Wisdom teeth can grow into the adjacent second molar teeth and cause cavities

The skill of an Oral Surgeon can greatly affect your comfort during and following oral surgery. It can also affect your post-operative aesthetic result. Our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team includes 16 cosmetic dentists, specialists (including two Oral Surgeons) and lab ceramists in one high-end midtown Manhattan office. In addition an MD-anesthesiologist offers several options for dental sedation. Nitrous oxide laughing gas is also available. The Oral Surgeons in our New York office have a lot of experience. In addition they possess vastly greater skills than general dentists who perform oral surgery. Therefore please visit us for all your tooth extraction oral surgery and dental implant needs.

The dental specialty known as Oral Surgery includes Teeth extractions. The teeth most frequently extracted are the wisdom teeth. In addition oral surgery involves dental implant placement. It also involves the diagnosis and removal of oral pathology (disease). Oral surgery also includes the realignment of the facial bones and TMJ treatment. An Oral Surgeon is the specialist who usually performs these procedures. They usually have an additional three to six more years of education than a general dentist.

Our extraction oral surgery patients also have access to top medical care

Moreover our patients have access to our affiliated team of 12 medical doctors in our building. This is because of the known relationship between dental disease and other medical diseases like heart disease and diabetes. We hope to improve your overall health one step at a time.

Photos on second molar tooth decay or cavities near wisdom teeth created in our Extraction Oral Surgery office.

second 2nd molar damage, Wisdom Teeth Tooth, third 3rd molar, cavity decay caries
An impacted wisdom tooth may damage the healthy adjacent tooth. A large tooth cavity was created by the wisdom tooth growing into it. The patient did not feel tooth pain. Root canal therapy and a dental crown were performed on the second molar. The crown covers where tooth decay was removed.
second 2nd molar damage, Wisdom Teeth Tooth, third 3rd molar, pericoronitis, gum pocket
An x-ray and photo explain the need for wisdom teeth extraction. 1) The xray shows maxillary and mandibular wisdom teeth impactions. 2) The photo of the lower impacted wisdom tooth shows it partially submerged below the gums and impinging against the otherwise healthy second molar. This will frequently cause tooth decay and gum disease around the second molar over time.
second 2nd molar damage, Wisdom Teeth Tooth, third 3rd molar, osseous defect bone loss
An impacted wisdom tooth prevented the natural tooth eruption of the adjacent molar resulting in the need for the extraction of both teeth. 1) This x-ray shows the two impactions. 2) – 6) Different pictures show the large bone defect and the exposure of the distal furcation of the first molar. 7) – 8) The Oral Surgeon packed the osseous defect with freeze-dried bone and gelfoam.
second molar damage pain, Wisdom Tooth, decay cavity caries, pericoronitis, gum pocket
Removal of a horizontal impaction of a lower wisdom tooth simultaneously with the extraction of the damaged second molar. The patient felt a lot of tooth pain. 1) Initial xray. 2) The second molar had a temporary filling in it placed by another dentist. 3) – 4) The empty tooth socket can be seen after extraction of the crown of #32. 5) – 6) A small periodontal gum flap was reflected to show the exposure of the roots of #32 after it was sectioned. 7) Removal of the first root. 8) The second root was brought forward in socket and ready for extraction.
second 2nd molar damage, Wisdom Teeth Tooth, third 3rd molar, cavity decay caries
Why wisdom teeth should be extracted in the absence of tooth pain. 1) – 2) Two x-rays showing a lower wisdom tooth impacted on an angle and pushing into the adjacent second molar causing a large cavity. 3) X-ray shows the wisdom tooth was removed and the second molar following root canal therapy with the large distal tooth decay still present. 4) Cast gold post and core and crown in place. Note the distal crown margin completely covers where the distal cavity was removed. Sometimes the second molar is so badly damaged by the wisdom tooth that it also needs to be extracted.
second 2nd molar damage pain infection, Wisdom Teeth Tooth, third 3rd molar, cavity decay caries
Wisdom teeth usually grow into the mouth between ages 18- 25. All dental patients should be evaluated for the potential need for wisdom teeth extractions and the potential risk of not following the recommendation. These photos show preparation of the second molar to remove the distal cavity after root canal therapy was performed on it and the wisdom tooth was removed. 1) – 2) Dental caries is present in the distal area of the second molar. The temporary filling can be seen in the occlusal opening following root canal. 3) The cavity is removed. 4) The temporary filling is now l removed and shows gutta percha – root canal filling material – prior to cast post and core preparation.
second 2nd molar damage, Wisdom Teeth Tooth, third 3rd molar, explain, explanation why
Why wisdom tooth removal may be necessary even if there is not tooth or gum pain. 1) X-ray shows a lower wisdom tooth impacted on an angle and pushing into the adjacent second molar causing a large cavity. 2) Tooth decay can be seen in the distal area of the second molar where it touched the wisdom tooth. The temporary filling can be seen in the occlusal opening following root canal.