Removal of Wisdom Teeth

When correctly aligned, wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, pose no threat to the mouth and may be helpful. Problems may develop that necessitate their removal. If the jaw is too small to accommodate the extra teeth, teeth may erupt sideways or impacted, part of the way, or they may not erupt at all. Improperly erupted wisdom teeth have the potential to damage nearby teeth, bone and roots. Bacterial infection, which leads to pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and other problems may also occur. Removal of wisdom teeth by an oral surgeon is swift and effective.

Additional Resources

• Medline Plus
• National Institutes of Health
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• WebMD

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