Wisdom teeth or, "third molars" are the last set of teeth that you can expect to appear in your mouth. In some cases, the growth of these teeth can be painful and they are all but unnecessary when chewing. They usually appear in the late teens or early twenties, but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease. Wisdom teeth are typically removed in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the teeth's roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier as well as shorten the recovery time.
Our office specializes in wisdom teeth removal under sedation. Sedation can be a good option for wisdom teeth removal to ensure our patients remain calm and comfortable. Knowing the patient is not experiencing pain or anxiety during an extraction also allows the dentist to work more quickly and effectively.