Many people need to have their wisdom teeth removed—but they don’t actually learn much about the procedure until they find themselves in the dentist’s chair. The staff at Four Corners Dental Group in Anchorage, Alaska, believes in educating patients about dental care in a friendly and open manner. These expert dentists are dedicated to putting their patients first, which is why they’ve created this guide to frequently asked questions about wisdom teeth.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a final set of molars that most people get in their teens or early twenties. For some people, wisdom teeth can grow in normally. More often, however, wisdom teeth emerge crooked. As a result, wisdom teeth can overcrowd the mouth, potentially damaging other teeth and pushing them out of alignment. This can ruin a straight smile, and even worse, it can cause serious damage to your jawbone and nerves.

Why Do Dentists Sometimes Remove Wisdom Teeth?

If wisdom teeth are poorly aligned as described above, it’s best to remove them. In some cases, wisdom teeth may also be impacted, which means they remain enclosed within the soft tissue or the jawbone and emerge only partially through the gums. So-called partial eruption allows for bacteria to easily enter the area around the tooth—posing a danger for infection, pain, and swelling. Additionally, because these teeth are hard to reach and clean properly, they are more prone to tooth decay. In such cases, removal is also recommended.

Do Your Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed?

First, you need to know if you have wisdom teeth or not! Your dentist will need to perform an X-ray to determine whether you need to have wisdom teeth removal. If necessary, your dentist may send you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation. Some lucky people don’t even have a full set of wisdom teeth—or any at all!

Removal is easier in young people, when the wisdom teeth roots are less developed. If you suspect that you or your teen needs wisdom tooth removal, don’t hesitate. Four Corners Dental Group offers affordable dental care to the Anchorage and Wasilla areas. Visit their website or call (907) 258-3384 to make an appointment with the dentist.