Dentists often recommend wisdom teeth removal, but is it always necessary? The short answer is that it depends on your specific circumstances. Wisdom tooth extraction may be necessary if you have an impacted tooth or oral pain. Your Colleyville oral surgeon may also recommend extraction as a preventative measure.

At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists, our oral surgeon Dr. Chris Tye will take x-rays and examine your teeth to determine if wisdom teeth removal is necessary for you. He may recommend this restorative procedure if you have current issues with your wisdom teeth or the potential for future issues.

Here are the situations in which you may require a wisdom tooth extraction:

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom teeth do not always fully erupt. This often occurs because there isn’t enough room in the mouth for the teeth to emerge properly. When this happens, the tooth becomes impacted. This means that the tooth pushes into the molar beside it, thus crowding that tooth and preventing the wisdom tooth from erupting through the gumline properly.

In some cases, pain in the gums, jaw, or nearby teeth will alert you to the fact that your wisdom tooth is impacted. Other times, you won’t realize that the tooth is impacted until you undergo dental x-rays. Even if there is no pain, the tooth should be removed before it causes oral health problems.

Oral Pain

If you feel pain around your wisdom tooth, it’s likely a sign that you need the tooth extracted. This pain may be in the gums, jaw, the tooth itself, or surrounding teeth. In some cases, you may find that the wisdom tooth is digging into your check every time you chew because there isn’t enough room for it.

Pain may be an indicator of a variety of oral health problems. If you experience oral pain, you should visit a dental specialist to determine the cause of your symptoms. Your dentist can recommend you to an experienced oral surgeon, such as Dr. Tye, if your wisdom teeth are the cause of the pain.

Prevention

You may not currently have problems with your wisdom teeth, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be dental problems in the future. Since a majority of people develop issues with their wisdom teeth, dentists and oral surgeons often recommend removal as a preventative measure. Wisdom teeth have the potential to cause a variety of oral health issues, including:

  • Damage to nearby teeth
  • Pain
  • Cysts
  • Tooth decay
  • TMJ disorders
  • Infection of surrounding tissue
  • Periodontal disease

Oral surgeons may recommend extraction if the opposite wisdom tooth is missing or being removed. If a lower or upper wisdom tooth is missing, the tooth above or below it may extend into the vacated space.

In many cases, if one wisdom tooth has issues, your Colleyville oral surgeon will recommend the removal of all four wisdom teeth. Problems with one of the teeth may be a predictor of potential problems with the other wisdom teeth.

Contact Our Colleyville Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Teeth Removal

If you’re experiencing issues with your wisdom teeth or want to prevent future dental problems, contact the office of Dr. Chris Tye in Colleyville, TX for a wisdom tooth extraction. Fill out our online form or contact our office by calling 817-552-3223.