How do wisdom teeth affect my oral health?
There’s a variety of ways that the emergence and retention of wisdom teeth could affect your oral wellbeing. First, keeping these teeth will increase your risks for gum disease and cavities. Second, wisdom tooth retention could lead to the development of orthodontic concerns and unhealthy bites.
What makes wisdom teeth so problematic is the fact that they rarely come through the jaw and gums in healthy positions. Instead, they emerge sideways. They tend to erupt “impacted”, which means that portions of these teeth are “stuck” in the gums and/or jaw. Impacted teeth present serious oral health concerns because they are difficult to keep clean and because food and bacteria become trapped between the teeth and the gingiva quite easily.
Impacted wisdom teeth are prevalent because there is simply not enough room in the jaw for their proper eruption. This crowded situation means that existing teeth could shift out of place – becoming crooked, crowded, and overlapped. If you have previously received orthodontic treatment, your wisdom teeth emerging could undo the investment you made in having a straight smile.
Misaligned teeth are more difficult to keep clean, tend to develop accelerated wear and tear, and could cause discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during oral function.
Will I be comfortable during my wisdom teeth procedure?
Our practice utilizes IV sedation and advanced surgical techniques to ensure a comfortable experience for all of our guests. During treatment, you will feel relaxed and at ease. We will also provide a helpful instruction packet full of useful tips to maintain comfort in the days following your procedure.
If you would like to reserve an appointment with our oral surgeon, call Charlottesville Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center at your convenience.