WatchWisdom Teeth
When do your wisdom teeth actually need removal?
Your third molars, better known as wisdom teeth, usually try to come in between ages 17 and 25. The trouble is that most jaws don't have enough room at the back for them to erupt properly, so they become impacted: stuck under the gum or angled into the neighboring teeth. Once that happens, leaving them in place tends to cause more problems than taking them out.
This video explains the most common issues. An impacted wisdom tooth can press against the molar in front of it, causing damage, cavities, or even bone resorption that puts both teeth at risk. A partially erupted wisdom tooth, meanwhile, becomes a perfect trap for food and bacteria, bringing swelling, infection, and painful flare-ups in the gum tissue. More rarely, a fluid-filled cyst forms around an impacted tooth and damages the surrounding bone.
Modern techniques are the good news here, making wisdom tooth removal usually straightforward and surprisingly comfortable. Your case determines whether the procedure uses local anesthesia, mild oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia, and we'll help you choose the right comfort option through our sedation dentistry services.
Pressure, swelling, or pain in the back of your mouth is no reason to wait. Schedule an evaluation at Brammeier Dental of Naperville, where Dr. Brammeier will take an X-ray, evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth, and recommend the right next step.
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