While some people never experience problems related to wisdom teeth, the majority of people benefit from having these pesky guys removed. Wisdom teeth are a set of molars that typically grow in around the age of twenty. Unfortunately, many people do not have the space in their mouth to comfortably accommodate these extra teeth and need to have them removed to avoid dental problems down the line.

(But wait, if most of us don’t have room in our mouths for wisdom teeth, why do we have them at all? Scientists hypothesize that wisdom teeth developed as a result of our distant ancestors’ diet of rough, tough food (think roots, nuts, meat, and leaves) which required more chewing and thus wore down teeth more quickly. Today, though, our diet is (usually) far easier on our teeth, so we just don’t need these extra chompers.)

At Green Lake Dental, we conduct a thorough oral examination and x-rays to determine when and if wisdom teeth removal is necessary for the patient, and even perform the removal in-office. Ideally, the initial examination would happen when the patient is in their early- to mid-teenage years, before the roots of the wisdom teeth have had time to fully develop.

Questions about wisdom teeth removal? Keep reading or give us a call today!

Removing wisdom teeth can help you avoid dental problems down the road…

While it is not the most fun activity in the world, removing wisdom teeth now can help you avoid much more serious dental issues later. If wisdom teeth are “impacted,” it means they are too crowded by other teeth to fully erupt through the gums. If not removed, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, inflammation, and movement of surrounding teeth as the wisdom tooth tries to get through.

Other potential side effects of failure to remove wisdom teeth include pericoronitis (gum infection), cyst formation, and movement of surrounding teeth. Patients who wait until their 30s and beyond to get examined for possible wisdom teeth removal are much more likely to experience these side effects, so don’t wait! Give us a call to schedule your examination today.

What to expect from wisdom teeth removal

After a thorough oral examination, including x-rays, to determine the location of the wisdom teeth, we will work with you to schedule a date for removal. Most patients prefer to be sedated during wisdom teeth removal, and we will discuss your sedation options with you  beforehand.

On the day of the removal, we will administer the appropriate anesthesia and perform the removal. This is a one-day procedure and usually takes about an hour or two. When you awake, we will provide you with appropriate pain management and you will be able to go home to rest and recover.

PLEASE NOTE: you will NOT be able to drive yourself home after this surgery, so be sure to bring a friend or loved one who can see you safely home.

The recovery process differs depending on the person, but you can expect to experience facial swelling for anywhere from a couple days to a week. This is normal. You should feel better and able to move around within one to three days after the surgery, and we will schedule an appointment for several weeks out to remove stitches and check on your recovery process.

Common Wisdom Teeth Removal Questions

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a set of molars that typically grow in between the ages of 17 and 21. While some people’s mouths have enough room to accommodate these teeth, most people benefit from having them removed, thus avoiding future dental issues.

Why should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth can cause issues if there is not enough room for them to fully emerge in the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth, or those that are too crowded to fully grow in, can lead to inflammation, cyst formation, and movement of surrounding teeth. Dentists usually perform an oral examination on a patient when they are a young adult to determine if the wisdom teeth will need to be removed.

What can happen if I don’t have my wisdom teeth removed?

Some people do not experience any adverse effects from their wisdom teeth. However, many people do not have enough room in their mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow in fully, which can cause a range of issues. Impacted wisdom teeth – or those that do not have enough room to grow in – can lead to inflammation, cyst formation, and movement of surrounding teeth. Wisdom teeth removal is best performed on teenage and young adult patients before the wisdom teeth have had time to grow full-sized roots and before the jaw bone becomes too dense. Adults over 30 who have their wisdom teeth removed may experience a longer recovery period, but can still benefit from this procedure.

How do I know if I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?

Make an appointment with your dentist! They will perform an oral examination to determine if and when your wisdom teeth should be removed. At Green Lake Dental, provide wisdom teeth removal services in-office.

What can I expect when I get my wisdom teeth removed?

After a thorough oral examination, including x-rays, to determine the location of the wisdom teeth, we will work with you to schedule a date for removal. Most patients prefer to be sedated during wisdom teeth removal, and we will discuss your sedation options with you  beforehand.

On the day of the removal, we will administer the appropriate anesthesia and perform the removal. This is a one-day procedure and usually takes about an hour or two. When you awake, we will provide you with appropriate pain management and you will be able to go home to rest and recover.

PLEASE NOTE: you will NOT be able to drive yourself home after this surgery, so be sure to bring a friend or loved one who can see you safely home.

The recovery process differs depending on the person, but you can expect to experience facial swelling for anywhere from a couple days to a week. This is normal. You should feel better and able to move around within one to three days after the surgery, and we will schedule an appointment for several weeks out to remove stitches and check on your recovery process.

Will I be put under anesthesia when my wisdom teeth are removed?

That is up to you. We can provide either local anesthesia (numbing only the mouth but keeping you awake) or full anesthesia when performing wisdom teeth removal. Most people prefer to be under full anesthesia during this procedure. When you schedule your removal, we will discuss your anesthesia options with you.

Will getting my wisdom teeth removed hurt?

If you choose Green Lake Dental for your wisdom teeth removal, we will do everything possible to ensure your comfort before, during, and after the procedure. Most people decide to be under full anesthesia during the procedure, but we do also offer a local anesthetic option (numbing only the mouth while the patient remains awake). We will also discuss post-operative pain management options with you to ensure your recovery is as efficient and comfortable as possible.

What if I didn’t have my wisdom teeth removed as a young person?

If you are over 30 years of age and need to have your wisdom teeth removed, be aware that you may experience a prolonged recovery period. This is due to the fact that, over time, the roots of your wisdom teeth have had time to grow and become embedded in the dense bone of the jaw. This makes the surgery more complicated and, again, results in a longer recovery period. However, wisdom teeth removal at any age is still the best option for most people to avoid further dental issues down the road.

How much does it cost to have my wisdom teeth removed?

The cost of wisdom teeth removal surgery depends on whether you have dental insurance and, if you do, what it covers. Each case is different, so give us a call today to discuss your options.

Will my insurance cover wisdom teeth removal?
Whether or not your insurance covers wisdom teeth removal depends, well, on your insurance! Give us a call today to discuss your options.