Office Location: 540 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508
New patients: 855-610-7695 | Existing patients: 859-252-0314
Kentucky Dental Group
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Lexington, KY Wisdom Teeth

For reasons that aren’t fully understood, humans are given three sets of molars when the jaw ordinarily has space for only two. These wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop, and they usually become fully formed in the late teens. If there isn’t space for them to erupt normally, it is prudent to have them removed.

an x-ray of an impacted wisdom tooth showing a cavity on the back side of the second molarSince there isn’t space for them, they end up not fully erupting into the mouth, a condition we call a tooth impaction. Impacted teeth cause a number of problems. One of those is illustrated by this x-ray. Because the wisdom tooth is butting up against the second molar, it creates a food trap that can’t be adequately cleaned, resulting in a large cavity. To fill this cavity, the wisdom tooth will have to be removed first.

When Should You Have Wisdom Teeth Removed

The best time to remove wisdom teeth is before they are fully formed and before the bone becomes too dense. Once it has been determined that there isn’t space for the wisdom teeth, if the roots aren’t fully formed, the chance of complications is very low. Some people say they want to wait until the tooth causes an infection. The problem with that approach is that the extraction of a wisdom tooth becomes much more traumatic the older you are, and the risk of complications increases greatly. Not only is it harder to take out the tooth once the roots are fully formed, but the bone becomes harder and more dense the older you get.

The ideal age to remove wisdom teeth is from your late teens to early twenties.

Complications from Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If you don’t have enough space for your wisdom teeth to erupt normally and you don’t have them removed, here are some of the risks you will encounter:

  • The most common complication is an abscess from a gum infection. Because the tooth isn’t fully erupted into the mouth, it is impossible to clean. Food particles trapped in the space around the teeth will breed bacteria. While most of these bacteria are somewhat benign, once you run into a virulent strain of bacteria, it can cause a very serious infection.
  • These teeth are also very prone to decay, and are difficult to restore. If the tooth becomes infected, a root canal treatment can be nearly impossible to properly perform.
  • Totally buried in the bone, they can provoke the formation of a cyst.
  • As in the x-ray above, they can damage adjacent teeth.

What is Involved with the Extraction of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth

A diagram showing four examples of impacted wisdom teethWhile there are a variety of types of impactions, as illustrated by the diagram, there always needs to be an incision of the overlying tissue. Often, we will need to remove some bone in order to get adequate access to the tooth. Sometimes, in order to get the tooth fully removed, it will require sectioning the tooth. We will tell you, during your consultation, what exactly will be required to remove your wisdom teeth. Generally, you’ll want to plan on soreness and at least a couple of days of rest after your procedure. This is not as simple as a normal tooth extraction.

Most people want to be sedated for this procedure. For more information on sedation, please see our page on conscious sedation.

At Kentucky Dental Group, we have an oral surgery resident on our staff. That means we can do any wisdom teeth extractions in the office. You will not have to find another caregiver and go to a second office for the extractions. This eliminates the hassle for you and decreases communication problems that come up when more than one practice is involved with your care.

If you need help with your wisdom teeth you may call our office or request an appointment online.

Contact
Kentucky
Dental Group
540 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40508

New Patients:
855-610-7695
Existing Patients:
859-252-0314
About Us
Upon arrival, our staff will great you.

Upon arrival, our staff will greet you and give you a tour of the office. After we talk with you about your health history and dental health goals, the dentist will perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a thorough hard and soft tissue exam. After the hygienist cleans your teeth, we will share the results of your exam and, if necessary, explore your options for treatment.

We offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies.

“After an accident that cracked my front teeth, the emergency room plastic surgeon recommended Dr. Weaver. I'm so glad he did! Dr. Weaver put me at ease through multiple procedures and appointments. He went above and beyond explaining each one and I am very happy with the results! The office staff was friendly and efficient and there was never a wait for an appointment. My entire family now goes to Dr. Weaver. Wish I could give him more than five stars!”

- Kim, Lexington KY

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540 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40508
New Patients: 855-610-7695
Existing Patients: 859-252-0314
Office Hours:
Mon - Thur: 8am – 5pm
Every Other Friday: 8am – 5pm
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Doctors
      • Meet Dr. John Weaver
      • Meet Dr. James E. Willliams
      • Meet Dr. John Ross
    • Meet Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Request an Appointment
    • What Can I Expect My First Visit?
    • Patient Forms
    • Financial Policies
    • Map to Our Office
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Teeth Whitening
  • Tooth Replacement
    • Dental Implants
    • Dentures
    • Implant Overdentures
  • Other Services
    • Pediatric Dentist
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Sedation Dentist
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Mercury-Free Dentist
    • Metal-Free Dentist
    • Sleep Apnea
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