Despite their name, wisdom teeth usually only cause trouble. As the final set of molars to grow into the mouth, wisdom teeth rarely have the room they need to fit with other teeth comfortably. If wisdom teeth aren’t removed shortly after they appear during a patient’s teen years or early twenties, they often become impacted in the gums or force other teeth into misalignment. To avoid misery with your own wisdom teeth, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a set of molars located in the back of the mouth. They usually grow last and don’t appear until your late teens or early twenties. Though some people are lucky enough not to experience any problems with their wisdom teeth, the majority of people need them removed to avoid serious problems like crowding, damage to nearby teeth, infection, and decay.

Do You Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?

If you receive regular dental checkups every six months, your dentist will use periodic X-rays to check the status of your wisdom teeth. Most dentists suggest wisdom teeth removal before a problem even forms in order to eliminate the potential of a more painful and complex procedure down the road. Proactive removal is recommended since wisdom teeth are easier to extract before their roots have fully developed.

However, it’s possible that you will also notice signs that your wisdom teeth are getting ready to cause trouble. You may start to experience pain in your jaw, irritation in the back of your mouth, crowding of your teeth, or frequent infection. [Read more…]

Modern dental innovations make it easier than ever to replace damaged or missing teeth with replacements that look and feel completely natural, but your dentist will always strive to save your natural teeth when possible.

There are three main benefits that real teeth offer, and it’s wise to protect them if you can!

Minimize Bone Loss

As soon as a tooth is removed, the jaw bone loses stimulation in that area. Every time you chew, talk, or bite, your teeth send vibrations to your jaw bone that stimulate regeneration and support ongoing bone health. Of course, missing teeth cannot perform that function.

Your dentist will work hard to save your natural teeth before removing or extracting them in order to preserve as much jaw bone strength as possible. The effects of jaw bone loss include sunken cheeks, misaligned bite, change in facial appearance, and difficulty chewing and talking. [Read more…]

You only get one set of real teeth, so it makes sense to do everything possible to preserve and protect your teeth. However, there does come a point for some people when extraction is a better option than trying to save an extremely damaged natural tooth.

If you are suffering from a decaying, broken, or otherwise troubling tooth, this guide will help you identify whether extraction might be your best choice.

Should You Save Your Tooth With a Root Canal?

A root canal can be used to save your damaged tooth and keep it in position. This procedure works by removing the infected inner pulp, cleaning the inner chamber, and sealing your tooth off from bacteria.

It’s true that a root canal will keep your natural tooth in place, but it can only be done if your tooth is salvageable. If your tooth has sustained severe and extensive damage, saving it from infection may not be enough. In this case, extraction is the best option. [Read more…]

Your permanent teeth are meant to fulfill their functions throughout your entire adult life, but that is not always the reality. If your oral health has been compromised by a broken, decaying, and damaged tooth, you have a few options to eliminate your pain and restore your dental wellness. It is possible that your tooth could be treated with a root canal in order to keep that tooth in your mouth without further damage. If a root canal is not a plausible option, you may need to have your tooth extracted.

When Can a Root Canal Save a Tooth?

A root canal is often necessary when a tooth becomes deeply infected and inflamed due to dental decay. A root canal prevents further damage by removing the infected nerve and pulp out of the center of the tooth. Once that soft tissue is removed, your dentist cleans the space, fills it with a material called gutta percha, and seals the top to prevent bacteria from entering. [Read more…]