It was a long-held popular perception that wisdom teeth should be left alone till they “erupted” or became visible over the gum. Nowadays, that thinking has changed. Today, dentists and the public alike understand the damage unerupted or fully emerged wisdom teeth can cause, and people are advised to have them extracted as quickly as possible. The risks normally associated with wisdom teeth only grow more likely as a patient ages. People who wait for problems such as infection, swelling, pain or other medical conditions to occur before seeking treatment are at a greater risk. Those under the age of thirty-five are the best candidates for wisdom teeth extraction, while patients over the age of fifty are at greater risk for potential complications, as by that age, the teeth will be harder to remove. People over thirty-five also run greater risk of a loss of sensation in and around the lips and mouth since nerves lie close to the wisdom tooth (third molar) sites.

Luckily, modern technology provides a dentist or oral surgeon with a good view of the situation before beginning any extraction. All the nerves, bones and affected teeth will be clearly visible on an X-ray film, and the patient will be presented with any potential complications. Why is it necessary to extract wisdom teeth? They can cause sometimes excruciating pain and distress on the patient, and push against other teeth. Wisdom teeth can alter the position of adjacent teeth, gradually changing the occlusion (bite pattern). They can cause sinus problems, irritate the gum tissue and encourage infection. They frequently cause pockets where decay can form leading to bone loss and infection, and affect the effectiveness of orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment due to tooth shifting.

To remove the wisdom teeth, particularly the teeth which have not yet emerged, specific surgical expertise may be required. A dental surgeon with proper training and instruments is imperative for the best treatment possible. IV sedation is often recommended for this procedure. Many people will have all the required wisdom teeth removed during a single visit.

After the wisdom teeth are extracted, a patient can expect some pain or discomfort normally responsive to pain-medication, minor bleeding, puffiness in the face and jaw areas, and temporary (and in rare cases permanent) loss of sensation in the lower jaw due to damage of the inferior alveolar nerve that provides feeling to the lower lip and chin.