Wisdom teeth are back molars on the top and bottom of both sides that are the last adult teeth to emerge in your mouth. Most people do not have enough room in their jaws to accommodate wisdom teeth without resulting in the shifting of their other teeth, leading to a variety of complications. Hence, it is common for Dr. Segui and her associates to recommend wisdom teeth extraction surgery.
Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of 32 teeth to erupt (surface) in the mouth, generally making their appearance between the ages of 17 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth (top and bottom), near the entrance to the throat. The term “wisdom” stems from the idea that the molars surface at a time typically associated with increased maturity or “wisdom”.
In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage to other teeth, and possibly cysts or tumors.
There are several types, or degrees, of impaction based on the actual depth of the teeth within the jaw:
Soft Tissue Impaction: The upper portion of the tooth (the crown) has penetrated through the bone, but the gingiva (gum) is covering part or all of the tooth’s crown and has not positioned properly around the tooth. Because it is difficult to keep the area clean, food can become trapped below the gum and cause an infection and/or tooth decay, resulting in pain and swelling.
Partial Bony Impaction: The tooth has partially erupted, but a portion of the crown remains submerged below the gum and surrounding jawbone. Again, because it is difficult to keep the area clean, infection will commonly occur.
Complete Bony Impaction: The tooth is completely encased by jawbone. This will require more complex removal techniques.
While not all wisdom teeth require removal, wisdom teeth extractions are most often performed because of an active problem such as pain, swelling, decay or infection, or as a preventative measure to avoid serious problems in the future. If impaction of one or more wisdom teeth is present, and left untreated, a number of potentially harmful outcomes can occur, including:
Wisdom teeth examination
As with any dental procedure, Dr. Isabelle Segui and her associates will want to initially conduct a thorough examination of the wisdom and surrounding teeth. Panoramic or dental X-rays will be taken in order for your dentist to evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and determine if a current problem exists, or the likelihood of any potential future problems. The X-rays can also expose additional risk factors, such as deterioration or decay of nearby teeth. Early evaluation and treatment (typically in the mid-teen years) is recommended in order to identify potential problems and to improve the results for patients requiring wisdom teeth extractions. Only after a thorough examination can your dentist provide you with the best options for your particular case.
What does the removal of wisdom teeth involve?
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure, generally performed under local anesthesia, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia by a specially trained dentist in an office surgery suite. The surgery does not require an overnight stay, and you will be released with post-operative instructions and medication (if necessary), to help manage any swelling or discomfort.
No, but most people do. From time to time, doctors see a patient whose wisdom teeth appear to have fit nicely in the mouth and thus don’t need removal, but they are still prone to disease and must be monitored for life.
Between the ages of 17-25, before the roots have fully developed and entwined themselves in the nerves located in the jawbone, making removal much more complicated.
Sometimes we only need to remove one or two, and sometimes three or four. We will assess your case thoroughly to determine the best course of action.
Most often, yes! The length of your procedure depends on the amount of teeth we are removing, the severity of impaction and several other factors. However, the typical extraction does take less than an hour, and we will keep you comfortable the whole time.
The first day of your recovery you will probably be too sleepy to do much, but most patients are back to their normal activities within 3-4 days.
During the procedure, you won’t feel a thing. However, you may have soreness for a few days following the surgery as the anesthesia wears off. We will discuss pain control methods and set you up with any necessary prescriptions ahead of time so that you remain comfortable at home as well.
We have a variety of levels of anesthesia to accommodate different patients’ needs. We will discuss your anesthesia preferences prior to your surgery day.
Impacted wisdom teeth are those that are not able to fully erupt through the gums. It is a very common condition, and the number one reason that wisdom teeth end up needing removal. In fact, 9 out of 10 people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.
Dry socket is a temporary complication that arises when a blood clot becomes dislodged from the extraction site, exposing tissue. The condition can be painful, but luckily most cases can be avoided by following home-care instructions including the avoidance of straws and smoking.
At COSMO DENTAL, led by Dr. Segui and her skilled team, we provide expert dental care in a warm and welcoming environment.
With clinics in Quezon City and Makati, we offer a full range of services—from routine check-ups and preventive care to advanced cosmetic and restorative treatments.
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