Chordals or third molars?

Third molars are known as wisdom teeth. They have the peculiarity of erupting in the wrong position in most cases, causing a lot of pain, inflammation and sometimes even infections.

These teeth erupt in the posterior part of the oral cavity, between 18 and 25 years of age, depending on each patient.

As the last teeth to come out, they usually do not have enough space, causing a series of inconveniences. Therefore, a panoramic x-ray is frequently performed to the patient in order to determine the position of the teeth and thus determine whether the procedure to be followed is a simple extraction, a surgical extraction or surgery.

There are three scenarios that may be encountered in patients:

Erupted wisdom teeth:

The tooth is outside the gum, it is clinically observed. Normally it is very difficult to perform an optimal brushing so it triggers the appearance of dental caries and periodontal problems, as well as dental movements that directly affect the patient's bite.

Semi-erupted wisdom teeth:

The tooth erupts partially; in these cases it is common for food debris and bacterial plaque to remain trapped, favoring the appearance of infections, causing a process of pericoronitis. This not only causes inflammation but also a lot of pain.

Retained wisdom teeth:

The wisdom teeth are not clinically observed as they are impacted and do not erupt. This causes internal pressure against the adjacent tooth causing crowding and pain. If the intervention is not performed in a timely manner, in some cases not only the wisdom tooth but also the neighboring tooth can be lost.

It is important to request a clinical and radiographic evaluation in case of any discomfort in order to be able to perform the required procedure according to the case.