You’ll likely already know that teeth grow in the mouth at different stages throughout a person’s childhood and youth. Wisdom teeth, found at the back of the mouth, are typically the last teeth to break through the gums.
For many people, wisdom teeth emerge with no issues during their late teens or early twenties. However, wisdom teeth can cause problems for others, and you will need to get an oral surgeon like Dr. Anthony Farole to remove them surgically.
Dr. Farole runs a facial cosmetic surgery center in Bala Cynwyd, PA, and is a board-certified oral surgeon. Find out more about wisdom teeth, when they should get removed, and how wisdom teeth removal could be advantageous for you.
How Wisdom Teeth Are Found
Most people end up with twenty teeth in their mouths (ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower jaw). Those teeth grow in stages, starting from around eight months after birth and continuing until early adulthood.
Wisdom teeth are the third (and final) set of molars that the majority of people get during their late teens or early twenties. You can find your wisdom teeth at the back of your mouth, behind your existing teeth on your upper and lower jaws.
Wisdom teeth don’t pose a problem for most people when they emerge straight up through the gums and get properly aligned with the other teeth in their mouths.
Why Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed
In some cases, wisdom teeth can pose a problem and will ultimately need to get removed. For example, wisdom teeth can get misaligned when they emerge, causing crowding or damage to adjacent teeth.
If wisdom teeth only partially emerge through the gum, bacteria can enter around the teeth and cause infections. That can then result in pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and eventual tooth decay.
Sometimes, a fluid-filled sac such as a cyst or tumor can form, resulting in the erosion of surrounding bone and tooth-root structures.
About Wisdom Teeth Extraction
The process for wisdom teeth removal begins with sedation or a local or general anesthetic, depending on the situation. Next, Dr. Farole extracts the wisdom teeth, ensuring all pain gets kept to a minimum.
Afterward, some people may return to their daily activities after the surgery; however, others may need to rest at home if they feel drowsy. Most people have little to no pain post-procedure and mild swelling and discomfort for two to three days.
Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth extraction is beneficial for those who experience partially-emerged or misaligned teeth, causing them pain and discomfort. It’s an outpatient procedure, and many people can return to their daily activities afterward.
The mouth will heal naturally over the next few weeks after the procedure. Dr. Farole may prescribe you medication to help ease pain or swelling, resulting in little to no disruption in your daily life post-procedure.
Lastly, after the healing process is complete, you won’t experience the pain or discomfort caused when you still had your wisdom teeth.
Take the Next Step
Are you interested in learning more about wisdom teeth? Schedule a consultation at Dr. Farole’s Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center in Bala Cynwyd, PA by giving us a call at (610) 668-3300 today.
