What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

wisdom teeth Kelowna

Evolution isn’t always tidy and linear. For example, we have smaller jaws than our ancestors thousands of years ago, but most of our bodies haven’t adapted by generating fewer teeth. Two-thirds of us produce the same amount of teeth as early humans. These late-developing extra molars are called wisdom teeth and they pose unique oral problems. Luckily, Love Your Smile can safely take care of your wisdom teeth.

When a wisdom tooth tries to come in but is obstructed by the adjacent tooth, it becomes impacted and can result in:

It’s hard to clean partially erupted wisdom teeth. Since they have a high risk of tooth decay, dentists pay special attention to them. They can also cause cavities in the neighboring molars.

If they are causing issues, your dentist will recommend they be removed. Your dentist may also recommend extraction to prevent future dilemmas.

It is estimated that 85% of wisdom teeth need to be removed. Wisdom tooth extraction is a routine outpatient procedure. Most patients experience minimal pain and recover in a few days.

If your high-schooler still has their wisdom teeth and is going away to college this fall, we recommend an exam before they leave. You don’t want the teeth to start hurting them when they are away from their regular dentist or have them miss class to get them removed.

To schedule an exam and X-rays, call us at 250-860-8900.

CONTACT LOVE YOUR SMILE – DR. STEPHEN MALFAIR:

778-760-2099

LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7


Be Wise About Your Wisdom Teeth

Be Wise About Your Wisdom Teeth, Kelowna

In this post from Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we will be discussing the often misunderstood subject of wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are sometimes called the third molars because they are even farther back in the mouth than the two sets of regular molars we all have. These four teeth usually erupt when a person is eighteen or nineteen.

Many dentists recommend that wisdom teeth be removed to prevent misplacement in the mouth.

If a wisdom tooth doesn’t fully erupt, it may cause an opening in the gums that can attract bacteria and become infected. Some wisdom teeth are so misplaced that they can actually cause problems with the jaw bone. Both of these conditions can cause severe pain.

If you are in the Kelowna area and are wondering if your wisdom teeth need to be removed, call Love Your Smile to schedule an appointment. We can assess the condition and placement of your wisdom teeth and discuss a treatment plan. We also offer general dentistry services. Make an appointment today.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

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Wisdom Teeth Trouble? Removal in Kelowna

Wisdom teeth are the last of the molars (grinding teeth) to erupt from the gum. They usually appear in the late teens and early twenties. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, wisdom teeth removal is common.

Wisdom teeth, unfortunately, become a problem for most of us. Not removing them can lead to painful complications, such as a poor bite and, in more extreme cases, tumors and infections. If your wisdom teeth are troubling you, it’s best to remove them.

Common Issues
Wisdom teeth might grow in at an inward or outward angle, or be positioned too horizontally. They often become impacted, which means they have grown into the gums or jawbone. Any of these complications can be painful, and result in the need for an extraction.

Any kind of extraction can be a scary idea, but understanding the how and why of what’s going on usually goes a long way toward alleviating stress. Once you have had your wisdom teeth extracted, there is usually a recovery time. The length of the recovery depends on the severity of the problem. We provide each of our patients with instructions on how best to recover.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we provide wisdom teeth extractions. For difficult cases, or for patients with dental anxiety, we offer sedation dentistry to get you through it. We also provide general and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7