Wisdom teeth extractions Wisdom teeth, or third position by age 25, they are molars, do not always erupt considered impacted-no properly when they decide place to go and no plans to to make an appearance. It's grow. Third impaction wise to get an early opinion is the most prevalent medical from your dentist on getting developmental disorder. A wisdom teeth pulled before full set of healthy teeth they become impacted, sometimes doesn't leave causing pain, swelling, much room for wisdom teeth infection, cavities or gum to erupt. . What kind of problems Why don't wisdom teeth can impacted third molars people should be How is the grow in right? cause? evaluated by their dentist removed? Although we have seen a Partially erupted wisdom who can track third molar Surgery for impacted wisdom reduction in the size of the teeth are breeding grounds development with the help teeth consists of removing of human jaw during the for bacteria and germs and of X-rays. Second molars the gum tissue over the tooth, course of human evolution, may lead to infection. In should be visible to lessen gently stripping connective we still retain the same addition to jaw pain and the chance of damaging tissue away from the tooth number of teeth. The gum disease, which may also them during surgery. This and bone, removing the tooth change in jaw size of mod- develop, impacted third occurs at age 11 or 12, so and sewing the gum back up. ern humans is related to the molars are ripe sites for the wisdom teeth should be discovery and use of fire to growth of tumors and cysts. removed when the decision Sources: William Howard, DMD, prepare food, and the devel- Not all wisdom teeth cause has been made that they MAGD; "The management of third opment of crude tools, such problems, however. cannot erupt into an accept- molar teeth," Dentoalveolar Surgery, as blades, to process food. able position. February 1993; "Impacted lower wis- These advances not only Can't I just use an dom tooth: To remove or to leave enhanced the culinary skills ? What if I don't have any alone," Dental Update, July/August and diet of early humans, only soothe symptoms? 1994; "Surgical removal of third they significantly lightened infected wisdom teeth for a People with symptoms of molars, " British Medical Journal, the workload of the jaw. The short time. Since people fre- impaction, such as pain, September 1994, "Impactations: result? As the need for a quently use a wide variety of swelling and infection should Observe or Treat?" West Virginia powerful jaw vanished, the antibiotics, the infection may have their wisdom teeth Dental Journal, October 1994; jaw became smaller, and the be resistant to such medica- removed immediately. " and lesions associated teeth became crowded, the tion and doesn't solve the However, those with no with third molars," Oral Surgery Oral space required for the prop- real problem: The tooth can't symptoms can avoid the Medicine Oral Pathology, February er growth of wisdom teeth, fit in your mouth. chance of ever suffering from 1995; "Early removal of wisdom no longer available. (The the pain of impacted wisdom teeth can prevent an array of prob- modern, human mouth is When is removal teeth or achieve better ortho- lems," Georgia Dental Association too small to accommodate necessary? dontic treatment results by Action, March 1994; "Patient's anxi- wisdom teeth, which make It isn't wise to wait until having them removed. eties with third molar surgery," British their appearance in young wisdom teeth bother you. impacted wis- Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial adults between the ages of Early removal, as advised by dom teeth also should be Surgery, October 1994; "Symptoms 1 5-25.) your dentist, is generally removed to reduce the from impacted wisdom teeth," British recommended to avoid chance of unexplained pain, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial What does problems, such as an accommodate prosthetic Surgery, December 1994; "Infections "impacted" mean? impacted tooth that appliances, or avoid cavities, in elderly patients associated with When wisdom teeth don't destroys the second molar. , bone impacted third molars," Oral Surgery have room to grow or they People younger than 16 heal shrinkage and tumor devel- Oral Medicine Oral Pathology, haven't reached their final easier too. At an early age, opment. February 1995.

This information was compied for you by the Academy of General . Your dentist cares about long-term dental health for you and your family and demonstrates that concern by belonging to the Academy of General DenbsyAs one the 35OOO general dentists inthe United States and Canada who are members of the Academy, yourdentist parbcates in an onong propm of professioml developmentand continuing education to remain current vAth advances in the profassion and to protide qual4 patent treatment Vsit the AGD's website at wmvagd.org. You have permissbn to photocopy this page and cfisHxAe ito your patents. What is gum disease.? Gum disease or periodontal Diseases that interfere with the disease, a chronic inflamma- body?s immune system, such as tion and infection of the leukemia and AIDS, may and surrounding tissue, worsen the condition of the is the major cause of about gums. In patients with uncon- 70 percent of adult tooth trolled diabetes, where the loss, affecting three out of body is more prone to infec- four persons at some point in tion, gum disease is more their life. severe or harder to control.

