Wisdom teeth extractions are a fairly common procedure. Wisdom teeth often cause problems as they are trying to protrude through the gums. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it means the tooth is coming in at an angle and not straight through the gum. This can cause pain, the tooth can come in unevenly, or the tooth may only emerge partially.
When a wisdom tooth only emerges partially a flap of skin, called an operculum, may form over the tooth. This can make the tooth hard to clean and pieces of food may be caught under the skin. This makes it easy for an infection, called pericoronitis, to develop. It will usually go away on its own, but it causes swelling and pain in the area.
Wisdom teeth tend to cause problems even when they are fully erupted which is why we always will recommend getting them extracted. Extractions can range from a single tooth to removing all four wisdom teeth at once. Based on the preference of the doctor and the patient. If you wish to be put under we DO NOT do that at our office and we will give you a referral to an Oral Surgeon.
