You will need to have your wisdom teeth removed when your dentist or oral surgeon determines they are either already impacted or could potentially cause complications. In addition, many people remove their wisdom teeth during their late teens or early 20s, even if they aren’t causing problems. This preemptively eliminates the possibility of complications related to improperly erupted wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common procedures we perform at Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery. Our skilled oral surgery team works closely with patients to ensure they have a comfortable, positive experience. We prioritize patient education to support each patient’s informed decision-making process.
Signs of impacted wisdom teeth
The wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the very back of the mouth. They are the last teeth to erupt (break through the gums), typically during a person’s late teens to early 20s. Quite often, there isn’t enough room at the back of the mouth for the wisdom teeth to erupt correctly. When this happens, the teeth may only partially break through the gums, or they might not break through at all. This condition is known as wisdom tooth impaction. Some common signs of wisdom tooth impaction include the following:
- Pain of the jaw and mouth
- Red, swollen gums
- Bad breath
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw
- Problems opening the mouth
If you have impacted wisdom teeth, you will need them removed promptly. Otherwise, they will continue to cause pain and other unpleasant symptoms. In addition, leaving them in place will elevate the risk of complications, including damage to the adjacent teeth and an increased risk of gum disease.
Removing wisdom teeth that may become problematic
Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t yet impacted, your oral surgeon will recommend removing them if there is a risk that they will become impacted. Since there is no immediate danger in this situation, you have some flexibility in determining exactly when to get them removed. It’s common to schedule wisdom tooth removal for school vacations, such as spring break. This allows for plenty of time for the patient to fully recover before returning to school.
Reasons to opt for preemptive wisdom teeth removal
Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t currently impacted, and there are no signs that they could cause problems any time soon, you may opt to get them removed regardless. This is a personal decision to be made in collaboration with your oral surgeon. At Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery, we often recommend proactive wisdom teeth removal because it eliminates the possibility of suffering from the pain of tooth impaction later. It also eliminates the possibility of other complications, such as an increased risk of fluid-filled cysts, gum disease, damage to adjacent teeth, and benign tumors.
There is another reason why our oral surgeons frequently recommend preemptive removal. Patients who are younger have an easier and faster recovery than patients who are older. Furthermore, there is a reduced risk of surgical complications. In older patients, the wisdom teeth have matured roots. This worsens the difficulty of removing them and increases the risk of problems.
Schedule a wisdom teeth removal consultation today
The highly trained oral surgeons at Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery are available for wisdom teeth removal consultations for Bucks County, PA residents. You can schedule an appointment at our locations in Newtown or Feasterville by calling 215-322-7810. Our patients are often pleasantly surprised to discover that our procedures are designed to optimize patient comfort. We look forward to helping you enjoy a positive experience.