What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molar teeth  that develop between the ages of 12-16 in females, and between the ages of 14-18 in males, in the back of the upper and lower jaws.

WHy SHOULD wisdom teeth BE REMOVED?

Because the wisdom teeth develop in the back of the jaws, there is rarely enough space for them to erupt. This can lead to impaction where the teeth are stuck in the jaw bone. Impacted teeth  can result in pain as they try to erupt and cause inflammation in the gums. This can also result in severe infections that can require hospitalization if not treated early. Often infections develop in a matter of a few days, giving you very little warning to prepare. Wisdom teeth can also contribute to periodontal bone loss around teeth and develop cysts which can result in destruction of the jaw bone. This is often painless until severe problems occur causing medical emergencies. It is very important to have your wisdom teeth evaluated by a Board Certified Oral Surgeon to determine if they should be removed. If they are removed earlier in life (before the age of 25) there are typically fewer problems and complications, but wisdom teeth can be safely removed at any time in life.

is it costly to remove wisdom teeth?

Removing wisdom teeth is no more expensive than most other common dental procedures. It is typically covered by most dental insurance carriers. You can speak to our office staff about your insurance coverage as well as financing options that may be available.  

can my wisdom teeth be removed comfortably in the office?

Most patients have their wisdom teeth removed very comfortably here in our office under sedation anesthesia. Removing wisdom teeth typically takes about 1 hour, and most of our patients leave comfortable and fully awake with no discomfort or memory of the procedure within 2 hours of their arrival.

what is the recovery time after wisdom teeth removal?

Most people are able to return to school or work comfortably within 3-5 days after their wisdom teeth are removed. Often they can be removed on a Friday and patients return to work or school on Monday. We provide all our wisdom tooth patients with long-acting anesthesia for many hours of comfort after the procedure. We also provide prescriptions for post-operative pain medications to manage any discomfort patients may have. We will also see you for a check-up one week after surgery to evaluate your healing and make sure you are doing well. Most of our patients report little to no discomfort post-operatively after sedation anesthesia.

Call Columbia Phone Number 803-699-5900 to schedule your wisdom teeth consultation.

To read more about wisdom teeth view our informative pages below.