Do I Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Pulled?

It’s natural to want to avoid an unnecessary dental procedure. When it comes to pulling wisdom teeth, not everyone needs to have these teeth removed (and not everyone even has wisdom teeth to begin with). Understanding which factors indicate whether treatment is necessary can help you make the best decision for your oral care needs. Dr. Donian Shen, our experienced dentist, can evaluate your concerns during your initial consultation and determine if your wisdom teeth need to be pulled. In general, wisdom teeth should be extracted if:

• The jaw is too small to accommodate the erupting teeth
• The teeth are erupting at an angle
• The teeth never erupt
• There are only one, two, or three wisdom teeth, rather than all four

In most cases, wisdom teeth will erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. While some individuals have enough room in their mouth for these teeth (also called third molars), they may still need to be removed if they are impacted (coming in at an angle or trapped below the gumline) or if there is less than a full set. Wisdom teeth continue to erupt until they reach the opposing set of teeth. If you’re missing one or more, that could cause bite misalignment and other dental issues in the future.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shen, please contact our office today.