Signs You May Need Wisdom Tooth Removal

• Pain or pressure in the back of the mouth
• Swelling or tenderness around the jaw
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Repeated infections around a partially erupted wisdom tooth
• Crowding of other teeth
• Cyst formation around an impacted tooth
• Decay in a wisdom tooth that is difficult to clean

Types of Wisdom Tooth Impaction

Mesial impaction: Tooth is angled toward the front of the mouth — most common. Vertical impaction: Tooth is upright but cannot fully erupt. Horizontal impaction: Tooth is lying on its side. Distal impaction: Tooth is angled toward the back of the mouth. Soft tissue impaction: Crown has erupted but gum tissue covers part of the tooth. Bony impaction: Tooth is completely enclosed in the jawbone.

The Removal Procedure

We administer local anesthesia to numb the area. For impacted teeth, a small incision is made in the gum and any bone covering the tooth is removed. The tooth may be divided into sections for easier removal. The site is cleaned and sutured if necessary. The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes for all four wisdom teeth.

Recovery

Most patients recover in 3-5 days. Swelling peaks at 48-72 hours and then subsides. Eat soft foods for the first week. Avoid smoking, straws, and vigorous rinsing for 72 hours. Take prescribed medications as directed. Call us if you experience severe pain after day 3, fever, or signs of infection.