WHY MIGHT I NEED MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?

With proper care of the smile, most patients will not need to experience the extraction of an adult tooth. However, there are some teeth that are known for becoming problematic and often require removal in most individuals. These teeth are the wisdom teeth, or the third molars. The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop in the mouth, and often emerge around the mid to late teen years in most situations. However, there is often not enough room for these teeth to erupt through the gumline, causing them to become impacted—and painful. Impacted teeth are trapped under the gumline, and some turn towards the adjacent teeth and push, causing a variety of other concerns. Because of this, many patients may need to see Dr. Darren Gonzalez of Santa Rosa, California to have their teeth removed.

Why do I need to remove my wisdom teeth?

Most patients have four wisdom teeth—one in each back corner of the mouth. These teeth, even if they do erupt through the gumline, can be difficult to clean because of their location. This puts the smile at risk for cavities and periodontal disease. There are many reasons why a patient might choose to have wisdom teeth extracted:

• Overcrowding in the smile
• To avoid damage to adjacent teeth
• Impaction
• To protect orthodontic work
• Cyst formation
• Infection/disease
• Tooth decay

The dentist will evaluate a patient’s smile and overall health to make a determination if extraction is needed.

What types of extraction are available?

There are two types of wisdom tooth extractions including simple extraction and surgical extraction. A wisdom tooth that has erupted through the gumline can be removed with simple extraction, where the dentist uses a special instrument to remove the tooth from the jawbone. Teeth beneath the gumline will require surgical extraction, which is more invasive and often requires longer healing and recovery times.

Learn more about the wisdom teeth

If you reside in the area of Santa Rosa, California and want to speak with Dr. Darren Gonzalez about the possibility of removing your wisdom teeth, contact his office by calling (707) 542-1532. The office is located at 1515 Montgomery Drive and accepts new patients and families.