Wisdom Teeth Removal in Richmond Hill, ON for Tooth Pain
Nearly all of us develop wisdom teeth and wish we didn’t. Most of us have them on each side of our mouth, upper and lower. Strictly speaking, they are our third set of molars. They’re called “wisdom teeth” because they are so late in erupting out of the jaw – much later than all other teeth in the mouth, arriving in the late teens to early 20s. Because of their late arrival and often problematic positioning, these teeth can lead to crowding, discomfort, and even infections, making it necessary to consider their removal. A tooth removal dentist specializes in safely extracting these troublesome molars with minimal discomfort. If you’re in need of wisdom teeth removal in Richmond Hill, our experienced team at Don Head Dental Care can help you prevent complications and ensure a smooth recovery. By consulting with a skilled tooth removal dentist, you can address any issues caused by wisdom teeth before they result in serious complications.
Nearly all of us develop wisdom teeth and wish we didn’t. Most of us have them on each side of our mouth, upper and lower. Strictly speaking, they are our third set of molars. In fact, they are visitors from a previous life that have outlived their welcome and usefulness.
But we need to take a step back here because that’s where the problem or problems begin—when teeth erupt, or try to erupt. We’ll get to that… but first, did you know that wisdom teeth are visitors from a previous life that have outlived their welcome and usefulness? That's why wisdom tooth extraction is often necessary to prevent future complications and discomfort.
Our ancestors’ jaws were large enough to accommodate 32 teeth, including the big chompers that we call wisdom tooth. That was when human jaws were larger and broader than the average jaw in this day and age. Their jaws were also more U-shaped compared to ours that are more parabolic – a wider U. However, today's smaller, more parabolic jaw shapes can make it difficult for all teeth, including wisdom teeth, to find a proper place, often leading to dental extractions. For those in Richmond facing such issues, our tooth replacement clinic offers cutting-edge solutions to restore your smile and functionality. At the tooth replacement clinic in Richmond Hill, we specialize in dental implants, bridges, and dentures, ensuring that each patient receives personalized care to their specific dental needs and aesthetic goals.
As adults, our current dentition (the arrangement of teeth) in each jaw includes four incisors (for biting), two canines (for tearing), and four bicuspids or premolars, and sixmolars including wisdom teeth (all for grinding) – that’s 32 teeth. But most jaws today are much smaller and have the capacity for only 28 teeth.
There are many theories for why our jaws became smaller, including that the jaw accommodated its structure to enable speech. When it became smaller, the change resulted in less space at the back of the teeth known as the retromolar space. So, as you can see, something has to give! And most of the time, it’s the wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth begin to form at around age nine and completely maturing by 18-21 years. Usually, by our late teens, the jawbone has reached its adult size. This is where the problems begin as the jaw often isn’t big enough to hold the wall of our developed teeth. As a result, when wisdom teeth start to erupt, the space is too limited, and wisdom teeth can find themselves in several predicaments.
Simply put, when wisdom teeth try to erupt into the mouth when there is no room for them, they put pressure on existing already-erupted teeth. This can cause great discomfort or pain. Sometimes wisdom teeth are positioned sideways and push on the roots of your back molars. Sometimes they make other teeth shift – definitely what you don’t want to have happen, especially if you already had orthodontic treatment. Despite the reason these teeth don’t come in to place correctly, we call them “impacted.”
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars. Most permanent teeth have already erupted by the time wisdom teeth begin to emerge, which means there may be limited space available at the back of the jaw.
Between ages 17 and 21, most young adults reach that major dental milestone: the arrival of their third molars. Commonly known as wisdom teeth, they earned their nickname because they emerge as you reach adulthood and gain "wisdom."
Not everyone develops all four wisdom teeth, and their position can vary considerably from person to person. Some erupt normally and remain functional, while others emerge at an angle, only partially erupt, or remain beneath the gums and jawbone.
For this reason, having wisdom teeth does not automatically mean they need to be removed. Their position, surrounding tissues, symptoms, and potential effects on neighbouring teeth should be evaluated individually.
Complications Of Wisdom Teeth Emerge When They Become…
- Trapped – Sometimes, wisdom teeth become trapped in the jawbone below the gumline. When it happens, aching and pain will occur. You cannot diagnose this yourself as the positioning of the wisdom teeth can only be seen with the aid of x-rays.
- Sideways – This is when the wisdom tooth wants to erupt, but it’s positioned to grow sideways and push forward against the second molar. Again, great discomfort and pain. This can cause other teeth to give way and shift position, possibly disrupting the alignment of all your teeth, not just the ones at the back of your mouth.
- Partially erupted – The tooth’s crown may only partially break through the gum, as it can be held back by the already-in-place second molars. Often, the molar may not put pressure on its neighbors. But it is very difficult to clean and impossible to floss, leaving it susceptible to serious decay and infection further down the road.
- Misplaced – A wisdom tooth may remain in the bone with misshapen or misplaced roots that can grow dangerously close to a sinus cavity.
What May Happen When Wisdom Teeth Become Impacted?
