Q&A: About Wisdom Teeth

Posted October 17, 2015

Wisdom teeth – also called “third molars” – can be quite confusing. This is particularly true since some patients have no problems with this final set of molars – while others deal with potentially damaging side effects. As for your personal experience and questions about wisdom teeth removal, it is important that you become familiar with the facts. Because this aspect of oral health is unique to each patient, we encourage you to schedule a visit to seek additional details directly from our team (rather than relying on information from friends or the internet). In the meantime, considering answers to common questions will help you establish a solid foundation of understanding.

Questions and Answers About Wisdom Teeth

Question: Are wisdom teeth even something I need to think about for my child? When do they develop?

Answer: It’s important to monitor your child for wisdom teeth only once your son or daughter is old enough to begin developing them. For the most part they begin to grow around the age of 17. We provide dental care to individuals aged 1 to 18, so this is certainly something we seek out during dental checkups.

Question: How do I know if my child’s wisdom teeth are developing properly? What are common reasons for wisdom teeth removal?

Answer: It’s impossible for you to know on your own. We will examine your child’s mouth during six-month preventive visits and will achieve a close-up look with the use of digital X-rays. We will suggest removal if the teeth are developing on an angle that threatens alignment, if they are impacted, or if they become too difficult to care for.

Question: Do you perform wisdom teeth removal or will I need to visit another doctor?

Answer: In most cases, we perform wisdom teeth extractions for our patients. We will speak with you about your child’s particular care plan during your visit, so we can protect your little one’s oral health.