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The development of your wisdom teeth, or third molars, is one of the things that a dentist will keep an eye on at your dental appointments. Family dental in San Antonio can help you manage your wisdom tooth when it becomes unbearable. Typically, third molars emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed for various reasons, including pain, infection, or growth concerns. While not all people require having their wisdom teeth removed, complications can arise if the procedure is postponed.  

If you're wondering what happens if you don't get your wisdom teeth removed, here's what to expect.

What Happens When You Ignore Your Wisdom Tooth?

‍Overcrowding  

Many patients' mouths and jaws are smaller than ideal, making it difficult for the third molars to erupt properly. If these teeth do erupt, there may be crowding. You'll notice that your teeth start to move or overlap. When wisdom teeth erupt after orthodontic treatment is finished, the teeth may shift, rendering the treatment ineffective.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth  

Wisdom teeth that are impacted are imprisoned below the gum line. Impacted wisdom teeth can be excruciatingly painful and are often susceptible to infection and abscess. This may cause healthy teeth to resorb and deteriorate.

Sometimes, if wisdom teeth are not adequately checked, they may grow parallel to the jawline. Additionally, they may move backward and eventually obstruct your jaw's ability to open and close. When this happens, you’ll need to remove the tooth to help relieve the pain and avoid other complications.

Greater Chance of Tooth Decay  

Even when wisdom teeth erupt normally, their position may make them more difficult to maintain. Later health problems may result from more bacteria growing because of this. Your wisdom teeth will need to be monitored if they are not extracted.

An oral surgeon typically handles impacted teeth. Swelling and a pain in the rear of the jaw could be symptoms of impacted or rupturing wisdom teeth. The amount and direction of growth can be determined with a straightforward set of X-rays.  

How Wisdom Teeth are Removed  

Due to their position, wisdom teeth are among the most common extracted teeth. Third, molars are more vulnerable to infection and deterioration since they are located the farthest back in the mouth. In some situations, wisdom teeth might damage the tooth adjacent to them by becoming impacted.  

Your dentist can advise you whether it would be preferable to have your wisdom teeth extracted after inspecting your mouth and taking an X-ray of them. Additionally, dentists can remove excess gum tissue from surrounding wisdom teeth (operculectomy) to make them easier to clean, potentially preventing the need for any tooth extractions. This is possible because of the SOL soft tissue laser technology.  

The Process of Recovery  

The healing period following wisdom tooth removal is a major issue for parents and teenagers. This is particularly true if wisdom tooth removal is scheduled to coincide with a school (or college) calendar. You should be aware of what to anticipate following oral surgery if you have your wisdom teeth removed as an adult, especially about the days you will need to miss from work.  

Are You Looking for Reliable Family Dental in San Antonio?  

At La Cantera Dental, our team can help you manage your problems with your wisdom tooth. Give us a call to learn more about the services we offer!