Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Two young women smiling after wisdom tooth extraction in Orange CaliforniaOne of the most common reasons for tooth extraction is wisdom teeth removal. Nearly everyone has wisdom teeth, and most people have to get them taken out at some point.

Common Questions About Wisdom Teeth Extraction

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Humans go through many different stages of dental growth, throughout their early lives. At age six, the first set of molars comes in. At approximately age twelve, a second set arrives.

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars and usually, grow in somewhere between ages eighteen and twenty.

Interestingly enough, human jaws have become smaller over time, which means that wisdom teeth just don’t fit properly anymore. This is due to lifestyle changes, life expectancy, and technology.

Many centuries ago, the health of our teeth directly impacted life expectancy. Having that third group of molars would have been an invaluable addition to a set of teeth with twenty years of wear and tear.

However, as technology and standards of living improved, both dental care and life expectancy improved as well. It became less and less necessary to have a third set of molars. Over time, changes in human development reflected that through smaller jaws.

Why are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

These days, our wisdom teeth are not only much less necessary but have actually become an active threat to the health of the rest of our teeth. Many of these threats result from overcrowding.

Because our jaws are smaller, they no longer fit as many teeth. When teeth are too tight to fit properly, they can become crooked, malformed, or sometimes infected. All of this makes wisdom teeth removal necessary.

Impaction:

When the jaw is so overcrowded that wisdom teeth can’t emerge from the gum, they are impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth can very often turn sideways or upside-down. Growing at strange angles puts pressure on your other teeth, gums, and jaws that can cause severe complications.

Malformation:

When teeth don’t have enough room to grow, they compensate in many ways. One of those ways is strange or stunted growth patterns. It is not unusual to have wisdom teeth form odd root shapes while being impacted.

Infection:

Teeth that are too close together, whether impacted or not, run the risk of collecting plaque and particles in places that are extremely difficult to clean properly. This can cause cavities that encompass multiple teeth.

Talk to Us About Your Wisdom Teeth

Here at our office, we can perform wisdom tooth extraction for you. Oral surgery, especially in the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, can seem like a daunting prospect.

That’s why Michelsen Dental is here for you.

We offer a number of excellent amenities in our office, including both IV and conscious sedation. If you have any questions at all about your treatment options, don’t hesitate to call today.

Dr. Michelsen and her staff are amazing. We drive from Aliso Viejo because of the service we are provided. Thank you for taking great care of my family. We smile brighter because of you.

Alicia F.

Michelsen Dental
2018-09-07T12:02:29-07:00

Alicia F.

Dr. Michelsen and her staff are amazing. We drive from Aliso Viejo because of the service we are provided. Thank you for taking great care of my family. We smile brighter because of you.
Dr. Michelsen is a very professional, caring and considerate dentist which puts the dental health of her patients above all else. Her office will not try to upsell you on services that aren’t needed like other dental offices. Her office staff mirrors her professionalism and friendliness.

Marc Ellison

Michelsen Dental
2018-09-07T12:01:40-07:00

Marc Ellison

Dr. Michelsen is a very professional, caring and considerate dentist which puts the dental health of her patients above all else. Her office will not try to upsell you on services that aren’t needed like other dental offices. Her office staff mirrors her professionalism and friendliness.
Dr. Michaelsen is amazing! My daughter has Veneers on her front teeth. One cracked this week and she is leaving on a vacation for 2 weeks! Dr. Michaelsen and her staff went above and beyond to get her in and get the tooth fixed. Dr. Michaelsen did such a beautiful job fixing her tooth. You can’t even tell that there was ever a problem. She is such an amazing talented Dentist! And her staff is terrific too!

Amy Willett Leon

Michelsen Dental
2018-09-07T12:04:51-07:00

Amy Willett Leon

Dr. Michaelsen is amazing! My daughter has Veneers on her front teeth. One cracked this week and she is leaving on a vacation for 2 weeks! Dr. Michaelsen and her staff went above and beyond to get her in and get the tooth fixed. Dr. Michaelsen did such a beautiful job fixing her tooth. You can’t even tell that there was ever a problem. She is such an amazing talented Dentist! And her staff is terrific too!
Very helpful and friendly staff. I love that they make your crown right there and you don't have to have a temporary tooth and wait for the permanent tooth.

Elliot Wagstaff

Michelsen Dental
2018-09-07T12:03:10-07:00

Elliot Wagstaff

Very helpful and friendly staff. I love that they make your crown right there and you don't have to have a temporary tooth and wait for the permanent tooth.
Dr. Michelsen is fantastic! She is not only a great dentist with up to date equipment, but she is very good to her patients! Glad she is here and my dentist!

Susan Olive Nuttall

Michelsen Dental
2018-09-07T12:04:11-07:00

Susan Olive Nuttall

Dr. Michelsen is fantastic! She is not only a great dentist with up to date equipment, but she is very good to her patients! Glad she is here and my dentist!
My husband and I are both patients of Dr. Michelsen. As she has recently taken over this practice, we have only had a few visits with her but right off the bat, she made us feel right at ease and very comfortable with both her skill as a dentist and also her personal attention to her patients. She takes the time to get to know you, which we like. Her office staff is always very warm and inviting and never fail to greet you with a smile. I have already referred a friend and hoping we have the opportunity to refer others!

Robin Rodina

Michelsen Dental
2018-09-07T12:04:32-07:00

Robin Rodina

My husband and I are both patients of Dr. Michelsen. As she has recently taken over this practice, we have only had a few visits with her but right off the bat, she made us feel right at ease and very comfortable with both her skill as a dentist and also her personal attention to her patients. She takes the time to get to know you, which we like. Her office staff is always very warm and inviting and never fail to greet you with a smile. I have already referred a friend and hoping we have the opportunity to refer others!
I've been procrastinating on going to the dentist for a few years because I was nervous of what I might need. But after visiting with Dr. Michelsen, I found that I was worried for no reason at all. She and her staff are kind, patient, and gentle! I'm smiling because, not only are my teeth nice and healthy again, I also got my smile brightened. It looks better than I thought possible...and makes me feel happy about myself again.

Jill Parkin

Michelsen Dental
2018-09-07T12:02:02-07:00

Jill Parkin

I've been procrastinating on going to the dentist for a few years because I was nervous of what I might need. But after visiting with Dr. Michelsen, I found that I was worried for no reason at all. She and her staff are kind, patient, and gentle! I'm smiling because, not only are my teeth nice and healthy again, I also got my smile brightened. It looks better than I thought possible...and makes me feel happy about myself again.
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Michelsen Dental

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