What Can Happen If an Impacted Wisdom Tooth if Left Untreated?
By George Hurwitz | Published on September 13, 2011 | 0 Comments
For most patients, the ideal time to have wisdom teeth removed is during their late teen years. Hesitating and delaying on the removal of wisdom teeth past this time puts patients in danger, and could make the removal process more painful or difficult when that time eventually does come. The reason for this, according to Columbia, MD, oral surgeon Dr. George A. Hurwitz, DDS, PA, is two-fold.
First and foremost, Dr. Hurwitz explains that the longer a wisdom tooth is allowed to remain in the jaw, the higher the likelihood that it will become impacted. Once a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, it needs to be taken out right away. If not, that impaction can cause damage to the adjacent teeth, dental crowding, and chronic infections. The Columbia, MD, oral surgeon explains that a chronic infection in the mouth could lead to swelling and pain around the affected area.
The second reason why it pays to get wisdom teeth removed sooner rather than later has to do with age and the way that the body heals as people get older. Patients in their late teens have the highest success rates when it comes to wisdom tooth extractions, in part because of their fast healing response times.
As people get older, it takes longer for their bodies to heal. On top of that, the wisdom teeth are given more time to form. This often makes them harder to remove and makes the extraction process significantly more complicated. This, explains the Columbia, MD, oral surgeon, is why older patients have a higher complication rate than younger patients when it comes to wisdom tooth extractions.
To avoid these issues altogether, Dr. Hurwitz strongly advises people to get their wisdom teeth removed as soon as their dentists recommend the procedure. Most people’s dentists will notice when their wisdom teeth are beginning to come in and form, and this is the point when their general dentists will recommend seeing an oral surgeon for further advice.
Most general dentists are usually more than happy to offer recommendations and referrals to oral surgeons with good reputations who have done work on their patients before. If a patient’s general dentist has not brought up wisdom teeth by the time he reaches his late teens, then Dr. Hurwitz would recommend bringing the topic up and finding out what the dentist recommends.
The takeaway point, explains the Columbia, MD, oral surgeon, is that patients should be getting their wisdom teeth evaluated and possibly removed before they reach their twenties. The earlier a person has this procedure performed, the smoother the process will most likely be.
Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: 443-291-9572
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.