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07
Aug
Understanding the Impact of Wisdom Teeth on Your Dental Health and What Can Happen If They Are Not Extracted
Chances are that, at some point in your life (typically as a young adult), your wisdom teeth – the third molars residing in the very back of your mouth – will need to be removed. There are several reasons to have your wisdom teeth removed, some of which we will discuss shortly. If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed and are living in the Greensboro, NC area, you should reach out to Dr. Steven Hatcher and his team at Triad Dentistry. At Triad Dentistry, Dr. Hatcher is performing wisdom teeth extractions that are safe, will lead to optimal dental health, and will allow you to have a beautifully aligned smile.
Not everybody will need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. You most likely will not need them removed if they are:
- Fully erupted and grown in
- Healthy
- Erupted with correct positioning and your bite is proper
- Can be cleaned daily as part of your regular dental hygiene practices
Problems with Wisdom Teeth
For many people, this will not be the case, and the wisdom teeth will need extraction. This is due to the tendency of wisdom teeth not having the room they require to grow properly leading to erupting teeth that have grown at different angles in the jaw. Wisdom teeth can even grow completely horizontal. Some problems with wisdom teeth include:
- Wisdom teeth can be completely hidden within the gums. When they are not able to emerge in a normal manner, they can become impacted (or trapped) within your jaw. This can result in numerous health complications including infection or cyst development that can damage nearby tooth roots or supporting bone.
- Wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge only partly from the gums. Due to the area being hard to see and clean, partially erupted wisdom teeth can create a passageway that will attract bacteria. This will lead to gum disease and oral infection.
- Wisdom teeth, which crowd nearby teeth because they do not have room to erupt properly can crowd and even damage adjacent teeth.
Dentists will recommend having wisdom teeth removed if they will not fully emerge. Many dentists will recommend this be done at a young age before roots and bone are completely developed. This is why you will hear many stories of people having the teeth removed in their younger years, usually in high school.
What Can Happen If You Don’t Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth can be a topic of concern for dental patients. Dentists regularly, are being asked about these pesky little teeth including “How do I know if I need my wisdom teeth removed?”, “What happens if I elect not to have them removed?” and “Does the extraction hurt?”. These are all common questions and important as well. Wisdom teeth are confusing and, to some younger patients especially, scary to think about having them removed. As has been discussed, most people will have these teeth removed. It has been estimated that about 90% of Americans have them removed. So then, what happens if you choose not to have your wisdom teeth removed?
- Overcrowding – The most common reason dentists recommend wisdom tooth extraction is overcrowding. For many, there is not enough room in their mouth to accommodate these new teeth. Dentists can detect this through the use of dental x-rays, which will show if there will be enough room or not. If there is not enough room and the wisdom teeth are not removed, overcrowding will occur. Additionally, they could erupt crooked or even cause an impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth simply mean that they are stuck in the jawbone underneath the gum line, which can be incredibly painful and lead to possible infection.
- Coming in Sideways – Wisdom teeth can do something interesting. They can work themselves into a completely horizontal position and then erupt sideways out of the gums instead of vertically. When this happens, nearby healthy teeth can face serious damage. Your bite can also be affected leading to larger, serious, and painful dental problems.
- Susceptible to Bacteria – Even in cases where wisdom teeth come in perfectly and present no danger to surrounding teeth, there is still risk involved. Since your wisdom teeth are located in the very back of your mouth, you may find them difficult to properly care for. They can be difficult to completely clean and, because of this, they will be susceptible to bacteria. This would inevitably lead to plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease.
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Wisdom Teeth Removal
When you come into Triad Dentistry for your wisdom teeth extraction, Dr. Hatcher and his talented staff will first sedate you and, using local anesthetics to eliminate any pain or discomfort, will then begin working on the extraction. If any of your wisdom teeth have become impacted, Dr. Hatcher will need to get into the bone to remove the impacted tooth properly and safely. Once your wisdom teeth have been extracted, you will be ready to leave. Dr. Hatcher will provide you with instructions on healing and aftercare. Healing times will vary from patient to patient and will also depend on how difficult the extraction was. A follow-up appointment will be set so that Dr. Hatcher can examine to see how your healing is progressing, and further instruction will be provided until you are fully healed.
