When the wisdom teeth, the third set of molars, appear they sometimes need to be removed. When wisdom teeth or third molars appear, they are often impacted. This means that the jaw is not big enough to accommodate the extra teeth, causing the wisdom teeth to push against the other teeth. Wisdom teeth may need to be extracted by a dentist if they are easy to remove or you may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if extraction is difficult. When wisdom teeth only partially come through the gums, bacteria can enter around the teeth, causing infection.
Results can include pain, swelling and illness.
If impacted wisdom teeth continue to grow, other teeth may be forced to shift positions or suffer damage. Cysts or tumors may form from the pressure of wisdom teeth and damage the surrounding bone or tooth roots. If you are experiencing pain, continuously biting your cheek or having problems cleaning your wisdom teeth, removing your wisdom teeth may be necessary. Extracting the wisdom teeth can be performed with a local or general anesthetic. This decision can be discussed with your dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.