You may be wise like an owl when buying potato chips but are you wise about your wisdom teeth?

Many believe their teeth may have intelligence as in your wisdom teeth but they are really just third molars. Evolutionarily your third molars exist as a replacement for your anterior teeth being worn down. Back in the day the food humans ate was not processed as in rocks, stones, sand and dirt was included in your diet. A person’s teeth wore down more quickly and by the age of nineteen there was the room and need for additional teeth. The arrival of your third molars helped to relieve the situation and provided you with additional aid in mastication of food.

Today many individuals do not have the room for third molars to erupt and need to see an oral surgeon for their removal. If the wisdom tooth is fully encased in your jaw bone generally there is no problem. But, if they are partially exposed in your mouth or are growing diagonally or sideways they need to be removed.

Several decades ago wisdom teeth were retained by dentists as an additional tooth to be used if the individual lost some posterior teeth. The tooth was used as an anchor for a fixed bridge or as an abutment for a removable partial.

Today, with the advent of implants the retention of third molars is no longer necessary. Most individual should have their third molars removed when they are 15 years old meaning the determination of their removal is left up to your parents.

Patients who have undergone orthodontics to straighten their teeth as a child should have had their wisdom teeth removed prior to undergoing orthodontic treatment or definitely right after the completion of the orthodontics.

The advantage of removal at a young age is that the teeth have not yet developed their legs or roots so they are basically marbles and easier to remove. Also the bone of the jaw is more pliable and the patient generally heals much quicker.

The problem of retaining the wisdom teeth into adulthood is at a later age if they need to be removed the patient may have medical complications such as being on a blood thinners. It then becomes trickier to remove the tooth. Also once the person is into adulthood the teeth now have legs or roots and are much larger. Sometimes over time the teeth ankylose or cement to your jaw meaning they have to be cut out.

The good news is after removal of wisdom teeth patients do not report any lose of wisdom.

If you are having problems with your wisdom teeth or you are just in a need of a cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we’ll be happy to meet and greet. At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we care about your teeth but more importantly we care about you.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84 th and 85 th streets in Yorkville. We are on the second floor of a five story brownstone directly across from our very own Mickey Dees. The Q, 4,5, and 6 subway lines are one block away and the third avenue bus stop is also a block from the practice.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!