Wisdom teeth removal is one of our most common surgeries. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth and when they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, they do not cause any problems. However, when wisdom teeth don’t emerge or fully break through the gum tissue, they become impacted, often causing swelling, pain and infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause permanent damage to adjacent teeth, gums and supporting bone and can lead to the development of cysts and tumors that can destroy part of the jaw. Extraction of wisdom teeth is an outpatient procedure.

The average adult has 32 teeth by the age of 18. However, the average mouth can only accommodate 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four teeth are your third molars, also know as wisdom teeth.

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Should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not always happen.

Wisdom teeth should be removed when they do not properly erupt in the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. They can take many positions as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned teeth can cause many problems, including:
• infection
• misalignment of teeth
• tumors or cysts
• permanent damage to teeth

Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early wisdom teeth removal is recommended to avoid problems and decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, we can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Extraction of wisdom teeth is an outpatient procedure. All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort.

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