You may have heard that wisdom teeth can grow back after they are extracted. This is not true – once your wisdom teeth are removed, they will not grow back. However, there are a few reasons why you may think that your wisdom teeth are growing back. In this article, we will discuss the most common reasons why people believe their wisdom teeth are growing back and what that means for their oral health!
Why Do I Think My Wisdom Teeth Are Growing Back?
The Gums Where the Wisdom Teeth Were are Swelling
One of the most common signs that a new tooth is coming in is gum swelling. This is why many people confuse gum swelling for wisdom teeth growing back.
If you had your wisdom teeth removed and are now experiencing gum swelling in that area, it is likely due to the fact that the area was recently traumatized, not that wisdom teeth are growing back.
When the gums are irritated, they can swell up just like any other part of the body. Besides common swelling, after surgery, some other things that can cause swelling of the gum include:
- Biting something hard into the area (like popcorn)
- Flossing aggressively
- Brushing aggressively
- Infection of the area
This is usually nothing to worry about and will resolve on its own. However, if the swelling persists or is accompanied by pain, you should see your dentist to rule out any other possible causes.
Part of the Wisdom Tooth Left Behind After Extraction Erupted
It is not uncommon for dentists to leave part of your wisdom tooth behind after extraction. This is because wisdom teeth are often difficult to remove and it is easier to leave a small part of the tooth behind than to damage the surrounding teeth nerves during removal. Most often, the part of the tooth left behind will be a root from your wisdom tooth which broke off during removal.
Usually, this small part of the tooth will not grow back and will eventually be absorbed by your body. This is why it’s normally not something to worry about.
If part of your wisdom tooth was left behind, it is possible for that part to erupt through the gum far after the wisdom tooth removal. In this case, it would look like the wisdom tooth is growing back but it’s really just a small part of the tooth that was left behind. If this is the case you can safely dispose of the tooth remnant without worries.
You Have Supernumerary Teeth
Supernumerary teeth are extra teeth that can grow in any part of the mouth. Let it be clear that having supernumerary teeth is extremely unlikely. However, they are often confused for wisdom teeth because nobody expects more teeth to grow in after all of their teeth have erupted.
These teeth can grow at any time, even after wisdom teeth have been removed. They can also grow in many different places other than where your wisdom teeth normally are.
Most supernumerary teeth are not wisdom teeth, but rather other types of teeth that can grow in the mouth. Sometimes there are cases where patients have had 4 wisdom teeth removed only for another set of 4 wisdom teeth needing to be extracted.
In most cases, supernumerary teeth are removed. However, this is not always the case; in fact, there are many benefits to keeping wisdom teeth in the first place! Generally, supernumerary teeth are removed because of the following reasons:
- When they interfere with one’s ability to chew
- When they push around other teeth in the mouth due to crowding
- When they cause pain or discomfort
- When they make it extremely difficult to brush, floss, and keep the rest of your teeth clean
- If they cause aesthetic concerns for the patient
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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