Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of your mouth. They don’t always need removal but can cause problems if they don’t grow in properly. We provide advanced oral surgery services, including wisdom teeth extraction.
Wisdom Teeth Removal at Finger Lakes Dental
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Most people have four, though it’s uncommon for them to come in perfectly aligned. More often, there isn’t enough space for them to grow normally, which can lead to crowding or the teeth becoming impacted. For this reason, many people require the removal of their wisdom teeth.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a form of oral surgery and can be performed by your dentist or an oral surgeon, often under general anesthesia—especially when multiple teeth are removed. At any Finger Lakes Dental location, we can examine your wisdom teeth visually or with X-rays to determine whether removal is necessary. If they are impacted, we’ll schedule a safe and comfortable extraction.
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How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
You may need your wisdom teeth removed if they are causing pain, swelling, or tenderness in the back of your mouth, or if you notice difficulty opening your jaw or chewing. Other signs include repeated infections, cysts, crowding, or damage to nearby teeth. In many cases, wisdom teeth can also be impacted, meaning they’re trapped beneath the gums and unable to emerge properly.
Because wisdom teeth don’t always cause obvious symptoms, dental X-rays are the best way to determine whether they pose a future risk. Your dentist or oral surgeon can evaluate their position and recommend removal if they’re likely to cause problems.
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What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is a third molar that doesn’t have enough space to fully emerge or develop normally. It may be trapped beneath the gums, positioned at an angle, or stuck against another tooth. Because impacted teeth can lead to pain, infection, swelling, and damage to nearby teeth, they often need to be removed. Your dentist or oral surgeon can confirm impaction through an exam and X-ray imaging.
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How do I relieve wisdom tooth pain?
You can relieve wisdom tooth pain temporarily by using over-the-counter pain relievers, applying a cold compress to reduce swelling, and rinsing with warm salt water to ease irritation. Avoid chewing on the affected side and stick to soft foods if your mouth feels sore.
While these steps can provide short-term relief, ongoing or severe pain often means the wisdom tooth is impacted or infected. In that case, it’s important to schedule an exam so your dentist or oral surgeon can determine whether the tooth needs to be removed.
More questions about wisdom teeth removal?
If you have questions or want to book a consultation, please reach out to our office and we’ll be glad to assist you.