While extraction of wisdom teeth is not always necessary, it's important to monitor the condition via x-rays to make sure that it isn't impacted and/or infected. As you know, impacted and/or infected wisdom teeth can be the cause of many oral health problems. According to an article in the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of impacted/infected wisdom teeth may include pain, swollen gums, bad breath, headache, and an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

On average, the mouth can really only hold 28 teeth—so imagine the pain and discomfort you'll feel if additional teeth start growing. There are instances when teeth align properly and there's no need to undergo oral surgery. Unfortunately, this generally isn't the case and while you may not initially experience pain or discomfort, a dentist might recommend extraction if he or she sees that your wisdom teeth is impacted.

Getting rid of impacted wisdom teeth is generally perceived as a preventative measure; you might say that it's a way of nipping the problem in the bud. Once you get rid of wisdom teeth, you wil feel more comfortable knowing that any possible problem that can arise has been taken care of. Just make sure your dentist has the proper credentials so you'll know that he or she is qualified to perform oral surgery.

Tooth loss is a big problem in the United States. This is mostly attributed to periodontal disease, a condition that affects half of the total American adult population (according to the CDC). Some people who have suffered tooth loss opt for dentures to normalize their mouth's function, but these often only offer a temporary solution that requires regular replacement and is definitely not a long-term one.

Some of those who wear dentures experience numerous problems with their oral devices, especially when they don't fit properly. This can be utterly bothersome and annoying. Fortunately, there are some dental practitioners that offer a great alternative to wearing dentures: Dental implants. With a dental implant procedure, the normal function of a patient's mouth is fully restored, and they don't have to worry about their teeth being too loose or too tight as they do with dentures.

Dental implants—which are titanium posts that serve as the anchors for the replacement teeth—accurately resemble the root of the natural tooth so they stay in the mouth at all times. Dental implants remain stable and strong even when one is chewing on hard foods like steaks and barbecues. In addition, while dentures are noticeably fake, the replacement teeth used in dental implant procedures are designed to look and feel more natural.

It's a shame that the modern sapien can't use a third set of molars; they could've helped with eating tough nuts and legumes. The human jaw has grown so small that there's no more room for the third set to emerge normally. In the end, these “wisdom teeth” are removed; evolution has effectively killed their role in life. However, if given the chance, can the human being give wisdom teeth another chance to make themselves useful?

The growth of wisdom teeth, according to anthropologists, stemmed from man's rough, coarse diet of leaves and hard nuts. As human intelligence evolved, people learned to process their food instead of eating them raw. Thousands of years of adaptation from environment to environment triggered a lot of visible changes not just in the brain but also in the body. Soon, the wisdom teeth would have already served their purpose.

Evolution is a consistent occurrence; there's a chance that the human body may change over the next generation. However, eating leaves and hard nuts raw today won't guarantee a significant change the next day. It took generations for early man to adapt to a new environment and, in the process, change their physique. It's unlikely that wisdom teeth will make a comeback as part of the family unless certain events prove it wrong.

Dental implantation is winning favor among people suffering from teeth loss for their ability to preserve the natural form of the teeth row. This consists of installing titanium screws into an old tooth's gap and topping it off with a crown. As no two patients' dental bridges are alike, your dental practitioner can assess which of three common implant classes are appropriate for you.

Root-form implants are the most common type of dental implants, which often require a wide-enough jawbone as a foundation to put in the implant screw. Once inserted into the jawbone, it will take up to six months for the screw to meld with it before a crown is placed on top.

In case the patient's jawbone is too narrow for bone grafts required of root-form implants, a dentist will opt ahead for plate-form implantation. Plate-form implants have the small titanium rod with a thin metal blade underneath, which the jawbone will eventually fuse with. Subperiosteal implants are used if the jawbone mass is insufficient for the previous two types. The dentist will have to fashion the implant according to the design of the jawbone itself for the implant to fit.

Dental implants are often seen as a way to recover any lost self-confidence in the event of tooth loss. It also prevents bone loss and premature aging as well.

When you decide to have oral surgery to rid yourself of your mouth's imperfections, do not let the fear of pain overwhelm you into backing out. Think of the procedure as another challenge that you have to face to appreciate life more. Aside from emotionally psyching yourself up for the process, there are other ways to gear up for an oral surgery that will change your life.

Before making your way to your oral surgeon's office, you must have been able to converse with him days before the treatment. You need to be aware of medications that need to be taken prior to the surgery, if any. You should also talk to your dentist about any worries you may have about the upcoming operation. He may even quell your fears and help you steel yourself for what's to come.

Having family or friends around you during the surgery would also help boost your morale. Arrange for a loved one to accompany you as you approach the dental chair. You will also need a pair of hands and legs who can drive you home once the procedure is over. Make sure that your companion will not leave your side so he will be able to accomplish dentist's orders, if needed.

An oral surgery may be a serious business, but there's no worry yourself just thinking about it. Trust in your oral surgeon; after all, he is not a dental specialist for nothing.