Wisdom Teeth
The average adult has thirty-two teeth by age eighteen: sixteen teeth on the top and sixteen teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canines and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces while the back teeth, or molar teeth, are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing. The average mouth, however, does not have enough room for the last four 3rd molars or wisdom teeth.

Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. If they align properly, and surrounding gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. Impacted teeth (teeth remaining under the gums) can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

These abnormally positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and eventually causes an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may decay or move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure. The teenage years are usually the best time for removal before the roots are fully formed.

Oral Examination
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Dr. Pollock can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Dr. Pollock has the training, licensing and experience to provide various types of anesthesia to allow patients to select the best alternative. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment and staff experienced in anesthesia techniques.

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