Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always need to get all of your wisdom teeth removed. This extra set of molars usually erupt somewhere around age 18 or 20, depending on the individual. Dr. Mualla and our Leesburg Family Dental team can monitor your oral health and tell you if you need to get your wisdom teeth removed. It’s possible that not all of them may require extraction.
When Not To Remove Wisdom Teeth
Some fortunate people don’t need wisdom teeth removed at all. Wisdom teeth can grow in and fit the mouth perfectly. When this situation happens and your jaw is large enough that your bite isn’t affected, it’s not necessary to remove wisdom teeth. As long as you can easily reach to floss and brush in order to keep your wisdom teeth healthy, your wisdom teeth can stay.
When Wisdom Teeth Need Extraction
Wisdom teeth tend not to grow in completely, leading to health problems down the road. Our dentist may recommend removing wisdom teeth to prevent those problems. Let’s look at the two reasons why you might need wisdom teeth extraction.
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Incorrect growth
Wisdom teeth may not erupt from the gums fully. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and tender gums. They are difficult to keep clean and are therefore easily prone to tooth decay. The pockets created by impacted wisdom teeth also make them susceptible to infection.
Sometimes there isn’t enough room in the jaw for wisdom teeth. This can cause wisdom teeth to grow in at odd angles that can’t be fixed with braces. We will likely recommend removing the wisdom teeth to prevent overcrowding which can cause the rest of your teeth to move out of alignment.
Wisdom Tooth Removal in Leesburg, VA
During your biannual visits to Leesburg Family Dental, we will monitor the condition of your overall dental health, including your wisdom teeth. We will take an X-ray of your teeth to see where the wisdom teeth are positioned. This will help us determine the direction they are likely to take as they grow in. If they have erupted, we can tell if they look like they will cause oral health problems. If you need any or all of your wisdom teeth removed, we provide gentle wisdom tooth extraction. Please give us a call to discuss your wisdom teeth. We’re always happy to help you keep your smile healthy.
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