Oral Health and Dental Management

Wisdom Teeth: Their Role and Development in Dental Anatomy

Yui Mio^* Department of Clinical Dentistry, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
^*Correspondence: Yui Mio, Department of Clinical Dentistry, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan, Email:

Received: 27-May-2024, Manuscript No. OHDM-24-26084; Editor assigned: 31-May-2024, Pre QC No. OHDM-24-26084 (PQ); Reviewed: 14-Jun-2024, QC No. OHDM-24-26084; Revised: 21-Jun-2024, Manuscript No. OHDM-24-26084 (R); Published: 28-Jun-2024, DOI: 10.35248/2247-2452. 24.23.1112

Description

Most people acquire their wisdom teeth, or third molars, in their late teens or early twenties. They are the last pair of molars. The duration of this period usually matches early adulthood, which was historically linked to learning new things hence the term “Wisdom teeth.” Molars are the anatomical classification for wisdom teeth, which can be recognized by their big, flat structure located at the back of the mouth. The four wisdom teeth in an adult dentition are located in the upper jaw, two in the upper left and upper right quadrants and the lower jaw two in each of the lower left and lower right quadrants. When tooth buds first erupt within the jawbone in early childhood, wisdom teeth growth starts. As long as the end of teenage years or early adulthood, when they begin to push through the gums, these buds slowly enlarge and remain in place. However each person’s eruption process is unique; some may have no complications, while others may encounter problems such as impaction [1].

Anthropologically, wisdom teeth are thought to have been essential in the past when human diets were coarse. The extra biting strength these teeth offered made it easier to chew tough items like raw meats, nuts, and roots. As diets changed to include more cooked and softer foods and food preparation methods improved, the need for wisdom teeth decreased over time. One of the primary challenges associated with wisdom teeth is impaction. Impaction occurs when there is insufficient space within the jawbone for the teeth to erupt properly into the dental arch. This lack of space can lead to various difficulties, including overcapacity of existing teeth, misalignment, or the teeth becoming trapped under the gum tissue or jawbone. Wisdom teeth can be impacted in different ways based on their location relative to neighbouring teeth and jawbone structure [2-5].

The tooth pushes on the neighbouring second molar when it bends toward the front of the mouth. Due to limited space, the tooth tries to erupt straight up like other molars but is painful doing so. The tooth faces the back of the jawbone at an angle towards the back of the mouth. Because of the tooth’s horizontal placement within the jawbone, there may be serious impaction and other issues. An impacted wisdom tooth can produce clear signs and indicators, such as pain or difficulty biting or chewing, redness and swelling around the gum tissue where the tooth is attempting to erupt, gum discomfort particularly in the area of the impacted tooth, and trouble opening the mouth because of inflammation or pressure against adjacent teeth [6-7].

A dentist or oral surgeon will usually perform a detailed clinical exam to diagnose impacted wisdom teeth. To determine the exact location of the impacted teeth with the surrounding teeth and bone structure, X-rays are frequently utilized. This diagnostic procedure helps in identifying the kind and degree of impaction, directing the selection of the most suitable course of therapy. The degree of impaction, the patient’s complete dental health, and the symptoms noticed all play an essential part in how impacted wisdom teeth are treated. When impacted wisdom teeth do not cause any problems or symptoms immediately, they can still be regularly watched over and changes can be caught with routine dental exams. However, surgical extraction is frequently advised if impacted wisdom teeth are causing discomfort, infection, harm to neighbouring teeth, or complications [8].

Dental professionals and oral surgeons often remove impacted wisdom teeth surgically. Generally, an anaesthetic is given to the patient to ensure their comfort during the process. Options for anaesthesia include conscious sedation for better relaxation, local anaesthetic to numb the extraction site, and general anaesthesia for more complicated situations. A relatively small incision is made in the gum tissue during the treatment to provide access to the impacted tooth and any surrounding bone that might need to be removed. If the tooth is big or difficult to remove, it might be divided into portions so that it can be removed more easily with the use of specific dental tools. After the tooth is removed, the area is thoroughly cleansed, and stitches have been placed to encourage gum tissue repair [9].

Recovery after wisdom teeth extraction requires post-operative management to lower the chance of problems and minimize discomfort. This includes taking natural or prescription pain relievers to manage discomfort, using ice packs on the face to reduce swelling and inflammation in the first few days following surgery, eating a soft diet to prevent pain at the extraction site, and practicing good oral hygiene by gently brushing and rinsing with salt water or mouthwash prescribed by the doctor to keep the extraction site clean and protect against infection. Wisdom tooth extraction complications are common, but they can include dry socket, in which the blood clot in the extraction site ruptures too quickly, exposing primary bone and nerves, infection of the extraction site or surrounding tissues requiring the use of antibiotics; and temporary or permanent nerve damage that causes pain or weakness in the lips, tongue, or cheeks [10].

Conclusion

In conclusion, wisdom teeth extraction has several important long-term advantages. It helps prevent existing teeth from becoming overcrowded, which could otherwise result in dislocation or orthodontic problems. Furthermore, extraction lowers the chance of gum disease and tooth decay in adjacent teeth. Knowing the process, possible outcomes like impaction, and accessible therapies helps people to make sensible choices regarding their dental health care. For wisdom teeth to be treated effectively, proper dental alignment to be helped, and overall health to be protected, routine dental examinations and immediate treatment are essential.

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