Wisdom teeth often cause complications due to a lack of space in the jaw, leading to impaction, crowding, or infection. At Warren Oral Surgery, we have extensive experience evaluating and treating wisdom teeth issues to prevent long-term oral health problems. Our team of six skilled surgeons provides expert care using advanced techniques to ensure a comfortable and efficient extraction process. We are committed to patient-centered care, minimizing discomfort, and promoting a smooth recovery for every patient.
What Issues Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?
You might not think much about your wisdom teeth until they start causing trouble. These late-blooming molars often do not have enough space to grow properly, which can lead to discomfort and a variety of dental issues. These issues may include the following:
- Crowding can occur when there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth to come in, causing them to crowd other teeth in the jaw.
- As a result of crowding, some patients may suffer from misalignment caused by the wisdom teeth moving already grown-in teeth out of place.
- Wisdom teeth that are partially or fully impacted can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in a patient’s jaw.
- If the wisdom teeth come in against the sinus cavity, this can cause headaches and congestion for patients.
- When the wisdom teeth are partially erupted, they can trap food and bacteria, leading to infections like pericoronitis, which is an infection of the gum around the tooth.
- If the wisdom teeth push against other teeth, they can cause damage to those other teeth in the mouth.
- Wisdom teeth can sometimes form cysts, leading to damage to the jawbone, teeth, and nerves.
- In highly rare cases, wisdom teeth can sometimes lead to the development of tumors in the area around where the teeth become impacted.
While some patients experience many of the above symptoms and dental issues, others may not notice when their wisdom teeth appear. This is why it is important for you to seek the advice of one of our skilled oral surgeons, who can help you determine the best plan of action for your wise moving of your wisdom teeth and keeping it healthy and bright!
When is it Time to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?
If you have ever felt a twinge of discomfort in the back of your mouth, you might have wondered if it is time to remove your wisdom teeth. These late-arriving molars can often be a source of confusion. Sometimes, they grow in without causing any issues, while other times, they lead to pain, crowding, or even infections.
So, how do you know when it is time to have them removed? It is not always a straightforward decision, but understanding the signs your wisdom teeth might be causing problems and speaking with one of our educated oral surgeons can help guide you. Some of the common symptoms that it is time to book an appointment with our oral surgeons and discuss options for removal include the following:
- You have pain in or near your wisdom teeth
- You have been diagnosed with gum disease
- You have tooth decay
- You find that you have cysts around your wisdom teeth
- Your wisdom teeth are impacted or partially or fully trapped in your jawbone or gums
- Your wisdom teeth grew in crooked or sideways
- You find food or debris frequently becomes trapped around your wisdom teeth
- There is damage to nearby teeth or surrounding bone in the jaw
- You are experiencing jaw issues that make it hard to open and close your jaw
To learn more about when it may be time for wisdom teeth removal, contact our office, and we will be happy to provide you with more information!
What is an impacted tooth?
Although most people develop and grow 32 permanent adult teeth, their jaws are too small to accommodate the four wisdom teeth. When inadequate space prevents the teeth from erupting, they are called impacted wisdom teeth. This indicates their inability to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning.
We will need to see you for a consultation to determine if you will benefit from wisdom tooth removal. A special X-ray of your mouth and jaws (panorex) will be taken to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted, if there is room for them to erupt, and how difficult it will be to have them removed.
- Soft Tissue Impaction: There is not enough room to allow the gum tissue to retract for adequate cleaning of the tooth.
- Partial Bony Impaction: There is enough space to allow the wisdom tooth to partially erupt. However, the tooth cannot function properly in the chewing process, and creates cleaning problems, among others.
- Complete Bony Impaction: There is NO space for the tooth to erupt. It remains embedded in the jawbone or if even partially visible, requires complex surgical techniques for removal. The impacted wisdom tooth may also be in an unusual position and difficult to remove. This situation can also arise when the shape or size of the jawbone and other facial structures make removal of this tooth significantly more complex.
Oral Examination for Extraction of Wisdom Teeth/Third Molars
With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, our oral surgeons can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or future potential problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Our doctors are trained, licensed, and highly experienced in providing various types of anesthesia for patients.
The most frequent clinical problem we see is pericoronitis (a localized gum infection). Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth can become irritated and infected, resulting in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.
