Between the ages of 16 and 21, most adults have 32 teeth: 16 on the top and 16 on the bottom. But our mouths are naturally built to comfortably accommodate only 28 teeth. Each tooth plays a unique role: the front teeth (incisors, canines, and bicuspids) help grasp and tear food, while the molars at the back grind food into smaller, swallowable pieces. Beyond the molars lie the wisdom teeth, which for many people can cause problems because there often isn’t enough room in the mouth for them to come in properly without affecting neighboring teeth.
Book OnlineTo avoid future complications, we often recommend removing wisdom teeth preventively. This procedure is usually done under sedation, so you won’t feel discomfort during the extraction. Some patients opt to keep their wisdom teeth, but this can lead to issues like teeth growing sideways, only partially emerging, or being stuck beneath the gum and bone—sometimes causing significant pain as the tooth tries to find a way to emerge.
Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create an opening that traps bacteria, leading to infections that cause swelling, stiffness, pain, and even illness. The pressure from erupting wisdom teeth may shift your other teeth, disrupting the alignment you’ve worked hard to achieve naturally or through orthodontics. In more severe cases, cysts or tumors can form around impacted wisdom teeth. Removing these teeth early helps prevent these serious problems.
Most patients start discussing their wisdom teeth between ages 14 and 16 with their dentist, orthodontist, or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. With a thorough exam and x-rays, our trusted dental team at DDS Group assesses the position of your wisdom teeth and predicts any current or future concerns. Wisdom teeth removal is usually performed under local anesthesia, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), or general anesthesia—options we carefully review with you along with any possible risks, such as nerve or sinus complications. Before proceeding, we evaluate your overall oral health to ensure that extraction supports your long-term dental wellbeing.
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