Safe, comfortable removal of impacted and erupted third molars by a double board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people develop in their late teens or early twenties. While some individuals have no issues with their wisdom teeth, the majority of people do not have enough room in their jaw for them to emerge properly.
When this happens, the teeth can become impacted, partially erupted, or misaligned, leading to pain, infection, and potential damage to adjacent teeth. Extraction is one of the most common oral surgery procedures performed today. Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S. provides safe, comfortable removal with anesthesia options tailored to your needs.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop and typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. In many cases, the jaw simply does not have enough room to accommodate them, which can lead to impaction, crowding of adjacent teeth, infection, cyst formation, and damage to neighboring roots. Even wisdom teeth that appear to have erupted normally can be difficult to clean and may become prone to decay and gum disease over time.
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that fails to fully emerge through the gum tissue because it is blocked by bone, other teeth, or dense soft tissue. Impacted teeth can grow at an angle toward the adjacent molar, toward the back of the mouth, or even sideways within the jawbone. Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth and bone.
Before the extraction, your surgeon will take X-rays or a 3D scan to evaluate the position and root structure of your wisdom teeth. On the day of the procedure, anesthesia is administered to ensure your comfort. The surgeon then makes a small incision in the gum tissue if necessary, removes any bone that blocks access to the tooth, and carefully extracts the tooth. The site is cleaned, and sutures are placed if needed to promote healing.
During the procedure you will not feel pain thanks to anesthesia, which can range from local anesthesia to IV sedation or general anesthesia depending on the complexity of the case and your comfort level. After the procedure, some swelling, mild bruising, and soreness are normal and typically peak around the second or third day. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient, though prescription pain relief may be provided for more complex extractions.
Most patients return to normal activities within three to five days. During the first 24 hours, rest is recommended, along with a soft food diet and gentle rinsing. Swelling can be managed with ice packs applied to the outside of the jaw. Your surgeon will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including what to eat, how to keep the extraction sites clean, and signs to watch for. Full healing of the underlying bone and soft tissue typically takes several weeks.
While wisdom teeth can be removed at any age, the ideal time is typically during the late teens to early twenties. At this stage the roots are not yet fully formed, the surrounding bone is softer, and recovery tends to be faster with fewer complications. Your surgeon will evaluate your individual case and recommend the best timing based on the position and development of your third molars.
Leaving problematic wisdom teeth in place can lead to recurring infections of the surrounding gum tissue, decay in the wisdom tooth or adjacent teeth, cyst or tumor formation around the impacted tooth, damage to the roots of neighboring molars, and progressive crowding of your existing teeth. Early evaluation helps identify potential issues before they become more complex and costly to treat.
Early evaluation helps identify potential issues before they become more complex. Contact Us to discuss wisdom teeth removal with our team.
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