People think that when they reach adulthood, all of their teeth have fully grown. However, many people are not aware about wisdom teeth. People usually have four wisdom teeth, but there are cases of people having five or more. This unusual condition is known as supernumerary teeth by dentists in Fayetteville, NC.

A wisdom tooth grows during the late teens to early 20s. If you’re one of the many people who have extra space for another molar, you’re lucky because you don’t need to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Unfortunately, in most cases, wisdom teeth do not grow right, often requiring tooth extraction.

Emerging wisdom teeth can cause several dental issues. Wisdom teeth sometimes emerge only partially, forcing other teeth out of proper alignment. This often leads to malocclusions and crowded teeth, which would require extraction and corrective braces to restore.

Aside from the fact that it can make your teeth look overcrowded, wisdom teeth can also cause gum diseases and pericoronitis when not fully erupted. Pericoronitis happens when bacteria accumulates under a flap of gum or operculum partially covering a tooth. According to dentists in Fayetteville, NC, an operculum is a common breeding ground for bacteria responsible for causing plaque and tooth decay. Although a periodontist can cut out the excess gum, it will likely grow back over time.

An impacted tooth can also cause other problems aside from minor inconveniences. Many dentists in Fayetteville, NC believe that an impacted tooth can lead to the development of oral cancer, tumors, or cysts. This happens because the impacted tooth is surrounded by a sac that keeps it embedded in the gums. This sac can get filled with fluids and bacteria, eventually developing a cyst or a tumor.

Tooth extraction is the easiest and most common way to deal with an impacted tooth. It can be performed by a professional Fayetteville dentist or oral surgeon. These days, local anesthesia is often administered before the surgery is done. However, some procedures require general anesthesia to ensure the success of the surgery. Talk to your dentist and seek professional advice to have your wisdom teeth checked.