WISDOM TEETH

Wisdom teeth are your third molars, located in the very back of your mouth. They typically erupt between the ages of 12 and 22. Wisdom teeth can cause problems if they don't have enough room to grow properly. They may grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes even horizontally. Problems can include wisdom teeth that are impacted, only emerge partially, or crowd nearby teeth. Wisdom teeth that are healthy, grown in completely, and positioned correctly don't usually need to be removed. However, if you're experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth, our team at Plaza Facial Surgery can help. Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure, and most people recover quickly from surgery. With proper care, you can avoid complications and ensure a successful recovery.

risks of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

For some people, wisdom teeth can cause a variety of issues. According to the American Dental Association, wisdom teeth removal may be necessary if you experience changes in the area of those teeth, such as: pain, repeated infection of soft tissue behind the lower last tooth, fluid-filled sacs (cysts), tumors, damage to nearby teeth, gum disease, and/or extensive tooth decay.


If you are experiencing any of these problems, wisdom teeth removal may be the best option. However, wisdom teeth removal is a serious surgery and should not be taken lightly. Schedule an appointment at Plaza Facial Surgery to learn about your options before making a decision. At Plaza Facial Surgery, we offer sedation dentistry for wisdom tooth removal and do our best to create a comfortable experience for our patients.  With the right post-surgical care, our patients normally recover from wisdom tooth removal and get back to their routines rapidly.

  • Why are wisdom teeth removed?

    Wisdom teeth are usually removed for one of the following reasons:


    • wisdom teeth are erupting tilted, sideways or twisted
    • the wisdom teeth are “impacted,” or don’t have enough space to erupt
    • tooth decay, gum disease or periodontal disease is occurring
    • an infection has occurred

  • When should wisdom teeth be extracted?

    It’s not always an obvious decision to remove wisdom teeth. The best plan in general is to talk to our Kansas City dentists about the best plan based on your situation.


    Even when there are no visible signs that your wisdom teeth are causing problems, your dentist may suggest their removal.  The following are some of the reasons why this may be the case:


    • Un-erupted wisdom teeth show signs of growing crooked and potentially damaging other teeth as well as the gums or supporting bone
    • Wisdom teeth only partially emerge through the gums, increasing the chance of a bacterial infection
    • A cyst develops around an un-erupted wisdom tooth and there is danger of compromising surrounding tissue or bone.

  • What is the best age for wisdom teeth to be extracted?

    It’s generally best to have wisdom teeth taken out between ages 16 and 22 since the formation of the root is not complete.


    However, it’s not uncommon for impacted teeth to become a challenge for people in their 30s, 40s or 50s.  Although there’s no age limit for wisdom tooth removal, as you get older, the surgery and recovery can be more difficult.


    One thing that is certain is that it’s not a good idea to postpone wisdom tooth removal if your dentist recommends it. Cavities, gum disease and periodontal disease in impacted wisdom teeth can spread to the neighboring teeth.  It doesn’t make sense to put off wisdom tooth removal, especially when it could lead to the loss of more teeth.


  • How is pain managed in wisdom tooth extraction?

    With the use of proper dental pain management techniques such as a local anesthetic, or sedation dentistry, you have no reason to fear wisdom teeth removal.

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