Should You or Shouldn’t You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Every dentist in Scottsdale, AZ, is different. Some will recommend removing your wisdom teeth regardless of whether they might cause you problems now or going forward. Dentists make this recommendation to ensure you don’t ever have any issues caused by your wisdom teeth. However, every case is different. So let’s go over when you might want to have your wisdom teeth removed and when it might be OK to leave them alone.

When You Should Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

If you have impacted wisdom teeth with any of the following signs and symptoms, your dentist will probably recommend a wisdom tooth removal in Scottsdale, AZ.

• Tooth pain.
• Repeated oral infections in the wisdom tooth area.
• Gum cysts.
• Damage to other teeth.
• Inflamed gums.
• Cavities.
• Jaw damage.
• Sinus issues.
• Tooth alignment issues.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth without Symptoms

Your periodontist in Scottsdale, AZ, will perform a dental exam and dental X-rays to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth. They will look for the following signs that you might have an impacted wisdom tooth, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

• Swollen gums around your jaw.
• Jaw pain.
• Bad breath.
• Bleeding gums.
• Difficulty opening your mouth.
• Bad taste in your mouth.

The Different Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

There are six different types of impacted wisdom teeth. Mesial, vertical, horizontal, distal, bony, or soft tissue impaction. So your periodontist will examine your teeth and then talk with you about which of these impactions relate to your situation. They will then discuss with you what needs to be done to correct it.

When Wisdom Teeth Might Not Need to Be Removed

Some dentists believe that if your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you any problems or are not likely to cause problems in the future, they don’t need to be removed.

However, before deciding, your dentist will look to see if your wisdom teeth are healthy, if they have grown in completely (erupted), if they are positioned properly, aren’t currently causing any bite problems, and if they are in a position to where they can be easily cleaned. If all these things check out, you might not need to have your wisdom teeth removed.

Do You Need a Dentist in Scottsdale, AZ?

If you need a dentist in Scottsdale, AZ, please Contact Dr. Pete Mellas Periodontist, today. We employ a standard of excellence that starts with building a foundation of trust with our patients and then providing them with a relaxing and positive experience.