When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

Wisdom teeth often don’t have enough room to grow in properly and are removed. If your child’s wisdom teeth don’t fully emerge, or if your child’s dentist can predict that there will not be enough room for the teeth, they should be extracted. Removing teeth at a younger age before the roots and bone are fully formed allow for a faster healing and easier procedure. The decision to remove wisdom teeth can be tricky–consult with Dr. Botero to make an informed decision for your child.

When do Wisdom Teeth Come In?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars seen in adults, usually beginning to grow in around ages 18-25. Removing wisdom teeth is a common procedure that can be completed at the dentist or oral surgeon’s office. Patients with wisdom teeth that have not erupted into the mouth or wisdom teeth that cause problems with eating or pain may need them removed.

What Age Should Wisdom Teeth be Removed?

The age of wisdom teeth removal depends on two factors: if there are any wisdom defects (misalignment causing wisdom tooth crowding, etc.) and patient cooperation. A child who has good dental hygiene habits and no crowded wisdom teeth would be more likely to keep his wisdom teeth than one who had bad dental care habits, resulting in poor dental health that requires surgery for extraction of their wisdom teeth .

Wisdom teeth that are fully erupted and healthy do not need to be removed. If a patients’ wisdom teeth do not fit properly in the mouth, wisdom tooth surgery may be required to remove them before they become a problem. Unerupted wisdom teeth can remain in the patient’s jaw indefinitely; however, those that begin pestering the patient may need to be removed even if they haven’t fully sprouted through the gums yet .

Patients who have wisdom teeth with no problems present should schedule their wisdom teeth removal surgery around ages 19-21 or upon completion of orthodontia , as wisdom defects won’t interfere with braces and will likely correct themselves after wisdom teeth are extracted. Wisdom tooth surgery is usually done at a dentist office or from an oral surgeon (depending on the complexity of the case.)

What to Expect with Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom tooth surgery is usually done at a dentist’s office under local anesthesia, but wisdom teeth that have become infected may require wisdom teeth removal under general anesthesia. Wisdom teeth surgery make take several weeks to recover from, as it involves some pain and swelling following wisdom tooth extraction.

Schedule an Exam and Consultation

Before wisdom teeth are removed in your teens, be sure to have your child evaluated by an oral surgeon to determine if their wisdom teeth must be removed.

Discuss any wisdom tooth problems your child is having with your dentist so that they can discuss treatments and options for removing wisdom teeth.

In today’s day and age, wisdom teeth extraction is easier and better than ever. Undoubtedly,  technology will continue to transform dentistry in exciting ways.

Call Dr. Botero today at 813-576-0200 to schedule an appointment for your teen with our friendly Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry team and to learn more about the health of their wisdom teeth.