4 Types of Bone Grafts and When They're Necessary
Bone grafts are a safe and effective way to restore missing or lost bone in your jaw. Here, we explore the four most common types of bone grafts and explain how they support oral health.
What Happens If I Don’t Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Some people do whatever they can to avoid a trip to the dentist — even for cleaning. So, it’s no wonder they often skip a more involved procedure like wisdom tooth extraction.
While it’s understandable that no one wants to have oral treatment, this procedure can help prevent oral health problems.
Dr. Caesar Sweidan and Dr. Laura Smith use 3D scanners to assess wisdom teeth and identify potential problems at Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi.
If you don’t have your wisdom teeth removed, here’s what can happen.
Why wisdom teeth cause problems
To start, it is entirely possible to keep these molars and not have any issues. However, the reality of the situation makes this less likely.
The problem is that these teeth are the last ones to emerge.
Unlike the other teeth, wisdom teeth usually appear between 17 and 25. By that point, there’s not much room left in the mouth, which can lead to significant problems.
However, even if you make it in your 20s without wisdom teeth drama, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. Instead, complications with these teeth can occur at any point, even later in life.
Since it’s easier to remove wisdom teeth while the roots are still forming, dentists often recommend removal in the late teens or early 20s. There are also fewer complications, making the process easier for younger patients.
What can happen when you keep your wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth often cause three primary issues.
1. They get trapped in the jaw.
This is what experts refer to as an impacted wisdom tooth.
It may not seem like cause for concern, but it can trigger infections and cysts that damage bone supports or delicate tooth roots.
Impacted teeth can also grow toward surrounding teeth, straight up or down, toward the back of the mouth, or at a right angle like it’s lying down — all while trapped inside the jawbone.
2. They only surface partway.
As you might suspect, this issue occurs when a portion of the tooth breaks through the gum, not all of it.
Wisdom teeth in this state are difficult to see and clean, leaving them susceptible to bacteria, infection, and gum disease.
It’s also possible for these partially grown teeth to develop cavities. If that occurs, the tooth requires removal because fillings aren’t an option.
3. They crowd your other teeth.
Finally, wisdom teeth often don’t have enough room. In these situations, they can crowd other teeth out of alignment and even damage nearby teeth.
If you undergo orthodontics or teeth straightening procedures, this complication can compromise your treatment.
When to have your wisdom teeth removed
You shouldn’t assume you have to have your wisdom teeth removed. Instead, our team can help.
Dr. Sweidan and Dr. Smith have the experience and technology you need at Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants to look for potential issues and make personalized recommendations.
If there aren’t obvious signs of a problem, and you’d like to wait, we can put together a “watch and see” strategy. That way, Dr. Sweidan and Dr. Smith can help you avoid unnecessary issues or complications.
Then, if you decide to have them removed, we can guide you through the process so you know what to expect.
Do you have wisdom teeth? Our team can eliminate the guesswork on whether you should remove them.
Contact Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants to book a consultation with Dr. Sweidan or Dr. Smith in Gulfport, Mississippi, today.
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