Wisdom tooth removal is best done in your late teens to early 20’s.  Consider it a preventative treatment like a flu shot for example. Wisdom teeth can cause pain, shifting of teeth or infection at the worst of times. For example, our young college friends have called for help with discomfort while studying in other  states and countries. What a bad time for something like that to happen. Another complication regarding wisdom teeth is the potential for cysts to form around them. No one wants unnecessary expense or surgery, but wisdom teeth extractions are one of the best preventive treatments an oral surgeon can do for you. The surgery is easiest to do when you are younger since the  roots  of the teeth are not fully formed.

Dr. McCullom’s skills for this surgery are exceptional.   Most of his patients have this done with the use of local anesthetic and don’t require any additional sedation though this is available as an option.  Afterwards, there is swelling and discomfort,  so prescription medication is needed. All in all, the surgery is worthwhile  when you witness the problems that arise later in life with impacted,  infected, decayed and difficult to remove wisdom teeth.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

An impacted tooth simply means that it is “stuck” and can not erupt into function. Patients frequently develop problems with impacted third molar (wisdom) teeth. These teeth get stuck in the back of the jaw and can develop painful infections among a host of other problems. Since there is rarely a functional need for wisdom teeth, they are usually extracted if they develop problems.

Having Third Molar Surgery from AAOMS.org on Vimeo.