Cyst Formation:Non-infectious diseases may also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled “balloons” inside the jawbone that develop as a result of impacted teeth and slowly expand, destroying adjacent jawbone and occasionally teeth. They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.
Damage to Adjacent Teeth:If there is inadequate room to clean around the wisdom tooth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected, resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and/or decay.
What if I don’t have my wisdom teeth removed as a teenager or young adult?
As wisdom teeth develop, the roots become longer and the jawbone denser. When it is necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth in your thirties, forties, or beyond, the post-operative course can be prolonged, and there is a higher complication rate. Treating these complications is often more difficult and less predictable than with a younger patient. Healing may be slower, and the chance of infection can be increased. If your impacted wisdom teeth are not removed in your teenage years or early in your twenties and they are completely impacted in bone, it may be advisable to wait until a localized problem (such as cyst formation or localized gum disease and bone loss) develops. In general, you will heal faster, more predictably, and have fewer complications if treated in your teens or early twenties.
What happens on the day wisdom teeth are removed?
Most people prefer to be unaware of the experience when they have their wisdom teeth removed and usually decide to be sedated. You will be provided with appropriate anesthesia options at your consultation. All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize your comfort. Our office staff has the training, licensing, and experience to provide the various types of anesthesia. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment and a well-trained, experienced staff. The Surgical Care Team, the office facilities, and the doctors are inspected on behalf of the Board of Dental Examiners on a regular basis.
On the day of your procedure, you will take medications to help minimize post-operative pain and swelling. We ask that a parent or responsible adult accompany you to the office and plans to stay with you for the rest of the day. The procedure will take about 30 to 60 minutes, and you will probably be in the office for 90 minutes. Recent advances in medicine and technology allow patients to undergo wisdom tooth removal in a manner that promotes rapid healing and minimal post-operative discomfort. State-of-the-art sterilization and infection control techniques are used at all times.
In the morning or afternoon of your surgery, it is essential that you have nothing to eat or drink (excluding prescription medications with a sip of water) for at least 6 hours (preferably longer). This does not mean you should try to fit in one “last meal” exactly six hours before your surgery. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk of serious anesthetic complications, including nausea and vomiting. Your procedure will be rescheduled if you have not heeded these guidelines. We may provide you with a prescription for pain medication at your consultation appointment, which for your convenience, can be filled in advance. When you are seated in the surgical room, we will make every effort to make you as comfortable as possible. If you are going to be sedated, we usually will place an IV in your left arm. This is a quick and nearly painless procedure that ensures optimal delivery of your medication. Local anesthesia is given to you afterward to ensure comfort and allow adequate time to travel home and rest. You will be sleepy for a significant portion of the day.
If your surgery requires stitches, these are usually the type that dissolve in 3 to 5 days and do not require removal. You may also notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of the normal recovery and will subside in several days.
Once the local anesthesia wears off, you may require prescription pain medication. Please try non-narcotic anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®) first, to see if that adequately treats your pain. If not, begin your other prescription pain medication. The local anesthesia may last until the following day, and should not be confused with an injury to your nerve. We recommend starting your post-operative diet with clear liquids such as jello and broths, gradually increasing in substance as your body permits.
We do not recommend using dairy products such as yogurt, ice cream, or milkshakes on the day of surgery, as nausea and vomiting may develop in conjunction with the anesthetic and pain medication. If you are given antibiotics and you take birth control pills, please be aware that birth control pills might become ineffective and take appropriate precautions.
What does wisdom tooth removal cost, and is it covered by insurance?
The fee for your treatment is determined by a number of factors. These may include the difficulty involved in removing your teeth and which type of anesthesia is best for you. During your consultation appointment, the surgeon will need to review your x-rays, complete an examination, and determine the best option for anesthesia, before an accurate estimate can be provided. Every insurance company has a different policy regarding the extent of coverage for a given surgical procedure. The oral surgeon’s office staff will help you obtain maximum insurance coverage for your treatment. Learn more about the cost of wisdom teeth removal.
What if I have questions before surgery?
At the time of your consultation, your specific situation will be discussed in greater detail. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have. If new questions arise after your consultation, please call our office at (908) 520-2694 to speak to one of our patient care coordinators.