While some people have space in their jaws for wisdom teeth to grow into normally, the majority of people’s mouths are too small to accommodate the last four molars that develop. The teeth become trapped or “impacted” underneath the gums or bone tissue and will not successfully grow into your mouth.
Impacted teeth are usually noticed at a young age during your routine dental exams. Studies show that wisdom teeth can cause problems over your lifetime, and although you may not have symptoms currently, there could be issues going on underneath the surface that will become problematic if not treated properly.
Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction even if they are not causing pain or discomfort. The reason dentists recommend removal at a younger age is because the roots of the wisdom teeth do not fully develop until around 18-21 years old. Once the roots have fully grown, they are positioned closer to important structures such as nerves and other teeth, which makes removing them more complicated.
Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth can be growing at an angle and pushing against your other molars, causing infections and problems that may result in removing more than just the wisdom tooth if not detected early.
Removing wisdom teeth can help prevent pain and infection, gum disease and bone loss, damage to neighboring teeth, and the formation of bone cysts.
Some signs that your wisdom teeth may be causing you problems include bad breath and foul taste, swollen or bleeding gums, difficulty opening your mouth, or pain that radiates to the side of your face.
During your first visit, we will perform a thorough exam and take any necessary X-rays or 3D scans to evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth and discuss any problems they may be causing.
Most patients perform this procedure under an IV sedation which puts you in a comfortable sleep-like state that allows you to respond to your surgeon without remembering or feeling any discomfort.
Our specialists are board certified in anesthesia and strive to make your experience as comfortable as possible both during and after your surgery.
We also offer a non-opioid option for pain relief after surgery. If you are interested, ask your surgeon how EXPAREL®️ can help make your recovery more comfortable.