Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Oral Surgery in Sacramento & in Yuba-Sutter
What is a Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth, known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in the
mouth. They are located behind each of the molar teeth in the upper and
lower jaws. In general, most people have four wisdom teeth while some
may have more and others may have less. The prediction is that with our
current diets, from an evolutionary perspective, we will stop developing
wisdom teeth although this will not occur for thousands of years.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Become Impacted?
From an evolutionary perspective, our diets hundreds of years ago were
rougher and harder requiring higher bite forces which allowed the bones
(jaws) to be stimulated to get larger and in turn to allow all the teeth
to erupt and function normally due to having enough space.
Through the centuries, with the diets becoming softer, the jaws have become
smaller and thus makes it difficult for the teeth to erupt normally in
a straight manner and are usually angled due to lack of space. This can
cause pain, swelling, inability to clean behind the second molars, cysts
to develop, sometimes damage to adjacent teeth and affect nerves and sinuses.
As we age, the roots continue to grow and can cause problems later in life.
It is easy to predict some of the potential problems and this is why it’s
important to come and speak to one of our surgeons. Generally, a large
number of wisdom teeth should be removed in order to avoid future problems.
What Does Removing My Wisdom Teeth Require?
The real answer is that it depends. If the teeth have erupted, then they
can be taken out like any other tooth. If they are angled or impacted,
then a combination of cutting the gum tissue, the bone and or tooth may
be required. It is best to talk to your surgeon to get the details of
your specific case as this is one of the purposes of a consultation. Additionally,
it is important to discuss the type of anesthesia that will be utilized
for your procedure.
If you come into one of our four locations (Sacramento, Natomas, Orangevale,
or Yuba City) for oral surgery or to have your wisdom teeth removed, you
can rest assured we will provide you with the highest quality of care
from the time you show up for your consultation to your post-operative
visit. We believe that you deserve to have a positive experience and we
will do everything possible to ensure you do.
If you are ready to begin, call (844) 673-9131 to consult a Sacramento oral surgeon.