Third Molars: Guide To Treatment
Most people have heard of third molars, but many do not have a full understanding of what exactly they are and when they become problematic.
Third molars – otherwise referred to as “wisdom teeth” – are essentially the third set of molars in our teeth, and they can cause dental concerns if they grow in incorrectly.
Third Molar Treatment
In the event there is an ample amount of space in a person’s mouth and the third molars grow in straight, they do not pose much of a threat to oral health. However, third molars have a tendency to grow in crooked, pushing up against other teeth and causing crowding and pain in the affected area.
When visiting a dentist for third molar treatment, the dentist is likely to diagnose and determine the best form of treatment for the third molars.
Diagnosis for third molars
When visiting the dentist to determine whether or not third molars are problematic, the dentist is likely to use a number of different diagnostic procedures to determine if the third molars pose a threat.
First and foremost, the dentist may ask a series of questions to get a gauge for the current symptoms and complications the third molars are causing and then proceed into conducting a thorough oral examination of the third molars. In most cases, a dental X-ray is used to determine if the third molars are impacted and whether or not any damage has been done to surrounding teeth.
Based on all the information, the dentist gives a diagnosis and recommended treatment for the third molars.
Treatment options for third molars
The treatment options for third molars are relatively clear-cut and straightforward; either have the third molars removed or do not have the third molars removed.
In the event the third molars are growing incorrectly and do not pose a threat to other teeth or general oral health – such as crowding, pressure placed upon other teeth and gum issues – the third molars may not need to be removed. In some cases, the pain caused by third molars can simply be attributed to the fact that they are breaking through, causing pain as they do so. However, it is important to keep a close eye on the wisdom teeth and manage the symptoms if they do not need to be extracted.
On the other hand, third molars that pose a risk to someone’s oral health in any manner may need to be removed. In some cases, especially in individuals under the age of twenty, the dentist may recommend having the third molars removed to prevent future complications as the patient grows older.
What to expect during surgery
Although third molar removal does require surgery, it is not too invasive. However, there is a significant level of discomfort for up to a week after the surgical procedure.
The dentist is likely to give a set of detailed instructions to follow after the surgery, which include various ways to cope with the residual pain, prevent an infection from developing and make eating as effortless as possible until a full recovery has been made.
Go to for third molars information or call Gilroy Dental Associates at (408) 842-2818.
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