The wisdom teeth are the final teeth to emerge, typically sometime during adolescence or early adulthood. For most of us, the jaw is simply too small for these final molars to fit, resulting in long-term complications that can include both functional and aesthetic problems. To avoid these complications, preemptive wisdom teeth removal is usually recommended. Delaying wisdom teeth removal can increase your chances of developing painful symptoms that may compromise your smile or require more intensive surgical care.
Why Wisdom Teeth Removal Is Recommended
As the last teeth to emerge from the jaw, the wisdom teeth often erupt into a smile that has insufficient room for them. This fact leads to crowding issues that can cause a number of long-term health complications. These complications are so common that more than 98 percent of people need wisdom teeth removal to stay healthy.
Impacted vs. Unimpacted Wisdom Teeth
When the wisdom teeth don’t fully emerge, the crowding they cause can make teeth cleaning difficult and may shift other teeth out of alignment. This drastically increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, both of which are associated with increased risks of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.
Impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause crowding, tooth decay, and gum disease than those that erupt normally. Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth can cause your smile to develop oral cysts, which are often precursors to oral cancer.
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Learn More About the Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal
The bottom line is that preemptive wisdom teeth removal can be an important investment in your long-term oral health, quality of life, and the integrity of your smile. We are pleased to offer this treatment at Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center, where our surgeons always emphasize patient comfort and safety. Learn more about wisdom teeth removal today.
