Am I too old to have my wisdom teeth extracted?

boy holding his face jaw holding wisdom tooth that was extracted

While visiting your general dentist, they may have examined your mouth and taken X-rays to determine the development of your wisdom teeth. In some cases, your wisdom teeth may not need to be taken out. However, a dentist still may recommend removing healthy molars to prevent problems later on. As you age, the bones in your mouth get harder which makes it more challenging for dentists to remove teeth later on in life. This makes many patients wonder whether they can still get their wisdom teeth removed after a certain age. Schedule an appointment today with our skilled general dentistry/dentists located in Basking Ridge & Morristown, NJ  who can help you understand when removal is necessary. 

Is it bad to get your wisdom teeth removed when you are older?

Many people wonder whether age impacts wisdom teeth removal. While it is usually best to take care of wisdom teeth when you are younger, they can still be removed when you are older. Typically, these teeth need to be removed when they cause significant problems. Many people assume that they do not need to be removed if they do not experience pain. However, that is not the case. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed to prevent them from growing in and pushing the surrounding teeth causing bite problems. Moreover, they need to be removed in some cases to alleviate sinus issues. Sometimes patients experience sinus pressure issues as a result of their wisdom teeth. They may need to be removed because of cavities as well as inflamed gums. Further, cysts can form around your teeth which can lead to severe jaw damage. If you do not have your wisdom teeth removed, it could negatively affect your smile as you could have overcrowding issues that cause your teeth to go crooked.

With that being said, if you wait too long to have your teeth removed, it could result in serious issues such as jaw damage, alignment issues, and damage to your other teeth. Although it is better to get your wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible, if a dentist indicates they will cause issues later on if they remain, you can still have them removed when you are in your 50s. Despite being able to in your later age, there are disadvantages to waiting. Your teeth will be harder to remove which means the surgery and recovery time will take longer than if you had them extracted when you are younger. Further, you will likely experience a significant amount of pain.

For more information on whether it is ever too late for a wisdom tooth removal, please schedule an appointment with one of our proficient and dedicated team members. Our dentists are committed to helping our clients maintain their overall oral health. Allow our skilled dentists to assist you today!

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