Why some wisdom teeth need to be removed?

We often get asked question about wisdom teeth and whether all the wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Not all the wisdom teeth cause problems and hence all wisdom teeth do not require removal. However it is also quite common to find wisdom teeth causing problems while they are erupting usually due to insufficient space or improper angulations causing impaction against the last molars in the mouth.

The picture below shows a typical problem of an impacted lower wisdom tooth that can cause problems if not addressed early. The wisdom tooth here is unable to erupt properly in the mouth due to improper angulation and also possible lack of space for it to erupt.

The black arrow in the picture points to the area where food can be trapped and cause cavities (not only on the wisdom tooth but also on the tooth in front). The red arrow points to an area where food can be trapped between the wisdom tooth and the gum covering the tooth and can cause inflammation or infection in the gums (known as pericoronitis).

Usual discomfort while wisdom teeth are erupting is common, but it is important to get them assessed by a Dentist to make sure they are erupting properly and not likely to cause issues in future!