Top Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

At Four Corners Dental Group, led by Dr. Pete Higgins, our team often handles cases related to wisdom teeth, also known as third molars. During the early stages of adulthood, these teeth usually erupt. However, they may fail to fully erupt or produce an effect, necessitating their removal. Recognizing specific signs can help indicate the need for wisdom teeth extraction and prevent potential complications.

Pain and Discomfort:

If your dentist found persistent or severe discomfort in the back of your mouth or jaw as one of the key indicators that your wisdom teeth may need to be removed. This might involve a constant dull ache or a sharp, intermittent pain. You may also experience difficulty opening or closing your mouth due to swelling or stiffness.

Infection or Inflammation:

When wisdom teeth erupt at an irregular angle or become impacted, the gums surrounding them may become inflamed, swollen, or sensitive. These symptoms may indicate an infection. 

Impaction:

Sometimes, wisdom teeth do not have enough room to grow properly, leading them to become impacted. This condition can cause pressure on neighboring teeth, resulting in pain, misalignment, or resorption of tooth roots.

Damage to Adjacent Teeth:

Impacted wisdom teeth can push against neighboring molars, potentially causing cavities, root damage, or periodontitis (gum disease).

Overcrowding:

Wisdom teeth, as we’ve seen in our clinic, can contribute to back-of-the-mouth overcrowding. This can make it harder to maintain good oral hygiene and raise the likelihood of dental disorders.

Other Signs:

You might experience frequent episodes of gum disease or abscesses around the wisdom tooth, or difficulty eating or chewing due to obstruction by the wisdom tooth. A family history of severe complications related to wisdom teeth can also be an indication of potential issues.

You might also experience sinus issues such as pressure, pain, congestion, or sinusitis, which could be caused by problems with your wisdom teeth.

At Four Corners Dental Group, we believe it’s important to note that not all wisdom teeth require removal and sometimes there might be no symptoms at all, even though the wisdom teeth need to be removed. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, we recommend that you see Dr. Higgins or a member of our staff for regular check-ups, evaluations, and treatment recommendations.

These teeth, also known as third molars, are the last to develop and appear, usually during late adolescence or early adulthood. While they can serve as valuable assets when healthy and correctly positioned, it is not uncommon for these teeth to pose problems, leading to discomfort that can range from mild to severe.

The type of pain experienced from problematic wisdom teeth can greatly vary, and it often depends on the particular issue at hand. This discomfort can be caused by the pressure exerted by impacted wisdom teeth against adjacent teeth or bone, resulting in a dull, aching pain or a throbbing sensation at the back of the mouth. This pain can intensify during chewing or biting and may even extend to the jaw and ear due to shared nerve pathways.

Dr. Higgins and his staff at Four Corners Dental Group are well-equipped to identify and treat such problems, ensuring that you receive the appropriate care for your individual condition. They also address instances where pain is sharp and sudden, caused by the nerve supply to the wisdom tooth being irritated. Such episodes are often triggered by contact with hot or cold food and drinks.

In some situations, impacted wisdom teeth can become infected, causing pericoronitis. This illness is marked by significant discomfort, sensitivity, and difficulty opening the mouth, as well as inflammation and edema of the surrounding tissues. Dr. Higgins is experienced in treating such infections, preventing the condition from escalating into something more serious like an abscess.

In addition to physical pain, problematic wisdom teeth can cause persistent headaches due to the pressure and inflammation caused by these teeth on surrounding structures. If you’re experiencing chronic pain affecting your daily life, it’s important to seek professional help. Dr. Higgins and his team at Four Corners Dental Group are dedicated to providing you with effective solutions for your dental issues, ensuring your overall well-being and quality of life.

At Four Corners Dental Group, Dr. Pete Higgins and his experienced team understand the potential problems that can arise from the growth and eruption of wisdom teeth. Third molars, or wisdom teeth, frequently do not have enough room to grow normally, which can cause several issues with dental health.

Problems Caused by Wisdom Teeth:

Wisdom teeth becoming impacted can result in bite disturbances, causing other teeth to shift, leading to malocclusion. This improper alignment can disrupt the way your teeth meet when you bite down, causing difficulties in chewing or speaking.

Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause jaw pain, headaches, and sinus problems. The pressure exerted on the jawbone and nerves can contribute to these issues, which can disrupt your daily activities and overall well-being.

Wisdom teeth partial eruption can result in spaces where food and germs can gather, causing cavities and tooth decay. Wisdom teeth can also make it more difficult to maintain good dental hygiene, increasing the risk of gum disease and tissue damage.

Overall, impacted wisdom teeth can negatively impact your oral health, serving as a reservoir for bacteria and causing potential infection and inflammation throughout the mouth. They can also disrupt your bite, leading to premature wear of your teeth, tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw problems like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Solutions Offered by Dr. Pete Higgins:

Dr. Pete Higgins and his team at Four Corners Dental Group offer various treatment options to address the issues caused by wisdom teeth:

• Wisdom tooth extraction: Dr. Higgins is skilled at removing impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth to prevent or treat complications.
• Bite adjustment: Dr. Higgins can reshape or realign your teeth to improve the bite pattern.
• Orthodontic treatment: Four Corners Dental Group offers braces or aligners to correct malocclusion caused by wisdom teeth.

Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings, particularly during your late teens and early twenties, are essential for early detection of wisdom tooth-related issues. Dr. Higgins and his team can implement appropriate interventions to maintain your oral health and overall well-being. Even if you’re not experiencing pain, wisdom teeth could still be causing damage beneath the surface. Trust your oral health to Dr. Higgins and the team at Four Corners Dental Group.

Impaction can occur due to various factors, including small jaw size, crowding of other teeth, or irregular positioning. The impacted wisdom tooth may partially or fully remain beneath the gum, grow at an unusual angle, or even in the direction of the second molar.

Although symptoms of impaction may not always be noticeable, it’s crucial to look out for signs such as pain and discomfort, swelling and inflammation of the gums, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, bad breath, or signs of tooth decay or gum disease. If left untreated, the impacted wisdom teeth can cause severe complications like damage to adjacent teeth, cysts or tumor formation in the jawbone, tooth decay or infection, gum disease, and chronic pain.

At Four Corners Dental Group, we offer effective treatment for impacted wisdom teeth, which primarily involves surgical extraction under local anesthesia. In more complex cases where the tooth is deeply impacted or difficult to access, general anesthesia may be necessary.

Our team is committed to ensuring your oral health is in optimal condition. We encourage good oral hygiene practices, regular dental checkups, and early orthodontic intervention to address issues related to jaw size and tooth alignment, all of which can help reduce the risk of tooth impaction. Dr. Pete Higgins and our team are available to discuss the pros and cons of extraction and provide comprehensive advice tailored to your oral health needs. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3901 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502. We serve patients from Anchorage AK, Basher AK, Campbell AK, Spenard AK, Midtown AK, and surrounding areas.