If you are wondering what a wisdom tooth is, we can give you an explanation. Wisdom teeth are the molars towards the back of the jaw and are usually the last to come in. Sometimes they grow in incorrectly, which may cause problems which can often be alleviated by their removal.
Wisdom teeth are the last of your adult teeth to grow. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25, though as you will see, they can be rather unpredictable.
Not everyone develops wisdom teeth, nor do they necessarily cause problems. They can spring up and act like any of your other molars. However, malfunctions can occur, and that can lead to having to remove them.
Sometimes the wisdom teeth have little room to grow in. Often when this happens, they come in at odd angles. They can grow towards or away from your other teeth, grow sideways, or they can become trapped in your jawbone.
Conditions like that can cause discomfort, infections, or cysts in those areas. They can also make it difficult to perform straightening treatments on your other teeth or cause damage to the jaw bone.
If you struggle with any of these things, we can remove the wisdom teeth for you. If not, then removal may not be necessary. You need not feel forced into this. Of course, having a dentist observe the teeth may help you know more certainly.
We at Village Pointe Oral Surgery can provide some expert advice on this subject if you would like to discuss it further. You can find us in Omaha, Nebraska, and call us at 402-317-5657. Our very own dentist, Dr. Michael Shnayder can help you in this case.