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WISDOM TEETH AND RIDGE PRESERVATION - What are Impacted Teeth?
- Should they be removed?
- When is the best time to remove impacted teeth?
- What is Ridge Preservation?
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Teeth that remain partially or completely submerged beneath the gums are considered impacted. Any tooth can become impacted, but the most commonly impacted are widom teeth, or third molars. Problems such as infection, cysts, tumors, damage to adjacent teeth and bone can result from impacted teeth. For these reasons, most impacted teeth are considered for removal. Problems may not surface until many years, even decades, have passed, and by then they are much more difficult to treat. The procedure is usually done in an oral and maxillofacial surgeon's office with both local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. Removal is easier in younger patients. Roots are not yet fully developed, and the bone is less dense. Regular x-rays will help your dentist and oral surgeon predict the best time for you, but as a general rule, the best time is between 15 and 18 years of age. |
Ridge Preservation is the process of maintaining the natural height of your oral bone called the alveolar ridge. This is the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. When a defect in the bone is created by an extraction or periodontal disease, it is important to replace that lost bone with a material that will become bone again. Healthy bone is necessary for healthy theeth. If this bone is not preserved, your teeth may shift, the bone may shrink, and you may need a second procedure later to replace the lost bone. Bone restoration contributes to the best long term oral health.
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