Most adults develop 32 natural teeth and the last four to erupt through your gums are third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth. Yet, often these molars don’t break through the gums, or they develop on an angle, sometimes even perpendicular to the rest of your molars.
For some, there’s just not enough room for these teeth without causing a range of oral health problems. The team at Lee Dental in Frisco, Texas, led by Dr. Julie Lee and Dr. Clyde Lee, specializes in wisdom teeth, whether you extract or keep these extra molars.
What is the right age for wisdom teeth removal? It’s a question many patients have, particularly before their third molars begin to cause discomfort or other dental issues. Ultimately, the right age is your choice, so we’ve prepared this month’s blog to help you be informed.
Third molars are often considered vestigial, parts of the body that aren’t necessary, but that haven’t yet disappeared through the evolutionary process.
Our ancestors needed additional molars for crushing and chewing hard or tough foods in a way that’s no longer necessary since the invention of knives and cooking methods to soften food into smaller pieces. Compared to ancient times, contemporary digestion starts in the kitchen rather than the mouth.
Today, these extra molars often create problems like crowding or impaction when they remain trapped in bone or gum tissue. Removing wisdom teeth eliminates more problems than the teeth can cause.
Teeth can be extracted at any age, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the same experience in terms of treatment and recovery. It’s common to schedule wisdom teeth removal in early adulthood, and rather than a simple rite of passage, there are solid reasons why the ages of about 15 to 22 make the best time for extraction.
Usually, by the age of 15 or 16, your mouth has matured sufficiently. Dental imaging can determine potential issues with the third molars.
Before your 22nd birthday, the roots of your teeth aren’t quite fully developed and the density of your jaw hasn’t reached its hardest point. These factors combine to make extraction easier.
As a patient, you’ll benefit with quicker recovery from extraction surgery, though much depends on the condition of the wisdom teeth and how badly they’re impacted.
Leaving extraction until later in life generally makes the procedure more difficult, with a longer recovery time. That’s why we may suggest extracting your wisdom teeth before they become symptomatic.
Every patient is different, so it’s important to discuss your case with our team before making a decision. Contact Lee Dental by phone or online to schedule your consultation today.
