The Evolution of Wisdom Teeth: Why Humans Don’t Need Them Anymore.

oral surgery wisdom teeth St. Louis South Oral Surgery

The Evolution of Wisdom Teeth: Why Humans Don’t Need Them Anymore The human body is a marvel of biological engineering, refined over millions of years to adapt to changing environments and survival needs. However, not every feature of human anatomy has kept pace with modern lifestyle changes. The third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom … Read more

What Is a “Dry Socket”? How to Spot It and How Your Surgeon Treats It.

dry socket 1 scaled St. Louis South Oral Surgery

Alveolar Osteitis: Understanding the Etiology, Symptoms, and Management of Dry Socket Following a tooth extraction, the body initiates a complex biological process to heal the surgical site. In the vast majority of cases, this recovery proceeds without incident. However, a specific complication known as alveolar osteitis, or commonly referred to as “dry socket,” can occur. … Read more

Simple vs. Surgical Extractions: What’s the Difference?

wisdom teeth x ray St. Louis South Oral Surgery

Simple vs. Surgical Extractions: Understanding the Clinical Differences Tooth extraction is a fundamental procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, performed when a tooth is no longer viable due to extensive decay, trauma, crowding, or impaction. While the end result—the removal of the tooth—is the same, the clinical approach varies significantly based on the condition and … Read more

The Risks of Keeping Your Wisdom Teeth: What Happens If You Do Nothing?

wisdom teeth wide St. Louis South Oral Surgery

The Risks of Keeping Your Wisdom Teeth: What Happens If You Do Nothing? Third molars, clinically referred to as wisdom teeth, represent the final set of dentition to develop within the human mouth. Typically emerging during the late teenage years or early twenties, these structures are vestigial remnants of human evolution. While some individuals possess … Read more