Your wisdom teeth may not be a problem now, but they could become problematic in the future. A thorough dental examination, including xrays, by your dentist in Fort Lauderdale is necessary to diagnose whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed. Some people experience pain while their wisdom teeth are erupting, particularly if they do not come in straight. If wisdom teeth come in at an angle, they can press against adjacent teeth, causing pain and discomfort due to pressure on those teeth. Additionally, impacted, or partially erupted, wisdom teeth can leave a small pocket between the partially erupted tooth and the gum where bacteria and food debri can accumulate causing possible cavities or even infection.
If you or your young adult has had or is the process of having orthodontic treatment, traditionally called braces, to straighten teeth, monitoring the condition of the wisdom teeth is a must. Wisdom teeth can cause other teeth to shift and possibly result in the need for addtional orthodontic treatment to straighten the teeth.
As wisdom teeth normally appear between the ages of 16 and 25, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends having your wisdom teeth extraction in young adulthood. As we age, our bone becomes more dense resulting in more difficult and riskier extraction for older patients. Because most patients having their wisdom teeth extracted are young adults, winter break is a perfect opportunity to schedule this procedure. The break from classes will allow the needed time for recovery.
Many people are apprehensive about wisdom teeth extraction, but the surgical procedure is made easier with sedation dentistry. IV sedation makes the patient more comfortable and relaxed during the dental procedure. IV sedation involves administering an anti-anxiety medication through IV directly into the bloodstream. It is the most safe and predictable sedation technique used in dentistry.
To schedule time for an examination to determine if your young adult needs their wisdom teeth extracted, call the office of Dr. Gerard Wasselle and Dr. Nancy Rotroff at 954-928-1666. We are conveniently located at 2480 E Commercial Blvd.
