Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom tooth extractions are often one of the first encounters a person has with surgery of any kind. For many, the idea of surgery causes anxiety, but our team is here to ensure that having your wisdom teeth removed is nothing to worry about. If you're the type who wants to really understand the who, what, when, why and how of it all before scheduling your initial appointment, then you're in the right place.
Let's walk through the process together.
The Role of Wisdom Tooth Removal in Oral Health
Spoiler alert: not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. This is why our board-certified oral surgeon will review a panoramic x-ray of your full mouth and evaluate whether you have the space to accommodate your 3rd molars when they erupt. Many adults have the space to allow for all of their wisdom teeth to come in without issue: but with extra teeth comes extra oral hygiene responsibility.
The reason most of us have our 3rd molars removed in adolescence is because we've simply evolved to adapt to a new diet that doesn't require those extra molars for mastication (chewing). Mouths are smaller than they once were, and with less space, we have to make room for your teeth, and many people consider it not cosmetically pleasing. About 80-95% of Americans have their wisdom teeth removed for this reason, or a few others, and the most common time is between the ages of 15 and 30. When you're young, your body is able to heal more quickly.
What Is A Dental Implant?
The three main components you can expect to receive as part of having a dental implant placed are:
1) The Implant
a dental implant is the tooth "root" replacement
2) The Abutment
An abutment connects the crown to the dental implant. There are two types of abutments you need to be aware of: Healing and Final
3) The Crown
The crown is what you most likely think of when you think "tooth". There are two types of crowns you need to be aware of: Temporary and Final
Check This Out
In this panoramic x-ray, we can see two wisdom teeth that are what we call "fully impacted". This means that the entire tooth is below the gum and bone line and has either not yet erupted or cannot erupt properly. That's not unusual for a tooth that hasn't erupted, but what is important about this patient is that we can see that they don't have the space for all of those molars to move into place. The top molars would run into the crown of the 2nd molars if they were to come down, and the lower molars are "mispositioned", which means that they aren't in the proper position for a tooth in a 'well-aligned jaw'. Those 3rd molars can cause problems for teeth #2 and #31 (the 2nd molars they’re pushing into) by putting pressure on a part of the tooth that isn’t designed to withstand that type of force, unlike the top-down pressure your teeth experience during normal chewing, like the top-down force chewing puts on your teeth, for example.
Common Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Removal
1
"Malposition"- wisdom teeth can be what dentists refer to as 'malposed', meaning that the tooth is positioned in such a way that isn't upright. It may be that it is erupting at an angle into the roots or crown of an adjacent tooth. When wisdom teeth are malposed and erupting, it can cause discomfort and damage to the neighboring molar. Being that wisdom teeth are impacted (refer to our x-ray above) before they erupt, it isn't possible for an orthodontist to fix the position of these teeth so that they aren't affecting other healthy teeth.
2
"Impaction"- before any tooth erupts it is covered by gum tissue and jawbone. For wisdom teeth this can lead to trouble when the teeth begin to push themselves through that tissue into your smile line. often, the mouth is too small to accommodate our third set of molars. Not having enough space to erupt will result in either a 'partial bony impaction' or a 'full bony impaction', of any or all of the wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth without room to move can lead to jaw pain, toothaches, pain when eating or brushing, swelling and infection
3
"Decay and / or Caries"- for some, wisdom teeth erupt perfectly well and can be relied upon to act as healthy teeth for any number of years; however, erupted wisdom teeth are susceptible to decay and caries. Thsoe third molars reside in the farthest corners of your mouth making them difficult to clean with even the best regular brushing habits. Lack of routine oral hygiene is the top cause of caries- cavities- followed secondly by diet. When you combine an adulthood of acidic coffees, office breakroom birthday cakes, and snack foods that like to cling to your enamel, like potato chips, it makes sense that adults find their way to the dental chair for wisdom tooth extractions even after decades of faithful service by those extra molars.
Wisdom teeth are considered malposed when they develop or erupt in an abnormal position instead of coming in straight and upright. A malposed wisdom tooth may be tilted forward, angled sideways, or positioned directly against the second molar in front of it.
When this happens, the wisdom tooth can place pressure against the crown or roots of an otherwise healthy neighboring tooth. It can also create tight, difficult-to-clean spaces where food and bacteria collect, increasing the risk of decay, gum inflammation, infection, and damage to the adjacent molar.
Unlike other teeth that can often be repositioned with orthodontic treatment, impacted wisdom teeth develop within the jawbone in these unfavorable positions before they fully erupt. Braces or aligners generally cannot correct their position or redirect them into a healthy path of eruption. When a wisdom tooth is malposed and threatens the health of a neighboring tooth, removal may be recommended to prevent damage before it occurs or progresses.
Before teeth erupt, they develop beneath the gums and within the jawbone. As wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they need enough space to move into a healthy position behind the second molars. When there isn’t enough room, a wisdom tooth can become “impacted,” meaning it is unable to fully erupt into the mouth.
Depending on how much of the tooth remains trapped within the jaw, it may be considered a partial bony impaction or a full bony impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth can remain completely beneath the gums or partially emerge, creating areas that are difficult to keep clean and allowing bacteria to collect.
Over time, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to pain or pressure in the back of the jaw, swelling, tenderness when chewing or brushing, gum inflammation, infection, and damage to neighboring teeth. Because these problems can develop even when an impacted tooth is not currently causing symptoms, your oral surgeon may recommend removal before complications occur.
For some people, wisdom teeth erupt normally and function as healthy teeth for many years. However, their position at the very back of the mouth can make them difficult to brush and floss thoroughly, even with good oral hygiene habits. This allows plaque and food debris to accumulate in areas that are difficult to reach, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Diet can further contribute to decay, particularly frequent exposure to acidic drinks, sugars, and starchy foods that remain on the teeth. As a result, even wisdom teeth that have been healthy for decades can eventually develop significant decay and require removal.
