If you are a teen or an adolescent, you should be aware that now is a very pivotal time in your life. You are currently undergoing an amazingly rapid period of growth, and sometimes it can be hard to navigate. This is especially important in the development of your last set of molars, also known as wisdom teeth.
These can be incredibly damaging to your oral health for a variety of different reasons. Our faces have become smaller through the process of evolution, and now our faces most often cannot fit these additional structures. Their growth can also be erratic, leading to misalignment and even damage such as cracks or chips. Today, your Newport Beach, CA dentist reiterates how incredibly important regular appointments can be in helping you maintain your smile during this time. And if you require an extraction surgery, feel comfortable in the process!
Imagery Is Essential
The growth of your third molars can be sneaky without the help of a trained oral health professional. When they are developing below your gumline, there is no way for you to be able to know whether they are healthy or if they are growing properly. This is why regularly scheduled appointments for checkups and cleanings are so important during this time. A digital x-ray can show how far they are in the development process, as well as the direction of their growth. This is an incredibly important too in stopping any damage before it occurs.
What Damage?
These last teeth can be very harmful to your smile, both cosmetically and medically. Being a younger adult, you may have recently completed alignment treatment. When this is set, your goal is then to maintain the location of your dental structures. But these molars can grow erratically, in any direction you can imagine. They can grow toward your existing molars, pushing everything toward the front of your mouth. There is also no guarantee that they will all grow uniformly, so it’s best to avoid the chaos.
The growth can be very strong, as well. You may experience cracks or chips in your enamel due to the pressure. This is not only a cosmetic situation, as infection can reach into the interior portion of your tooth. When this occurs, you will most likely require a root canal surgery procedure to stop pain and ensure that this infection does not spread into your jaw.
Be Proactive With Your Health
If you are an adolescent or a young adult, it is important that you monitor the development of your third set of molars. Please give Dr. Hofkes at Balboa Dental Surgery a call at (949)630-0143. Or stop by our office here in Newport Beach, CA!
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