Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Why wisdom teeth often need to come out

Wisdom teeth — the third molars at the back of your mouth — typically erupt between ages 17 and 25. Many people do not have enough room in their jaw for them to come in correctly. The result is impaction: the tooth gets stuck under the gum or comes in at an angle, pressing against neighboring teeth.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infections, cysts, and damage to adjacent teeth. In patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, they can also undermine the results by putting pressure on the rest of the arch.

When extraction is recommended

We typically recommend removing wisdom teeth when they are:

• Fully or partially impacted and causing pain or repeated infections
• Growing at an angle that puts neighboring teeth at risk
• Impossible to clean properly, making them a cavity risk
• Part of a pre-orthodontic assessment where they may interfere with treatment

Not all wisdom teeth need to come out. If yours have erupted normally, are fully functional, and can be cleaned without difficulty, we may simply monitor them.

What to expect during the procedure

The extraction is performed under local anesthesia, which means you will be awake but will not feel pain — only pressure and movement. For patients who are very anxious, we can discuss sedation options.

Simple extractions take 15–30 minutes per tooth. Surgical cases involving impacted teeth may take longer. We explain exactly what we will do before we start, so there are no surprises.

Recovery

Most patients recover comfortably within three to five days. We provide detailed written aftercare instructions and are available to answer questions. The key rules in the first 48 hours:

• Bite gently on gauze to control bleeding
• Avoid rinsing, spitting forcefully, or using a straw (these can dislodge the clot)
• Eat soft foods and keep the area clean with gentle saltwater rinses from day two
• Take prescribed or recommended pain relief as directed