Wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the very back of your mouth. They typically emerge in the late teens or early twenties, but often become impacted, meaning they fail to erupt fully, due to limited space in the jaw or an improper angle of entry. The most common type of impacted wisdom tooth is “mesial,” in which the tooth angles forward toward the front of the mouth.
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it will need to be removed by an oral surgeon in Union City at Legacy Oral Surgery. Without removal, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted are difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and gum disease.
When Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Necessary?
There are instances where wisdom teeth grow in normally and do not cause any issues. However, it is more common for wisdom teeth to grow at an angle or remain fully or partially trapped in the jawbone or underneath the gum tissue. This can cause substantial pain and other complications.
The following are indications that you may benefit from wisdom tooth removal:
- Excessive pain near the site of the wisdom tooth or the back of your mouth
- Crowding around wisdom teeth allows food to become trapped
- Emerging gum disease around your molars
- Recurrent tooth decay around the wisdom teeth
- Development of cysts around the wisdom teeth
- Damage to the surrounding teeth or the jawbone
Your oral surgeon at Legacy Oral Surgery will assess the condition and position of your wisdom teeth with a comprehensive exam and determine whether wisdom tooth extraction is right for you. Our team uses state-of-the-art techniques and innovative technology to help ensure the best outcome possible.
Each patient’s situation is unique. Dr. Nancy Herbst will typically take a panoramic X-ray to determine whether your tooth needs to be removed. If she recommends wisdom tooth removal, it is best to move forward sooner rather than later.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Process
Wisdom teeth are typically removed during the late teens or early twenties because the roots are less likely to have fully formed, and the surrounding bone is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier and recovery time shorter. To perform wisdom tooth removal, an oral surgeon first needs to numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. Dr. Herbst may also apply additional medication such as nitrous oxide, IV sedation, or general anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
If the impacted tooth remains beneath the gum line and is embedded in your jawbone, Dr. Herbst may need to remove a small portion of the overlying bone. To minimize how much bone is removed, the wisdom tooth may be sectioned (divided into smaller pieces) so each piece can be extracted through a small opening.
Once your wisdom teeth have been removed, healing begins. Recovery time varies depending on the complexity of the extraction. Dr. Herbst will explain what to expect and provide clear instructions to support a smooth, comfortable healing process.
Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Removal
There are several meaningful benefits to wisdom tooth removal, including:
1. Fewer Orthodontic Problems
When wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they may overcrowd your existing teeth and put pressure on surrounding molars. Over time, this can lead to alignment problems and bite issues. Removing wisdom teeth can reduce the likelihood of needing braces or other corrective treatments down the line.
2. Preventing Damage to Adjacent Teeth
The pressure from emerging wisdom teeth can damage adjacent teeth by weakening enamel, compromising roots, and making those teeth more vulnerable to cavities and bone loss, requiring bone grafting. Cleaning around wisdom teeth can also be difficult, leading to recurring decay. Removing them may save you the time and cost associated with fillings and potential root canals.
3. Decreasing the Likelihood of Oral Disease
Removing wisdom teeth promptly may decrease the likelihood of oral diseases such as gum disease. Inflammation in this area can be persistent and hard to treat due to how difficult the teeth are to reach and clean. Infections left untreated can spread beneath the gums, affect surrounding nerves, and in some cases, enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to serious complications.
4. Reducing Orofacial Pain
In addition to reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease, wisdom tooth removal can help relieve pain from inflammation, pressure, gum sensitivity, and overcrowding. Pressure from emerging wisdom teeth may also contribute to chronic headaches and sinus discomfort. Many patients in Union City, NJ, report significant relief following extraction.
5. Preventing Jaw Disorders and Other Dental Conditions
The position of emerging wisdom teeth can create an environment where bacteria accumulate, potentially generating chronic cysts or tumors that negatively impact the jawbone and cause joint pain. This can worsen or contribute to severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction that may require additional treatment in the future.
Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Removal Consultation in Union City, NJ
If you are dealing with painful symptoms from impacted wisdom teeth, Legacy Oral Surgery offers state-of-the-art surgical care for wisdom tooth removal throughout Union City and the surrounding New Jersey area. Our team is committed to providing support before, during, and after your procedure so your oral health needs are always met.
With over 25 years of oral and maxillofacial surgery practice, Dr. Nancy Herbst brings advanced care and a patient-first approach to every procedure. Request an appointment today or call our office at 201-601-9262 to speak with our team about wisdom teeth removal in Union City.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth Removal in Union City
When is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth, and can I wait to see if they cause problems?
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out right away, but waiting to see if problems develop tends to make things more complicated rather than less. Wisdom teeth that are partially erupted or growing at an angle are harder to remove once the roots have fully formed and the surrounding bone has fully matured, which typically happens in the mid-to-late twenties. If your imaging shows that a wisdom tooth is impacted, angled toward an adjacent tooth, or positioned in a way that makes cleaning impossible, our team at Legacy Oral Surgery in Union City will typically recommend removal sooner rather than later to avoid a more involved procedure down the road.
What actually happens during wisdom tooth removal surgery?
Once you are numbed or sedated, the surgeon creates an opening in the gum tissue above the tooth if needed and removes any overlying bone that is blocking access. The tooth is then loosened from the surrounding ligament. If the roots are curved or the tooth is deeply embedded, it is divided into sections and removed piece by piece to minimize the force required and reduce trauma to the surrounding bone. The site is cleaned, and stitches are placed to close the incision. The whole procedure typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for all four teeth, and most patients remember very little of it afterward if sedation was used.
What is recovery from wisdom tooth removal really like, and how long until I feel normal?
The first two to three days are usually the most uncomfortable, with swelling and soreness peaking around day two and then gradually improving. Most patients can return to school or a desk job within three to four days. Physical activity should be limited for about a week, and a soft diet is recommended for the first few days to avoid disturbing the healing sites. Swelling in the cheeks and jaw is expected and typically resolves within a week to ten days. Most patients feel largely back to normal within two weeks, though full healing of the bone takes longer.
Is it normal to have facial bruising or numb lips after wisdom tooth removal?
Yes, both are common. Bruising often appears a day or two after surgery, typically along the jaw and neck, and fades over one to two weeks. Numbness or tingling in the lip, chin, or tongue immediately after surgery is caused by the local anesthetic and resolves within a few hours as it wears off. In rare cases involving lower wisdom teeth positioned close to the inferior alveolar nerve, some temporary numbness may last a bit longer. Persistent or worsening numbness beyond a few days is worth mentioning to our team.
Can I get all four wisdom teeth removed at the same time in Union City?
Yes, and it is generally the approach we recommend. Removing all four at once means a single anesthetic, a single recovery period, and getting it done rather than scheduling the same disruption to your life two or four separate times. IV sedation is commonly used for patients having all four removed, which makes the experience more comfortable and keeps the procedure efficient. Our Union City surgical team performs this routinely, and Dr. Herbst will confirm at your consultation that there are no clinical reasons to stage the extractions separately in your case.
