Why Dentists Suggest Extracting Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are formally called third molars because, as the name suggests, they are the third set of permanent molars to develop on your dental ridge. For many people, however, there isn’t enough space on their dental ridges to properly accommodate them, which is why wisdom teeth are often a source of significant trouble. When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can cause severe tooth and jaw pain, as well as progressively worse dental health issues like tooth migration. Therefore, extracting impacted wisdom teeth is typically the only option.

What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Because wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt, your second set of molars may be in their way, causing them to become impacted. Despite the obstruction, wisdom teeth will continue trying to erupt from your gum line, forcing themselves against the teeth that are in their way. If left alone, impacted wisdom teeth can push your other teeth out of alignment, damage them, and lead to increasingly worse dental pain. While not everyone experiences impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist may recommend extracting yours before they become impacted to avoid future complications.

Why Extraction Is the Only Solution
Because wisdom teeth typically become impacted within the jawbone, and because impaction results from lack of space, straightening wisdom teeth is typically not an option. The best way to prevent or stop wisdom tooth impaction is to remove the third molars through tooth extraction. If your wisdom teeth have already disrupted your tooth alignment or led to tooth damage, then your dentist may also recommend an appropriate restorative treatment following your procedure.

Find Out if You Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction
To alleviate or avoid increasing dental health complications, your dentist may suggest extracting one or all of your wisdom teeth. To schedule a consultation, call Oxnard Dentistry in Oxnard, CA, today at (805) 604-9999. We also proudly serve patients from in and around Camarillo, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Moore Park, and all surrounding communities.