As humans evolved over millions of years, our jaws have become smaller. Your mouth is designed to hold 28 teeth comfortably. However, when the third molars (AKA wisdom teeth) appear between the ages of 17 to 25, there is little space for them in your mouth, and they often become impacted or blocked by the surrounding teeth.
At Memorial Heights Dental Center, we recommend that patients remove wisdom teeth in young adults to prevent future problems. People who have oral surgeries later in life, especially after 35, have higher risks of complications and longer healing times than those who get their wisdom teeth removed in their 20s.
Several complications can arise if you don’t have enough room in your mouth for the wisdom teeth to erupt. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, you should get them removed by our dentist in Houston, TX before the root structure is fully developed.
Some potential problems that we routinely see occurring in patients at Memorial Heights Dental Center due to impacted wisdom teeth include the following:
According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 85% of wisdom teeth will eventually need removal at some point in life.
Your wisdom teeth erupt during your late teens and early twenties. As wisdom teeth develop, their roots become longer, and jaw bone becomes denser. It is easier to remove your impacted wisdom teeth when you are a teenager or a young adult and healing times are also faster.
When it is necessary to remove wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties, or beyond, there is a greater chance of complications, and it might take significantly longer to heal.
If you are considering wisdom teeth extraction in Houston, TX, call us or book an appointment with Memorial Heights Dental Center today.