Third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth, usually develop at the very back of the mouth.
Some wisdom teeth erupt normally and remain healthy. Others become partially erupted, impacted, difficult to clean, painful, infected, or positioned in a way that threatens neighboring structures.
At John E. Sullivan DDS, P.C., wisdom teeth are evaluated clinically and radiographically before treatment is recommended.
Panoramic imaging is frequently used to evaluate the position of the teeth and roots.
In selected cases, 3D CBCT imaging can provide additional information about the relationship between the tooth and important anatomical structures.
Potential reasons for removing a wisdom tooth include:
Not every wisdom tooth automatically requires extraction. The decision is based upon the patient’s age, anatomy, symptoms, disease risk, and radiographic findings.
When removal is indicated, local anesthesia is used and surgical techniques are selected according to the position of the tooth.
Post-operative instructions are provided to support appropriate healing and reduce the risk of complications.