A small portion of the tooth breaks through the gum, making cleaning difficult and possibly leading to inflammation and infection.
Dentistry has changed dramatically over the past several years, and great strides have been made to enhance patientcomfort and the opportunity for doctors to perform more services without the need for referrals. With so many advancements, many dental myths can now be completely dismissed. When it comes to your overall dental health, it’s important to know the truth. Read on for the featured dental fact.
Removing Wisdom Teeth – When & Why
Along with regular brushing and dental check-ups, monitoring wisdom teeth is a regular part of dental health.
Wisdom teeth, the upper and lower third molars that usually emerge during the teenage years, often cause problems for patients because there is not enough room in the mouth for them. As a result, they can emerge crooked or remain impacted in the gum or bone, causing painful conditions that can threaten dental health.
Reasons to Remove Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth may need to be removed in these potentially painful situations:
Routine dental x-rays are the best indicator for determining when and if wisdom teeth should be considered for removal. However, patients experiencing pain, jaw aches, or soreness and swelling in the gums near the back of the mouth should schedule an appointment to have their wisdom teeth evaluated.
Not every patient needs his or her wisdom teeth removed. If the molars are fully erupted and functional, they may remain functional and monitored in the future. If the wisdom teeth need to be removed, we generally recommend surgery when patients are between 17 and 21 years of age.
We often perform this oral surgery in our own dental offices, however more complex cases may need to be referred to an Oral Surgeon. The procedure is considered minor surgery, but patients may want to arrange for someone to drive them to and from the office.
If you have concerns about your wisdom teeth or questions about your dental health, call one of our offices for an appointment.
LOCATIONS & HOURS
- Souderton Location
775 Route 113, Souderton, PA 18964 - Call for Appointment: 215-486-1649
Mon, Tues: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wed, Thurs: 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Harleysville Location
181 Main St, Harleysville, PA 19438 - Call for Appointment: 215-486-1652
Mon: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tues: 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wed: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thurs: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