While you likely won’t experience all these symptoms, you will definitely experience some…
- Tooth discomfort or pain
- Shifting teeth
- Sore gums
- Face pain
- Jaw pain
- Reduced ability to open mouth
- Infection
- Swelling
- Gum disease
- Bad breath
- Cavities
- Jawbone cysts.
Predicting The Future Of Your Wisdom Teeth?
It’s difficult to predict when or if your wisdom teeth will give you problems, but regular x-rays can provide us with a good indication. Wisdom teeth removal at a younger age before complications develop means easier extractions and a much faster recovery time.
Why Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?
One of the main challenges with wisdom teeth is their location. Because they are the last molars at the back of the mouth, there may not be enough room for them to erupt into a functional position.
A wisdom tooth may become angled toward a nearby second molar, remain below the gumline, or only partially emerge. Partially erupted teeth can also be difficult to brush and floss because a portion of the tooth remains covered by gum tissue.
Depending on their position, wisdom teeth may be associated with discomfort, inflammation around the gums, decay, infection, or effects on a surrounding tooth. A wisdom tooth that is impacted can even form a cyst on or near the impacted tooth. This could damage the roots of nearby teeth or destroy the bone that supports your teeth.
Regular dental examinations and appropriate imaging allow the dentist to monitor these areas and recommend wisdom teeth treatment in Richmond Hill, ON, based on the individual findings.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
A wisdom tooth is considered impacted when it cannot fully erupt into its expected position.
Impaction can occur in different ways. A tooth may remain completely below the gumline, emerge only partially, or develop at an angle because another tooth or surrounding bone prevents normal eruption.
An impacted wisdom tooth does not necessarily cause immediate symptoms. In fact, some people are unaware of an impacted tooth until it is identified on a dental X-ray.
Other impacted teeth can be associated with discomfort or oral health concerns. A partially erupted wisdom tooth, for example, may create an area where plaque and food debris are difficult to remove. Depending on the tooth's position, this may affect the wisdom tooth itself or the neighbouring second molar.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Need Evaluation
Wisdom teeth can sometimes cause noticeable symptoms as they develop or attempt to erupt. An evaluation for wisdom teeth surgery may be appropriate if you experience changes at the back of your mouth.
Possible signs include:
- Pain or tenderness near the back molars
- Swollen, red, or tender gums around a wisdom tooth
- Difficulty opening your mouth normally
- Swelling around the jaw
- Recurring inflammation or infection around a partially erupted tooth
- Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste associated with the area
- Difficulty keeping the back of the mouth clean
- Signs of decay involving a wisdom tooth or neighbouring tooth
However, these symptoms can have causes unrelated to wisdom teeth. An examination and, when indicated, dental imaging can help identify the source.
How Do We Treat Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
No one can tell when an impacted molar will cause trouble, but trouble usually comes. The key to avoiding discomfort and complicated treatment is with x-rays so that the wisdom teeth can be removed before that happens. It’s one of the most common oral surgery treatments.
When Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Recommended?
Not every wisdom tooth needs to be extracted. In some cases, a wisdom tooth that has erupted properly, can be cleaned effectively, and is not affecting surrounding structures, may simply be monitored during regular dental visits.
Wisdom teeth extraction may be considered when a tooth is causing symptoms or when examination and imaging identify a clinical concern. Our doctors will look for signs of impaction, pain, damage to surrounding teeth, infection risk, and crowding among the reasons removal may be considered.
Other factors can include recurrent inflammation around a partially erupted tooth, decay that cannot be predictably restored, certain cysts or other pathology associated with the tooth, or an eruption position that is adversely affecting a nearby tooth.
What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Before wisdom teeth extraction, our dentist evaluates the position of the tooth or teeth and reviews relevant dental imaging and your health history. The complexity of the procedure can vary depending on whether the tooth has fully erupted, is partially covered by gum tissue, or remains within the jawbone.
During wisdom teeth removal in Richmond Hill, ON, appropriate anesthesia is used based on the planned treatment. An erupted wisdom tooth may sometimes be removed similarly to another dental extraction. An impacted tooth may require a surgical approach to access and remove it.
In some cases, all four wisdom teeth can be treated during one appointment when appropriate for the patient's treatment plan. The number of teeth removed at one visit depends on factors such as their position and the patient's medical history.
Before treatment, our dentist can explain the planned procedure, anticipated recovery, and instructions specific to your situation.
Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Replaced After Removal?
Patients occasionally search for information about wisdom teeth replacement after an extraction. In most circumstances, wisdom teeth do not need to be replaced after removal.
Unlike the loss of another permanent molar that contributes to everyday chewing and the dental arch, removing a third molar generally does not create a space that requires a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture.
If a permanent tooth other than a wisdom tooth has to be extracted, tooth-replacement options may include a dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture, depending on the location of the missing tooth and the patient's oral health.
Even though they’re called “wisdom teeth,” they don’t seem to be very wise…At Don Head Dental Care, we will develop a treatment plan to help you make smart choices. Call us (289) 809-2593 today for Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Richmond Hill. New patients are always welcome!