If you are interested in learning more about wisdom teeth or are looking to have your or somebody in your family’s teeth extracted, please contact Dr. Steven Hatcher and his team at Triad Dentistry by calling (336) 383-1482.
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Dr. Steven L. Hatcher is a skilled dentist with extensive expertise in oral health and
patient care. A University of North Carolina alumnus with a background in biology and cancer research, Dr.
Hatcher's military service at prestigious locations, including Fort Meade and the Pentagon, underscores his
commitment to excellence. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and an active member of several
professional associations. Recognized for his dedication through numerous awards, including Army
Commendation Medals, Dr. Hatcher continually advances his knowledge through ongoing education. His
patient-centered approach ensures personalized, long-term oral wellness.
Dr. Chad T. Merrell, a dedicated dentist with 16 years of experience, combines his deep expertise and advanced training to provide exceptional care. A Temple University School of Dentistry alumnus and Advanced Education in General Dentistry resident at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Merrell is skilled in advanced dental techniques. His commitment to patient care, treating each as family, underscores his trustworthiness. His background includes a B.S. in Zoology from N.C. State University and an Eagle Scout honor, highlighting his long-standing dedication to excellence. You can trust Dr. Merrell for compassionate, cutting-edge dental care.
Dr. Sona J. Isharani is a board-certified pediatric dentist renowned for her compassionate care and expertise. With a background that combines hands-on parenting experience and specialized training, Dr. Isharani excels in creating a comforting, home-like environment for children and their families. Affectionately known as "Dr. Sona," she emphasizes education and preventive care to ensure lifelong dental health. At Triad Pediatric Dentistry, she provides exceptional dental care and maintains continuity of care as children transition to adulthood, reflecting her commitment to building trust and fostering long-term relationships with her patients.
Dr. Bailey Walker is a dedicated general dentist known for her compassionate care and patient-centered approach. With a B.Sc. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biology from Illinois State University and a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from Southern Illinois University, she combines extensive academic knowledge with hands-on expertise. Dr. Walker is pursuing a fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, underscoring her commitment to professional excellence. Her community engagement includes dental mission trips and volunteering for underserved populations. Dr. Walker’s emphasis on patient education and her caring nature foster a trusted, positive dental experience.
Dr. Chad T. Merrell, a dedicated dentist with 16 years of experience, combines his deep expertise and advanced training to provide exceptional care. A Temple University School of Dentistry alumnus and Advanced Education in General Dentistry resident at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Merrell is skilled in advanced dental techniques. His commitment to patient care, treating each as family, underscores his trustworthiness. His background includes a B.S. in Zoology from N.C. State University and an Eagle Scout honor, highlighting his long-standing dedication to excellence. You can trust Dr. Merrell for compassionate, cutting-edge dental care.
Dr. Sona J. Isharani is a board-certified pediatric dentist renowned for her compassionate care and expertise. With a background that combines hands-on parenting experience and specialized training, Dr. Isharani excels in creating a comforting, home-like environment for children and their families. Affectionately known as "Dr. Sona," she emphasizes education and preventive care to ensure lifelong dental health. At Triad Pediatric Dentistry, she provides exceptional dental care and maintains continuity of care as children transition to adulthood, reflecting her commitment to building trust and fostering long-term relationships with her patients.
Dr. Bailey Walker is a dedicated general dentist known for her compassionate care and patient-centered approach. With a B.Sc. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biology from Illinois State University and a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from Southern Illinois University, she combines extensive academic knowledge with hands-on expertise. Dr. Walker is pursuing a fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, underscoring her commitment to professional excellence. Her community engagement includes dental mission trips and volunteering for underserved populations. Dr. Walker’s emphasis on patient education and her caring nature foster a trusted, positive dental experience.
