Common Reasons for Having Wisdom Teeth Removed
Wisdom teeth are often a rite of passage into adulthood. The reason for having the 3rd molars removed will vary from person to person. Our New York City oral surgeon frequently performs wisdom tooth removal for situations such as:
Pain and/or Swelling
Do you notice discomfort or swelling at the back of your mouth or in your jaws? Does it seem to come and go? Your wisdom teeth could be the cause. Most people tend to find that the pain just will not go away unless we remove the teeth altogether.
Impacted (Misaligned) Wisdom Teeth
Depending on your oral anatomy, your jaws may not have any room for the wisdom teeth to properly erupt. Or, the teeth are growing at an odd angle that prevents them from erupting at all.
In many situations, the wisdom tooth will only partially erupt. When that’s the case, we often see that the tooth develops cavities or gum disease around it because of how challenging it is to clean. If we see an infected wisdom tooth, it is almost always in your best interest to have it removed as opposed to trying to keep the tooth healthy for decades to come.
Pressure on Adjacent Teeth
As your wisdom teeth form, they can start to push against the teeth next to them If you’ve worn braces, one of the first things that you might notice is how your front teeth are starting to crowd together again. The pressure could even damage, or in rare cases kill the healthy tooth next to your developing molar.
At Park Avenue Oral and Facial Surgery, our board-certified oral surgeon has removed thousands of wisdom teeth in NYC. We also provide safe and gentle sedation options to help you relax through the procedure. Schedule your consultation with our New York City wisdom tooth specialist today to learn more.