Whether you are an adult interested in a procedure for yourself or you are exploring options for your child, Lytle, Tate and Stamper can help you with information about wisdom teeth removal. Pasadena patients have relied on Lytle, Tate and Stamper for years as oral and maxillofacial surgeons who provide high-quality care and excellent results.
Below, we invite you to get answers to common questions about wisdom teeth removal. Glendale, Pasadena, and La Canada patients are then encouraged to contact our offices to discuss their oral health needs.
What are wisdom teeth, and why do I need to have them surgically removed?
Your third molars are commonly referred to as “wisdom teeth.” Typically, you will have four wisdom teeth: one on each side at the top and at the bottom. They grow in the back of your mouth behind your 12-year molars.
Like many people, your jaws may not have enough room to fit all four wisdom teeth as they begin to emerge. If there isn’t enough space, the teeth may not erupt from the gums in the right position. This causes them to become “impacted”: stuck inside the gums or bone. Lytle, Tate and Stamper’s oral surgeons can help remove them before they cause problems.
What issues might I face if I don’t have wisdom teeth removal?
Pasadena patients whose wisdom teeth become impacted may face a variety of problems ranging from discomfort to more serious concerns.
If you do not address impacted teeth, they can cause pain, infection, and damage to the existing teeth (since they are growing into one another). Oral surgery also helps you avoid damage to the jawbone due to the formation of cysts. In short: the procedure is a short-term decision that can prevent long-term oral health problems.
When should I have the surgery?
Third molars normally emerge between age 17 and 21, so it’s around this time that you should consider wisdom teeth removal.
Some Pasadena patients wait to have the procedure until they are older due to financial concerns, convenience, or other reasons. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth that go unaddressed continue to develop: their roots grow longer and the underlying jawbone becomes denser. This adds complexity to the procedure. Also, those age 30 and older are most likely to experience the problems related to impacted teeth, such as discomfort and infection. Lytle, Tate and Stamper recommends have the procedure before the root structure develops completely.
How do I get started?
Meet with the oral surgeons of Lytle, Tate and Stamper. We will examine your mouth, teeth, and jaw to determine the stage of your wisdom teeth development, their position, and potential long-term concerns.
Once our surgeons have reviewed these details, we will develop a treatment plan, schedule the surgery, and provide you with any information you may need. Expect an excellent outcome for your procedure thanks to our experience, expertise, and attentive approach.
To learn more about wisdom teeth removal in Pasadena, get in touch with Lytle, Tate and Stamper by email or telephone.
