Wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed. Most of the time however, either the upper or lower jaw does not have enough space to fit your wisdom teeth. This can cause infection issues and problems keeping the area clean so it is highly recommended to remove them when symptoms are present. The wisdom tooth extraction procedure is very common and standard practice with an oral surgeon, so when wisdom teeth are causing problems your dentist will probably refer you to a local oral surgeon to have them extracted and prevent further problems and discomfort.

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that typically erupt between ages 17 and 25. They often lack space to grow properly, leading to issues like crowding or infection.

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that doesn’t fully emerge due to insufficient space or improper alignment. This can cause pain, swelling, or infection.

Common signs include pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, or recurring infections. During an exam and X-rays, we can determine if extraction is necessary.

The procedure itself is painless because we use local anesthesia and offer sedation options. Some soreness is normal afterward, but we provide guidance for a smooth recovery.

Recovery typically takes 7-10 days. Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days, depending on the complexity of the extraction.

Stick to soft foods like soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies for the first few days. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods.

An extraction may be needed for severely decayed, damaged, or infected teeth, or to make space for orthodontic treatment or impacted wisdom teeth.

An impacted wisdom is the third molar at the very back of your mouth that doesn’t have enough room to emerge or develop in a normal manner. This will usually lead to complications if it’s not taken care of by an oral surgeon, leading to further discomfort or the possibility of more extensive dental procedures down the road. It’s best to take the advice of your dentist or oral surgeon when the suggest the extraction of one or more of your third molars to prevent other oral health issues.

Depending on a variety of factors, wisdom tooth extraction can be more difficult than other teeth, but for the most part, a wisdom tooth extraction is a fairly routine process performed by your oral surgeon. If the oral surgeon notices a situation that presents a more complicated extraction, they will discuss it with you beforehand, but it usually isn’t a major cause for concern.

Possibility of future crowding after your permanent/removable retainers are placed

Continued growth of your lower jaw, or mandible, after orthodontic treatment is completed

Class III, or underbite present

Uneven bite at the end of treatment on the second molars already showing the need for removal of wisdom teeth

Your wisdom teeth poling thru the gums during your orthodontic care, but brackets and wires are on

The best situation for an implant that will last a long time is to have enough supporting bone around it.

Our standard of care is a 3D X-Ray to find out the area future implant will be placed and custom-plan the length, width, and type of dental implant you will need.

We then know before ever performing the surgery where we would need to graft. This saves on cost and lets us know what type of graft is right for you.

Most commonly performed in addition to tooth extraction, Dental Bone Grafting aids in the re-growth of new bone by providing a scaffolding into which material from the patient’s own body can grow and form a ridge for a future implant or help maintain the height of bone the patient had prior to extraction.

A dry socket occurs when the blood clot protecting the extraction site is dislodged. Avoid smoking, drinking through a straw, or vigorous rinsing to reduce the risk.

Yes, we can remove multiple teeth in one appointment and will provide a tailored recovery plan to ensure healing.