What causes gum disease? What are the warning Bacterial plaque - a sticky, signs of gum disease? hardened plaque build-up and Is maintenance important? colorless film that constantly Signs include red, swollen or recontourmg the damaged Sticking to a regular oral forms on the teeth - is rec- tender gums, bleeding while bone. The procedure is also hygiene regimen is crucial for ognized as the primary cause brushing or flossing, gums that designed to smooth root sur- patients who want to sustain of gum disease. Specific peri- pull away from teeth, loose or faces and reposition the gum the results of therapy. odontal diseases may be asso- separating teeth, puss between tissue so it will be easier to Patients should visit the den- ciated with specific bacterial the gum and tooth, persistent keep clean. tist every 3-4 months (or types. If plaque isn't removed , change in the way more, depending on the each day by brushing and teeth fit together when the How do you prevent patient) for spot scaling and flossing, it hardens into a patient bites, and a change in gum disease? root planing and an overall rough, porous substance called the fit of partial dentures. Removing plaque through exam. In between visits, they calculus (also known as tar- While patients are advised to daily brushing, flossing and should brush at least twice a tar).Toxins (poisons) pro- check for the warning signs, professional cleaning is the day, floss daily, and brush duced and released by bacteria there might not be any dis- best way to minimize your their tongue. Manual soft in plaque irritate the gums. comfort until the disease has risk. Your dentist can design nylon bristle brushes are the These toxins cause the break- spread to a point where the a personalized program of most dependable and least down of the fibers that hold tooth is unsalvageable. That's home oral care to meet your expensive. Electric brushes the gums tightly to the teeth, why patients are advised to get needs. If a dentist doesn't do are also a good option, but creating periodontal pockets frequent dental exams. a periodontal exam during a don't reach any further into which fill with even more tox- regular visit, the patient the pocket than manual ins and bacteria. As the disease What does periodontal should request it. Children brushes. Proxy brushes progresses, pockets extend treatment involve? also should be examined. ( small, narrow brushes) are deeper and the bacteria moves In the early stages, most treat- the best way to clean in down until the bone that ment involves scaling and root What is the role of the between the recesses in the holds the tooth in place is planing—removing plaque general dentist? teeth, and should be used destroyed. The tooth eventual- and calculus around the tooth The general dentist usually once a day. Wooden tooth ly will fall out or require and smoothing the root sun- detects gum disease and treats picks and rubber tips should extraction. faces. Antibiotics or antimi- it in the early stages. Some only be used if recommend- crobials may be used to sup- general dentists have acquired ed by your dentist. Are there other factors? plement the effects of scaling additional expertise to treat Yes. Genetics is also a factor, as and root planing. In most more advanced conditions of Sources: The American Academy of are lifestyle choices. A diet low cases of early gum disease, the disease. If the general den- Periodontology; Atrix Laboratories, in nutrients can diminish the called , scaling and tist believes that the gum dis- Inc.; "Non-surgical Periodontal body?s ability to fight infection. root planing and proper daily ease requires treatment by a Therapy: Essential and Adjunctive Smokers and spit tobacco users cleaning achieve a satisfactory specialist, the patient will be Methods," by PR. Greene, BDS, have more irritation to gum result. More advanced cases referred to a periodontist. The FDSRCPS, the British Dental Journal, tissues than non-tobacco users, may require surgical treat- dentist and periodontist will 1995; "Four Steps to Soft Tissue while stress can also affect the ment, which involves cutting work together to formulate a Management," by SN., Bhaskar, ability to ward off disease. the gums, and removing the treatment plan for the patient. DDS, Dentistry Today, October, 1995;

This information was compiled for you by the Academy of General Dentistry. Your dentist cares aboutlong-term dental health for you and yourthmfly and demonstrates that concern by belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry. As one of the 35, general dentists nthe United States and Canada who are members of the Acaderny, your dentist sin an ongoing pro gram of professional developmentand continuing education to remain current with aMnces in the prokssion and to pwide quality patient treatment Visit the AGD's website at wwwagdorg. You have permission to 0obcopy this page and distrtute it to your patient.