Although some people have plenty of space for wisdom teeth, or your third molars, others require wisdom teeth extraction to maximize oral health and prevent complications. Phuong Le, DMD, and the experienced dental staff at Le Dentistry & Associates evaluate or remove wisdom teeth if necessary to restore your beautiful smile and ease any pain. Call the Norcross, Georgia, office for a dental evaluation today or schedule an appointment online.

request an appointment

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or your third molars, are a set of molars that often erupt between individuals 17-21 years old.

They aid in chewing if wisdom teeth erupt as they should, but problems can develop if your mouth isn’t large enough or if the teeth erupt in the wrong position. Impacted wisdom teeth can get trapped under the gums or grow into adjacent teeth.

What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?

Everybody is different, but if you experience the following symptoms, your dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth:

  • Infection
  • Cysts
  • Jaw pain or swelling
  • Damage to adjacent teeth
  • Gum disease or red, swollen gums
  • Tumors
  • Tooth decay
  • Bad breath or an unpleasant taste
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Difficult opening your mouth

It’s normal to experience slight discomfort during wisdom teeth eruption, even if they come in as they should. Before deciding to remove wisdom teeth, your provider takes X-rays and examines your mouth.

What are the complications of impacted wisdom teeth?

If impacted wisdom teeth aren’t removed, they can cause numerous complications. They may push against other teeth and damage them. Your mouth can become too crowded, and partially impacted wisdom teeth put you at risk of tooth decay, or cavities, and gum disease.

What should I expect during wisdom teeth extraction?

If you require wisdom teeth removal, your dentist lets you know what to expect. It’s an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day of surgery. You’ll be given sedation, local anesthesia, or general anesthesia, so you feel comfortable during the procedure.

Your dentist makes an incision in your gums, removes the teeth, stitches your wounds closed, and places gauze in the empty spaces.

You might experience some bleeding, swelling, or pain after the procedure, but your dentist gives you aftercare instructions to manage these symptoms and optimize healing.

You can use a cold compress to reduce swelling or take medications to manage pain. You’ll follow a soft foods diet initially after wisdom teeth extraction.

Don’t let wisdom teeth become painful or shift your adjacent teeth. Call Le Dentistry & Associates at the first sign of impacted wisdom teeth, or schedule an appointment online today.