Wisdom tooth surgery

There are many rumours, urban myths, horror stories and inaccuracies associated with wisdom teeth.  In fact, they are simply our third set of molars and the last teeth that we cut, usually in our late teens or early twenties.

At this point in life, all the other teeth are in place, so it is common for the wisdom teeth not to have enough space  As a result, they often erupt in an unfavourable position, which is where some problems can arise.

So why don’t we have enough space for our wisdom teeth?  Two main theories have been put forward:

  1. We now eat a diet that is much softer than the diet eaten by our ancestors.  Eating tough and and gritty foods would have allowed the teeth to wear and create more space for the wisdom teeth.
  2. During evolution, our jaws have decreased in size, but our teeth have remained the same size.
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Which wisdom teeth give us the most trouble?

We normally have four wisdom teeth, one on each side at the top and the bottom.  The majority of problems arise from the lower wisdom teeth rather than the upper wisdom teeth, as the upper wisdom teeth are usually easier to remove so tend to be taken out at the first sign of trouble.  Food and debris also accumulate more around the lower teeth, causing inflammation.

 

 

 

Problems with wisdom teeth

Pericoronitis

Infection around the gum of the erupting wisdom tooth.  This can be very severe and can occur repeatedly, causing pain while eating, inability to open the mouth, swelling and general malaise requiring time off work.

Dental decay

Dental decay (or caries) can occur in any wisdom tooth or the tooth in front of the wisdom tooth (the second molar).

Cyst formation

It is quite common for a wisdom tooth to become impacted in the jaw bone, meaning it never erupts.  This can lead to a cyst developing around the crown of the wisdom tooth, which usually need treatment as they can enlarge and cause a jaw fracture.

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Client Story

My jaw operation has given me great confidence . After being very anxious about the idea of surgery, going ahead with it has been the best decision I’ve made. I’m glad that my teeth are now in the best possible position, in order to give me a lifetime of better dental health. Would like to say a big thank you to my consultant surgeon and the oral surgery team for their support and care.

RM, June 2016

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