Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars to erupt. They typically emerge when you are in your teens or early twenties and are located at the back of the mouth, with one each at the top and bottom of the jaw on both sides of the mouth. The term “wisdom teeth” was used as long ago as the 1700’s to indicate the teeth did not come in until people were nearly adults and, supposedly, wiser than children.

Why Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?

Most people today do not have enough room in their mouths for their wisdom teeth. As a result, these third molars often come in crooked or become impacted (trapped) in the jawbone. Sometimes they come in but are challenging to clean and maintain because they are between the other molars and the back of the mouth. Any of these situations can lead to complications such as gingivitis, cavities, crowding of the other teeth, cysts, tumors and bone loss of adjacent teeth. Removing wisdom teeth before they become a problem is a proactive step recommended by most dentists and oral surgeons. If the wisdom teeth are not removed in your teens or twenties, removal becomes more complicated, and there is a higher risk of infection, nerve damage, sinus issues and slower healing.

Choosing an Oral Surgeon for Your Child’s Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Dentists are skilled at caring for your teeth and preventing many oral health problems, but they do not routinely extract wisdom teeth. An oral surgeon is the best person to perform your child’s wisdom teeth removal for many reasons, including:

  • Oral surgeons have four to seven additional years of surgical training after dental school, preparing them for even the most complex surgical procedures.
  • Oral surgeons routinely perform wisdom teeth surgery, familiarizing them with the quickest, most effective techniques to minimize pain and recovery time.
  • Oral surgeons routinely extract wisdom teeth, giving them more significant expertise than a dentist who rarely performs oral surgery.
  • Our oral surgeons can administer a variety of anesthesia options to put you and your child at ease during even the most complicated wisdom teeth extractions.
  • We work with teens and young adults daily and will put your child at ease, carefully explaining the procedure to you and your child in terms you both understand.

Anesthesia for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Our oral surgeons can offer a full range of anesthesia options for your child’s wisdom teeth removal. Our doctors have undergone rigorous training in administering all forms of anesthesia, including laughing gas (nitrous oxide), oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia.

If your child suffers from dental anxiety or is undergoing a complicated wisdom teeth extraction, we may recommend IV sedation or general anesthesia for a painless, anxiety-free procedure. To learn more about our sedation options, please visit our anesthesia page.

At WestShore OMS, the comfort and safety of our patients are our focus, including the comfort of both parent and child. If your child needs their wisdom teeth removed, we are happy to consult with you and your teen to explain the process, answer any questions, and put your mind at ease. You can schedule an appointment by calling our Naples office at WestShore OMS Naples Phone Number 239-263-7474 or our Bonita Springs office at WestShore OMS Bonita Springs Phone Number 239-992-9201.

We look forward to helping you and your child avoid the pain of future wisdom teeth complications.

Call today to schedule your wisdom teeth consultation. To read more about wisdom teeth view our informative pages below.