Reasons we may recommend tooth extraction for Scarborough area patients

Teeth continue to erupt well into the teen years. The third set of molars to grow in were dubbed “wisdom teeth” many, many years ago due to the teen years being known as the “Age of Wisdom” at one point in time. Although we like to preserve natural tooth structure as much as possible, there are reasons that wisdom tooth extraction may be recommended. In order to manage healthy smiles, we begin monitoring the growth of these teeth early rather than wait for them to make their appearance in the smile. If you live in the Scarborough, Pickering, or North York area, schedule your dental checkup with our friendly team.

In some cases, third molars may grow in without obstruction. Much of the time, however, there are complications with these teeth that warrant their removal. Impaction is one of the most common problems we see with wisdom teeth, affecting nearly nine in ten patients.

Hearing that your dentist wants to remove wisdom teeth may come as a surprise, especially if you are experiencing no clear issues with these teeth at the moment. It seems reasonable to assume that the absence of pain would mean third molars are in good condition to grow in. The fact is, however, that pain is often the last sign of a dental problem! The dentists at Esquire Dental Centres watch the growth of wisdom teeth via x-rays and schedule removal if necessary.

Some of the reasons that wisdom teeth need to be removed include:

• Teeth have become impacted, or trapped beneath the gums
• One or more wisdom teeth have grown in only partially
• Developed wisdom teeth have sustained extensive damage from decay
• There is a threat to adjacent teeth from a sideways-growing tooth
• Periodontal disease or another type of infection has developed

In some situations, it is possible to simply “watch and wait.” When wisdom teeth have the room to grow in fully and are managed with routine oral hygiene, removal is not a pressing concern. Your dentist, assessing the growth and maintenance of wisdom teeth, will explain the potential problems and proposed treatment based on your unique needs.

We work carefully and gently to make wisdom teeth removal a comfortable, stress-free process for each of our patients. Contact Esquire Dental Centres to learn more about the extraction procedure or to schedule your visit.