Wisdom Teeth Specialist

What are wisdom teeth?

Your wisdom teeth are the very back set of molars that come in during your teen years or your early 20s. You end up getting a total of four of these teeth, but in some cases, they don’t come in correctly.

If there's not enough space in your mouth, you can develop what’s known as impacted wisdom teeth. If this occurs, these teeth can tilt or become crooked as they try to fit with your other teeth. They might not even be able to break through your gums and erupt. Dr. Lee might recommend having these teeth removed if they’re impacted.

What problems can impacted wisdom teeth cause?

If you don’t have impacted wisdom teeth removed, they can cause all kinds of problems with your other teeth and gums. Impacted wisdom teeth can increase your risk of developing gum disease. They can also raise your risk of tooth decay and cause damage to other teeth if you have overcrowding. You can develop cysts as well, although these aren’t as common.

What are the signs of impacted wisdom teeth?

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, you might experience the following symptoms:

• Pain in the affected area
• Swelling in your gums
• Bleeding gums
• Foul breath
• Soreness in your jaw
• Swollen jaw
• Bad taste in your mouth when you eat

Keep in mind that impacted wisdom teeth don’t always cause symptoms. Dr. Phee might discover that you have impacted wisdom teeth during routine exams.

What can I expect from wisdom tooth extractions?

If Dr. Lee recommends having your wisdom teeth removed, you’ll be given anesthesia before surgery. If you’re having only one tooth removed, you might only need local anesthesia. However, if you need all of them removed, he might use general anesthesia instead. You won’t feel anything during surgery, but you should expect some bleeding and soreness afterward.

What are the benefits of wisdom tooth extractions?

Having impacted wisdom teeth removed helps protect your oral health by lowering your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as damage to other teeth. Dr. Lee also uses 3D X-ray technology to capture detailed images of your teeth, which helps make extractions more precise. That lowers the risk of complications, such as excessive bleeding, and promotes healing.

If you’re having problems with your wisdom teeth, call Denton Oak Dentistry or book your appointment online today.