd., agreed x-rays and careful monitoring of the wisdom teeth are good means of predicting possible problems.
"The best way to analyze it is to take a panoramic x-ray to view the angulations," Tarpenning said. "Just watch them every few years as the roots grow and form."
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