Around 3.5 million wisdom teeth will be extracted every year in the United States surgically, with another ten million simply being pulled. This is the story of our human evolution. Thousands and thousands of years ago, wisdom teeth were necessary as a third set of molars, providing more chomping power for the harder diet of that day. The diet of today is considerably different, and that third set of molars is no longer needed. In fact, around 35% of the population is born today without any wisdom teeth at all. Another 75% to 85% need to have their wisdom teeth removed for the following reasons.
Why Do So Many Need to Have Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Most often, wisdom teeth erupt through your gum line between the ages of 17 and 25. If you have your periodical exams, your dentist can easily view the wisdom teeth on the X-rays and then track their movement. They can identify and determine if the teeth will erupt or if there is enough space to accommodate the additional teeth in each jaw. If it is decided that it will be beneficial to have a wisdom tooth extraction, it might be best to have it done sooner rather than later to eliminate any possibility of nerve involvement, which will occur through the aging process.
The primary reason for wisdom tooth extraction is simply that of space. Through the human evolution process, there is now often not enough space in your mouth. They might come in crooked and put additional pressure on the remainder of your teeth, which will affect your bite pattern and alignment. Impacted teeth provide absolutely no benefit, so that is a good reason. If you cannot reach your erupted wisdom teeth to thoroughly clean them, it would also be wise to have them removed to avoid decay and cavities.
There Are Only Two Methods of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The first method is to simply pull the erupted tooth just like any other tooth in your mouth. A local anesthetic is first used to numb the tooth and the immediate surrounding soft tissue. The tooth is then pulled with an instrument called a forceps, which is like dental pliers.
With an impacted tooth, two additional steps are necessary. Once the area is numbed, the soft tissue is surgically cut to expose the impacted tooth. The forceps are also now used to pull the impacted tooth. Then the site is simply sutured closed. You might need some additional sedation to control your anxiety and minimize any discomfort if the tooth is difficult to remove.
The Healing Process and the Benefits
The proactive removal of a wisdom tooth can prevent and save you from potential negative health issues. After the tooth is extracted, you will be advised to properly care for the site by not smoking, chewing hard or tough food, and not suck through a straw for a beverage. Daily brushing must be done carefully, avoiding the extraction site, so as not disrupt the blood clot. After the site has healed, you can enjoy the integrity of the balance of your bite alignment. It has been maintained and not jeopardized, making the effort well worth it.