Wisdom Teeth

Video Transcript: Wisdom Teeth Management and Impacted Teeth Explained

The following is a full text transcript of the video for accessibility. Total runtime: approximately 5 minutes, 6 seconds.

Introduction to Third Molars

Narrator: Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop and enter your mouth[cite: 164]. If wisdom teeth come into the mouth in a proper position and meet certain conditions, it's generally accepted that you can keep them[cite: 165]. However, they are still prone to disease, even if you experience no pain and have no symptoms[cite: 166]. This is why the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons strongly recommends that third molars be evaluated annually from the time a patient is a young adult[cite: 167].

The Risks of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Narrator: Studies have shown that about nine out of ten people have at least one wisdom tooth that can't break through the gums in an upright, functional position[cite: 168]. As we say, it becomes impacted[cite: 169]. If left alone, an impacted tooth can become infected or damage neighboring teeth[cite: 169]. That can lead to gum disease and even the formation of cysts or tumors[cite: 170]. By the time you feel pain or notice that something is wrong, it may be too late to prevent the problem[cite: 171].

Narrator: The tooth does have to be removed[cite: 172]. It's better to do it when you are young and the roots haven't fully formed[cite: 172]. There's less chance that the roots of the teeth will damage nearby nerves or other structures[cite: 173]. Oral and facial surgeons are the recognized specialists in the management of third molar teeth[cite: 174]. Usually, the surgical care can be provided in an oral and facial surgeon's office[cite: 175]. The surgeon's skill and knowledge of anesthesia care assure you of a safe and comfortable surgical experience[cite: 176].

Long-Term Wisdom Teeth Management

Narrator: If, after consulting with your family dentist and oral surgeon, you decide to keep your wisdom teeth, they do require proper management[cite: 177, 178]. That includes professional cleaning on a regular basis, annual checkups, and periodic X-rays to monitor for changes[cite: 178]. This will ensure the best possible oral health as it relates to your wisdom teeth[cite: 179].

Patient Perspectives: Unexpected Clinical Diagnoses

Roger: My name's Roger, and my story is I went to the dentist because I was having a lot of pain in my back teeth, and I had wisdom teeth impacted[cite: 181]. It seemed to him that there was an unusual amount of bone loss[cite: 182]. He recommended that I see an oral surgeon, and he agreed that it was unusual for someone in their 30s to have this amount of bone loss[cite: 187]. And he suggested strongly that I take an HIV test[cite: 188]. And so I did, and it turns out I was HIV positive, and the result was showing up in bone loss in my mouth—severe bone loss[cite: 189]. There was a lot of sadness around losing my teeth and feeling HIV, knowing that I was HIV positive[cite: 195]. And then to have such a wonderful experience with this oral surgeon, not only just the work that he did on my mouth, but the understanding that I could be healthy again—that he was encouraging me[cite: 196]. In my case, it was really about saving my life[cite: 200].

Mark: Several years ago, I was having some pain with my wisdom tooth and went to the dentist to have them evaluate and see what was going on[cite: 183]. Along with that examination, they determined that I had a tooth that had never descended and was actually fully grown and impacted in my nasal cavity[cite: 184]. After my general dentist referred me to this maxillofacial surgeon to talk about possibly extracting this tooth, I had never even heard of a maxillofacial surgeon before this[cite: 190]. So I was quite intimidated[cite: 190]. He seemed pretty confident that he knew what he was talking about, and that put me at ease[cite: 191].

Phyllis: I had a swelling on the side of my face, and I went to the dentist, and he immediately walked me down the hall to an oral surgeon[cite: 185]. It had wrapped itself around the nerves to my face, and it was larger than a golf ball[cite: 186]. The oral surgeon had equipment that the dentist did not have[cite: 192]. He told me what had caused the cyst—that it was caused by the impacted wisdom tooth[cite: 193]. He told me the severity of the problem, so he recommended that we do surgery immediately, which we did within, I believe it was, a few days[cite: 194]. I hate to think what would have happened if I'd never gone to the oral surgeon that day[cite: 197]. Basically, he saved my face[cite: 197].

Conclusion

Mark: I think the surgery went well[cite: 198]. I have a smile that I'm proud of[cite: 199]. Thank you, thank you so much for helping me understand about my own personal health and self-care[cite: 201].

End of transcript.