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When Should Wisdom Teeth be Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt and often appear during the teen years or early 20s. Wisdom tooth removal is common, but is not always necessary. Dr. Shamoiel will help you decide if you are a candidate for a wisdom tooth extraction.

If your wisdom teeth fully erupt, are healthy, are properly aligned, and easy to clean, they may not need to be removed.

Extraction

Many people simply do not have enough room in their jaws to accommodate these teeth. Also wisdom teeth can erupt at abnormal angles or crowd the other teeth, pushing them out of alignment. In some cases, they are unable to fully erupt, which provides bacteria and debris an opportunity to accumulate.

If your wisdom teeth erupt improperly or your jaw is too small to accommodate them, we might suggest extracting them. This is generally a routine procedure that reduces the risk of infection, abscess, cysts, damage to adjacent teeth, tooth decay, and gum disease. This procedure will often be performed with a local anesthetic. Heavier sedation may be appropriate if you are having all your wisdom teeth extracted at once.

After Extraction Care

After the procedure, you may need to use antibiotics and pain medications to reduce the risk of complications or to ensure your comfort as you heal.

Contact our office today to learn more about your wisdom tooth treatment options at Sweet Tooth Dental Center.