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Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the back of the mouth and are also known as third molars. They begin to develop under the gums between the ages of 8 and 15 and are visible on dental X-rays during this time period, before coming in between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people may have all four wisdom teeth, some may have only two, and about 35% of people don’t have any at all. Studies indicate that our ancestors boasted larger jaws and more teeth in order to properly consume the raw, uncooked food of those times. With the evolution of the human species and, consequently, lifestyles and diets, our jaws are now smaller and thus have difficulty accommodating this extra set of teeth.
Not all wisdom teeth come in and if they do, they are not always painful or require immediate extraction. However, there are some clear signs and symptoms that indicate wisdom teeth are erupting:
Pain or discomfort in the oral cavity
Headaches
White spots behind the last molars
Gum redness and/or swelling in the back corners of the mouth
Every year, approximately ten million wisdom teeth are extracted – a number that is causing practitioners to stop and consider the real necessity of this oral surgery. Whether it’s a preventive measure to avoid future complications, or these third molars are negatively impacting other teeth and causing suffering, wisdom teeth removal is always a case-by-case analysis because no two patients are alike, nor is their wisdom tooth status. There are many factors to consider before making the decision to extract one or more wisdom teeth.
Did you know that 35% of people don’t have any wisdom teeth?
And that it’s perfectly normal to not have all four?
Wisdom teeth may not always erupt as expected, and if they are trapped in the jawbone or gums, this can be painful and requires extraction. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause numerous oral health complications such as: cavities, periodontitis, root resorption, pericoronitis, neuropathic pain, cysts or tumours.
There are cases where a wisdom tooth will not break through completely and the result is a flap of gum tissue that can easily trap food and bacteria, consequently leading to swelling, infection and pain.
Sometimes, the jaw simply has no room to accommodate these third molars and when wisdom teeth erupt, they are awkwardly angled, they press against the jawbone or other teeth, causing damage, misalignment, discomfort and even affecting the bite.
In general, and due to their position in the mouth, wisdom teeth are difficult to clean correctly, which can affect oral health and lead to infection, inflammation, tooth decay and even gum disease.
In some cases, an orthodontic solution may be a plausible alternative to oral surgery, namely if the wisdom teeth are impacted but are not causing any problems in the oral cavity.
We minimise post-extraction recovery time, reduce inflammation, and support natural healing.
As a leading biological dentistry clinic, the starting point is a complete evaluation of the patient’s oral health status, medical history, and current symptoms.
The patient undergoes a comprehensive clinical examination, supported by advanced technology in order to assess not only the wisdom teeth, but also their impact on the oral cavity.
The team communicates the risks and benefits of the wisdom tooth extraction and a personalised treatment plan is presented.
At our dental clinic in Lisbon, wisdom tooth extraction is composed of a minimally invasive procedure with an advanced regenerative protocol supported by Er-Yag laser disinfection and advanced tissue engineering, PRF – Platelet Rich Fibrin application, ozone therapy and photobiomodulation, for quick and powerful healing.
Led by one of the most prominent dentists and oral surgeons in the world, Dr. Miguel Stanley, the White Clinic team has over 24 years of experience in wisdom tooth extraction, with a biological dentistry and integrative approach, backed by cutting-edge technology and personalised protocols. The main focus is ensuring minimally invasive procedures where patient comfort, quick recovery time and natural healing are always the priority.
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