Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Not everyone will need their wisdom teeth extracted, but it's a common dental procedure for many people as they reach their 20's. In fact, wisdom teethit's estimated that about 85% of people will have their wisdom teeth removed. At Arbor Hills Dental in Newburg, Oregon, Dr. Angela Toy and her team carefully evaluate each of our patients' dental health to determine the best and most beneficial treatments. If you still have your wisdom teeth, you might wonder when and if you'll need them removed. You've come to the right place to learn more!

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are so named because they tend to come in during the early twenties, a time when you've had some real-world experience from which to gain wisdom. They are positioned at the back of your mouth and are often very large. Some anthropologists speculate that wisdom teeth were a useful part of prehistorical people's anatomy; they needed more teeth with which to chew their diet of meat and raw plants and vegetables. Over time, humans' skulls and jaws have become smaller and many do not have room for their wisdom teeth to grow in properly. This could help explain why wisdom tooth removal is so common today.

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

If wisdom teeth have come in straight and complete, they may not require removal. However, this is not the case for many of your Newburg dentist's patients. Oftentimes the wisdom teeth will only come in partially, leaving spaces under the gums to trap food and lead to infection. They may even be unable to emerge at all, often causing painful cysts to develop around them. Their unusual grown patterns can also cause your other teeth to shift out of place, which could lead to crookedness or other problems. An X-ray taken during an examination can help Dr. Toy determine if wisdom tooth removal can help you.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Angela Toy regarding your wisdom teeth or any other dental procedure in Newburg, Oregon, contact Arbor Hills Dental today!

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