Third molars or wisdom teeth usually develop during the teenage years. Unfortunately, there is typically not enough jaw growth in most patients to allow these teeth to erupt into the mouth and wisdom teeth often become impacted, either stuck partially or fully below the gum tissue surface. When they can erupt fully, they are usually positioned so far back in the mouth that access for hygiene becomes a long term issue.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Overview

For a brief narrated overview of the wisdom tooth removal process, please click the image on the right. It will launch our flash educational MiniModule in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about wisdom teeth.

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As impacted teeth try to erupt into the bite, they can push on the other teeth and cause crowding and shifting as well as pain symptoms. Over time, these wisdom teeth tend to trap plaque and bacteria, leading to gum disease, decay and chronic infections that not only damage the wisdom teeth but also the other tissues, bone and surrounding teeth, and at times, leading to more extensive treatment and loss of other teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can also be associated with development of cysts that destroy healthy jaw bone as well as increase the risk for jaw fracture after trauma to the face.

Even erupted wisdom teeth will, at times, be recommended for removal to help maintain good gum and bone tissue health by improving access for hygiene to the more functional first and second molars.

Wisdom Teeth FAQs If my wisdom teeth don't hurt, do I really need them out? The need for removal of wisdom teeth should always be determined individually at a consultation appointment. In general, if there is not enough room for your wisdom teeth or there is poor access for hygiene for erupted wisdom teeth, the natural progression over time will be toward periodontal gum disease, infection and decay in these areas as well as risk for developing cysts or other growths around impacted teeth. Since we know the natural progression is toward disease in this area of the mouth, we will typically recommend the removal of wisdom teeth to prevent this, just like you see your dentist every six months for a cleaning to prevent gum disease. What is the best age for removing wisdom teeth? Although there are no age restrictions for wisdom tooth removal, patients in their teens to early 20s generally respond the best to this treatment with quicker and more complete healing and a lower incidence of complications during healing. We would look for about one-third root formation of the wisdom teeth as a rule of thumb before scheduling their removal. How is the procedure done? The removal of wisdom teeth is an office-based procedure that averages 40 minutes, depending on the type of wisdom teeth you have. There are three types of anesthetics offered: local anesthesia or "Novocaine," nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and pill-form sedation and intravenous general anesthesia. The type of anesthetic chosen will depend on the patient's desire and the difficulty of the procedure. With nitrous oxide or intravenous anesthetics, there is a fasting requirement as well as a driver needed on the day of the surgery. What will recovery be like? After all procedures, home care instructions are reviewed with each patient and escort verbally as well as given in written form. Typically, we expect facial swelling, limited mouth opening and soreness during the first 2-3 days. After this time period, the symptoms stabilize and should show improvement each day beyond that. Diet will be limited to liquids initially and then progress to soft solids. By the end of the first week, a normal diet can typically be resumed. Are there any risks? The removal of wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure and routine healing will involve swelling, jaw stiffness and soreness in the areas of surgery. We do not typically expect any other complications from surgery, although at times there can be delayed healing issues and/or involvement of normal local anatomy such as sinuses, nerves and blood vessels. Any particular risks to your specific case will be discussed at the consultation appointment with an informed consent process. How can I setup an consultation? If you would like to setup a consultation, please feel free to contact us at (978) 851-5200 to discuss wisdom tooth extraction at our Tewksbury, MA office. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Services Offered: Dental Implants in Tewksbury | Wisdom Teeth | Jaw Surgery | Cosmetic Facial Surgery | Biopsies Other Common Dental Treatments: Cosmetic Dentistry | Crowns & Bridges | Crown Lengthening | Root Canal Treatment | Apicoectomy | TMJ