Wisdom teeth are the last molars to arrive, usually between the ages of 16 and 21. For most people there simply is not enough room at the back of the jaw for them to come in straight, and that is when problems start. We remove wisdom teeth in our own office — including difficult and impacted cases — so you are not sent elsewhere for treatment.
Why Wisdom Teeth Are Removed
- Impaction: The tooth is trapped under bone or gum and cannot erupt properly.
- Infection: A partly erupted wisdom tooth traps bacteria under a flap of gum, causing repeated swelling and pain.
- Decay: Wisdom teeth sit far back and are hard to clean, so they and the molar in front of them are prone to cavities.
- Damage to neighboring teeth: A tooth angled forward can push on, and resorb the root of, the second molar.
- Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs can form around an unerupted tooth and damage surrounding bone.
Why Timing Matters
Removal is usually easiest in the late teens and early twenties, while the roots are still forming and the bone is more flexible. Waiting means longer roots that may sit against or wrap around the nerve supplying sensation to the teeth and jaw, which raises the difficulty of the procedure and the recovery time.
Planning Your Procedure
We take a 3D cone-beam CT scan so we can see each root and its exact relationship to the nerve and sinus from every angle before we begin. That is what allows us to plan a safe, efficient removal rather than discovering a surprise mid-procedure. We will review the images with you and discuss comfort options, including nitrous oxide.
Recovery
- Expect some swelling and soreness for two to three days, peaking on day two. Ice for the first 24 hours helps.
- Stick to soft foods and avoid straws, smoking and vigorous rinsing for the first few days so the healing site is not disturbed.
- Keep the area clean with the gentle salt-water rinses we will show you.
- Most people return to school or work within a couple of days.
We will send you home with written post-operative instructions and a number to call if anything concerns you. If your wisdom teeth are causing pain or you have been told they need to come out, call us and we will get you in for an evaluation.