For many people, wisdom teeth are a bane to their good
dental health. They’re often extracted to relieve severe discomfort, and the
frequency with which they’re removed may beg the question, why do we grow wisdom teeth in the first place? Although your mouth can function fine without them, the
extra set of molars can prove beneficial for those who successfully grow all
four of their wisdom teeth without trouble.
Their Purpose
A typical adult mouth contains four types of teeth—incisors,
canines, bicuspids (premolars), and molars. Incisors and canines rip and tear
your food into manageable chunks, while bicuspids and molars grind the food to
prepare it for digestion. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, can provide
additional chewing power to reduce the wear and tear on your other teeth. In
ancient times, these extra molars were likely necessary to consume a rougher
diet of raw meat and vegetation.
Their Problem
These days, with a much more forgiving diet and wider range
of options for our meals, the typical adult jawbone can only comfortably
accommodate 28 teeth, making the four last molars redundant and frequently
troublesome. When your dental ridge doesn’t have enough room for them, your
third molars will push against the existing teeth as they try to erupt from
your gum line. Known as impacted wisdom teeth, they don’t erupt fully from your
gums, or not at all, and can damage your other teeth while pushing them out of
alignment. Extracting impacted wisdom teeth
may be necessary to preserving your smile’s health and integrity.
Their Potential
Even if your wisdom teeth have to come out, they can still
prove beneficial to your future dental or systemic health. According to a study
published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the pulp (soft tissue in the middle) of wisdom teeth contain a wealth
of cells known as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) that are used to create stem cells.
Scientists believe stem cells may hold the key to unlocking breakthrough
regenerative medical treatments, including growing biological replacements for
missing adult teeth. The cache of tissues discovered in extracted wisdom teeth
can prove invaluable to researchers in their study of adult stem cells and
their potential applications.
About Your Grand Prairie Implant Dentist:
Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced
general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He
takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter
our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he
offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether
you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next
appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting
us at (972) 262-5111.
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