Common Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Removal
Your Wisdom Tooth Removal Experience
Wisdom tooth removal is typically a smooth and predictable process - click the arrows to learn more
STEP 1
Recognizing you need your wisdom teeth removed
There are three common ways you might come to realize your wisdom teeth need to be removed:
1. You're advised by your general dentist or dental specialist
2. You're experiencing pain associated with eruption
3. You know that most people have their wisdom teeth removed at some point_edited.png)
STEP 2
Schedule A Consultation with an Oral Surgeon
If you're unfamiliar with wisdom tooth removal treatment, i.e. surgical extraction, you should start with discussing your case with an oral surgeon. Every patient is just a little bit different when it comes to wisdom teeth. Factors like the number of wisdom teeth you have, the stage of eruption of each tooth, the position of each tooth, etc. will contribute to your treatment plan. These factors will also play a role in possible complications, though serious complications are rare.
Your oral surgeon will evaluate these factors using a panoramic radiograph, or PAN. Panoramic x-rays are two-dimensional images of the full upper and lower jaws. These images capture all of the detail of each tooth from crown to root tip, their position relative to one another, bone density, and proximity to important structures like facial nerves and arteries. Having an accurate picture of your mouth allows your surgeon to most carefully plan the extraction of each wisdom tooth in the least risky traumatic method possible.
After reviewing your x-ray with you, your surgeon will diagnose each third molar as erupted, partially impacted or fully impacted. These diagnosis codes are used to generate a treatment plan that outlines your recommended procedure.
STEP 3
Schedule Surgery
Depending on the reason you consulted to have your wisdom teeth removed, you may be eager to schedule surgery or you may be inclined to wait until a time that is better suited to you financially, medically, or otherwise. In most cases, surgery isn't so urgent unless directed expressly by your surgeon you should feel comfortable taking your time deciding when you're ready for surgery.
The extraction of each tooth will depend on the level of impaction, but to keep things simple, click the button below to see a step-by-step overview of surgeries completed with IV sedation- this is the most common approach for extracting all four wisdom teeth in a single surgery
If you've searched "wisdom tooth removal near me," you've probably seen just how many choices there are- but not all providers offer the same level of expertise. The key difference comes down to training. Oral surgeons specialize in surgical procedures like wisdom tooth removal and have advanced training in managing complex cases, such as impacted teeth or those positioned near nerves or sinuses. While many general dentists perform extractions, they often refer patients to an oral surgeon when the case requires a higher level of precision of care. Choosing a specialist ensures you're in the best hands for a smooth, safe experience.
Why Patients Trust NAOS
Don't let troublesome wisdom teeth hold you back. At New Albany Oral and Facial Surgery, we're here to make your experience as smooth and painless as possible, regardless of age. The expertise of our surgeon, cutting-edge technology, and gentle care ensure you'll be back to your best self in no time.
New Albany Oral and Facial Surgery offers the most advanced surgical techniques and integrative medical procedures, providing the ultimate patient experience. Outside of the surgical suite, the NAOMS team focuses on the following pillars of care:
When it comes to wisdom teeth removal, experience matters. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialists in the surgical removal of teeth, with advanced training in surgery and anesthesia beyond dental school. That expertise is particularly important when wisdom teeth are impacted, developing at an angle, or positioned near important structures such as nerves or the sinus.
Why Patients Trust NAOS
At New Albany Oral & Facial Surgery, wisdom tooth removal is a routine part of the specialized care we provide. Our providers have the training and experience to manage everything from straightforward extractions to complex impactions, supported by advanced imaging, anesthesia options, and a surgical team focused on patient safety and comfort.
Whether you’ve been referred by your dentist or are coming to us directly, you don’t have to wait for wisdom teeth to become painful to see a specialist. We can evaluate their position and development, discuss whether removal is appropriate, and create a treatment plan specific to you.
Say Goodbye to Wisdom Teeth | in 3 Steps
Understand Your Case
Our team works closely with your surgeon to make sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect before moving forward with surgery. That process begins with high-quality diagnostic imaging, which allows your surgeon to evaluate the position of your teeth and surrounding anatomy and plan your care with precision. During your consultation, your surgeon will review the findings from your exam and imaging with you, and your patient care coordinator will help guide you through the next steps. We encourage you to use this time to ask questions, understanding your treatment plan is an important part of feeling confident in your care.
Plan A Financially Comfortable Treatment Plan
Following your consultation, your patient care coordinator will prepare a detailed treatment estimate based on the options you discussed with your surgeon. If you provided dental insurance when scheduling, our team will review your available benefits and apply them to your estimate so you have a clear understanding of your anticipated out-of-pocket cost before treatment.
If cost is a concern, your patient care coordinator can review available financing options and payment solutions with you. Depending on your treatment needs, it may also be possible to phase certain procedures over time to make care more financially manageable.
Because payment is due at the time of service, we believe financial conversations should happen before treatment, not after it. Our goal is to identify foreseeable costs upfront, explain your insurance benefits and financial responsibility clearly, and help you make informed decisions about your care. No one should have to commit to treatment without understanding what it is expected to cost.
Smile Again
If successful surgeries start with understanding your case, then they certainly conclude with understanding your post-operative care. Our clinical team works with your surgeon to provide the most detailed pre- and post-operative care instructions so that healing from surgery isn't holding you back from returning to daily life. Dental treatment, especially oral surgery, can unexpectedly put a stop to your routines and comfort. Completing surgery with New Albany Oral and Facial Surgery mean that you'll be back to smiling again in no time.
