Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, exist due to evolution. Our early ancestors had much larger mouths, were eating tougher foods, and therefore needed an extra set of molars to digest the foods that made up our diet thousands of years ago. Thanks to evolution, we no longer need this third set of molars. However, while our mouths have shrunk in size our teeth unfortunately haven’t quite caught up with us yet. As a result, these wisdom teeth usually need to be removed.
Not all individuals have all four wisdom teeth — this is where genetics comes into play. People have anywhere from 0 to 4 wisdom teeth and it all depends on how the develop and how much room you have in your mouth that determines whether or not they need to be extracted. Generally speaking, you can expect wisdom teeth to develop in your late teens or early twenties.
At All Star Dental, we use dental x-rays and visual exams to determine a few things. First, we assess how many wisdom teeth are forming. Next, we look closely at how they are developing (are they growing in such a way that they are impeding another neighboring tooth?). Finally, we give an estimated time of when they should be removed so that they don’t interfere with your jawline or bite.
Our dental offices will likely recommend students in their early college years get their wisdom teeth extracted. At this point, the jaw is fully formed and the adult teeth are less likely to shift. We recommend finding a qualified surgeon in your area for this oral surgery because if not done correctly there could be complications such as dry socket. Contact All Star Dental today to discuss with us your needs for wisdom teeth removal.
