Between the ages of 17 and 25, you may notice your wisdom teeth coming in. These teeth grow in the back of the mouth behind your molars, but often develop sideways or crooked, causing pain and discomfort. If your dentist has recommended removing your wisdom teeth, learn more about the reasons and methods for extraction.

When to Consider Removal

Because wisdom teeth develop over the course of several years, there isn’t a set age to have them removed. Your dentist will evaluate how much room you have in your mouth and the health of surrounding teeth.

While some people can keep their wisdom teeth, many others have them removed for a variety of reasons. One of the most common is overcrowding in the mouth. If teeth don’t have enough room to erupt, they may come out skewed or not at all, putting pressure on the surrounding teeth or even misaligning your bite. If your dentist determines you do not have enough room for these molars, they will recommend extraction.

Removal Methods

Depending on the amount of room in your mouth and the position of the wisdom teeth, the dentist may suggest pulling the molars or surgically removing them. If impaction is not a concern, the dentist can numb the areas surrounding the teeth and pull them. However, if the molars in the gums are crooked or trapped, oral surgery may be necessary. During this procedure, you may be sedated or the surgeon can numb the affected areas before making small incisions to safely remove the teeth.

If you’re experiencing pain or pressure in the back of your mouth and haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed, consult Dr. Imelda C. Tan at Zen Dental Hawaii in Honolulu. She and her team offer a comprehensive line-up of general and cosmetic dental services, including onsite wisdom teeth removal. Learn more about the services provided on their website, and call (808) 532-5888 to make an appointment.