The third molars, which are commonly called the wisdom teeth, are typically the last teeth to come in. Because they are the last to erupt, there is often not enough room for the wisdom teeth to grow in as they should. When there is not sufficient space for the wisdom teeth, they may become impacted (unable to fully break through the gum tissues and jawbone) or grow in at an incorrect angle. Wisdom teeth that do not erupt as they should can lead to several dental problems, such as:

• Disturbing the natural tooth alignment or orthodontic treatment
• Damage to the neighboring teeth
• Tooth decay
• Infection and inflammation in the gums and other tissues
• The formation of cysts
• Damage to the jawbone

Our dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal to avoid these serious complications and to keep your smile healthy. We will carefully evaluate your smile, including the positioning of your teeth and wisdom teeth, to determine whether your smile would benefit from wisdom teeth removal. Then we will refer you to a dental professional who will perform the treatment.