Have you ever wondered why we have wisdom teeth? Or what an impacted wisdom tooth is? Or whether or not you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted? Then youve come to the right place. In this post, we answer these questions and more. Read on to discover everything you need to know about wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth are what the final set of molars, the teeth found at the very back of the mouth, are called. These usually first appear quite long after the rest of the adult teeth have already been established in the mouth. Most peoples wisdom teeth break through the gum line in their late teen years to early twenties and can cause varying degrees of discomfort when they do so.
Historically, our ancestors would have had use for an extra set of molars for grinding and chewing food that was raw and hard to tear. Many anthropologists believe that this is why many people still have wisdom teeth grow in, even though our consumption of food no longer requires an extra set of teeth. Some people dont get wisdom teeth at all and its theorized that this happens because we do not have evolutionary use for them any more.
Its actually a myth that all wisdom teeth grow in crookedly. There are many cases where wisdom teeth grow in perfectly straight and can contribute to the mouth as a healthy additional set ofteeth. When this happens, they dont need to be removed. Often, wisdom teeth do grow in crooked, however, and the reason depends on the specific mouth they are growing into and the genetics of each person.
When wisdom teeth grow in crooked, there is a high possibility that they can negatively affect the other teeth surrounding them. This means that the misaligned tooth could cause crowding, damage to adjacent teeth, or even jaw and nervedamage. Its best to professionally remove wisdom teeth thatpose a threat to the health of the rest of the mouth.
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that isnt able to break through the gum line because it is being blocked by another tooth or teeth. There is not enough room for the wisdom tooth to erupt, and thiscan result in great discomfort or even severe pain. If the impacted wisdom tooth does manage to push through the little space it has before it is removed, it can cause gum damage, infection, and damage to the jaw line or other teeth.
Each case is different and the simplicity of the procedure depends on how developed the tooth is, whether or not it has broken through the gum line, and how much damage it has caused to the rest of the mouth. Your dentist will describe your specific situation to you, outlining exactly what you can expect during the procedure.
Wisdom teeth that have broken through the gum line are easily extracted, which is why your dentist may choose to wait to conduct a removal until this has happened. One of the most difficult removal procedures is when the wisdom tooth is embedded in the bone as this requires the tooth to be removed in different parts. In any case, a local anaesthetic will be applied to the area of the mouth being operated on and your dentist may decide to also use sedation to keep you more comfortable.
Recovery time varies from person to person, with a full recovery taking anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. During this time, its important to follow the directions given to you by your dentist very carefully and to avoid aggravating the area or ruining stitches with harsh foods, drinks, and suction. If non-dissolving stitches are used, they will be removed approximately one week after the procedure. Your dentist will schedule a checkup with you to see how well you are healing not long after the procedure is done and will update you with your progress.
Reviews
Rating 4.3 out of 5 based on 24 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestMiguel Rodriguez
2 years ago
I brought my 7 yr old son that I have every other wknd for his 1st dental in-network visit. I made a 1:30pm Saturday appt. through Zocdoc and called at 12pm to confirm. They had apparently canceled my appt because I didn't confirm earlier and missed their call. I'm highly disappointed because my son was surprisingly excited for his 1st dental visit and I feel that they hardly made any effort to rectify this and didn't sympathize with my annoyance of the inconvenience. So they get 1 star rating from me for this!!!
richard oppenheimer
2 years ago
I just visited the office of Dr. Griesner. I consistently receive professional support from Dr. Griesner and his staff. I highly recommend Dr. Griesner for anyone who wants a good dentist.
Mikhail Aminov
2 years ago
I'm not a big fan of dentists (but who is). I've been going to Dr. Griesner since I was a child and he truly is the best Dentist out there. In fact I tell him all the time that if/when he retires I will most likely stop seeing dentists altogether. His office makes you feel like family. Recommend all my friends to go to him when they are in search of a dentist.
Mehul Dhru
2 years ago
I have been going to Dr. Greiesner since '92. His staff and him self are professional and dedicated individuals.
roxy P
2 years ago
went to DR Griesner for awhile but not so happy, hes a polite guy, but wish he was more honest with me about my teeth, but ive been going to private dentistry lately its more money but its worth it. And they said some of my cavities were drilled so many times and got very large fillings i had to get some work done. im happy that i looked for a private dentist..... everything is getting better so far.
Ariel Brown
2 years ago
My wife and I visited the office for our first time last week. We both felt Dr. Griesner and his staff were top notch. Everyone was polite and seemed to truly care about their patients. Questions on insurance coverage were handled very professionally. Excellent experience all around. We will be back.
roxy P
3 years ago
went to DR Griesner for awhile but not so happy, hes a polite guy, but wish he was more honest with me about my teeth, but ive been going to private dentistry lately its more money but its worth it. And they said some of my cavities were drilled so many times and got very large fillings i had to get some work done. im happy that i looked for a private dentist..... everything is getting better so far.
Ariel Brown
3 years ago
My wife and I visited the office for our first time last week. We both felt Dr. Griesner and his staff were top notch. Everyone was polite and seemed to truly care about their patients. Questions on insurance coverage were handled very professionally. Excellent experience all around. We will be back.
Santiago Garay
3 years ago
I have had multiple procedures here and am very happy with the results- Easy to make appointments and super friendly staff. Glad I found this place. Thanks doctor greisner!
Lynda clemmons
3 years ago
Dr. Harvey Griesner is a knowledge and skilled dentist, this couple with his pleasant demeanor makes visiting Dr. Griesner a rewarding experience. Even the fearful patient is put at ease. Michael and Lynda .
Matt Zezula
3 years ago
An unfortunately poor experience. Was told that I had 7 cavities (actually had 1, once I got a second opinion) and was overcharged during and after the treatment. An unexpected result, especially given then other reviews. Just something to keep in mind, reader.
Ariel Blondet Jr
4 years ago
Great dentist with a sense of humor. Outstanding support staff!!!
Dominic Moronta
4 years ago
Excellent dentist. Staff makes you feel like family and Dr. G takes his time to make sure everything is perfect.
Matt Zezula
4 years ago
An unfortunately poor experience. Was told that I had 7 cavities (actually had 1, once I got a second opinion) and was overcharged during and after the treatment. An unexpected result, especially given then other reviews. Just something to keep in mind, reader.
Santiago Garay
4 years ago
I have had multiple procedures here and am very happy with the results- Easy to make appointments and super friendly staff. Glad I found this place. Thanks doctor greisner!
Lynda clemmons
4 years ago
Dr. Harvey Griesner is a knowledge and skilled dentist, this couple with his pleasant demeanor makes visiting Dr. Griesner a rewarding experience. Even the fearful patient is put at ease. Michael and Lynda .
Nick Shah
4 years ago
Great dentist with great knowledge . Good staff. Friendly manner. I am going with him for more than 5 years. Good preventive care. Will recommend treatment only if absolutely required.
Yanique Campbell
4 years ago
First time patient. Very friendly staff. Efficiency is top notch (they get you in and out while maintaining quality care). Dr. Griesner has great bedside manner--I can tell he connects well with patients. Will be returning.
Ariel Blondet Jr
4 years ago
Great dentist with a sense of humor. Outstanding support staff!!!
Gerrie Berry
4 years ago
Dr. Harvey Griesner has been my General Dentist for quite a while. I would give him super plus 5 stars. He is very caring and professional. His office is very neat and clean. His staff are friendly and courteous as well. I always love to see a doctor who truly cares for their well-being and look out for their patients. I highly recommend him to you as your Family Dentist.
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