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Nov 21, 2025|Teeth Removal

Common Reasons for Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Effective Wisdom Teeth Removal

Hi-Tech Family Dentistry provides safe, pain-relieving wisdom teeth removal for Southfield, MI patients. Many people can live with wisdom teeth without ever needing them removed. However, if yours has impacted or erupted awkwardly, it could cause the rest of your teeth to crown or misalign. These molars can also cause or contribute to tooth infection and disease. We’ve compiled a helpful guide explaining wisdom teeth, their risks, and what you can expect from treating them. We’ll enable you to walk into your wisdom tooth extraction feeling confident and at peace.

Dental extracting the wisdom teeth in Southfield, MI

What Are Wisdom Teeth? When Do They Emerge?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of the mouth. They develop throughout life and usually emerge during adulthood, hence their name, “wisdom” teeth. The time at which they emerge depends on many factors, but the following are the most common:

  • Age: Wisdom teeth usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, but the age can vary depending on the person.
  • Impaction: Impaction occurs when the wisdom teeth don’t have room to grow properly, leading them to emerge unevenly.
  • Chances and Risks: Not everyone develops wisdom teeth. Some may develop one, a few, or all of them.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

If you have wisdom teeth, hopefully they will never cause you trouble. However, if they improperly emerge, they could cause one or more of the following to occur, necessitating a removal:

  • Impaction: Impaction can cause the wisdom teeth to become trapped in the gums and jawbone, causing immense pain and suffering.
  • Crowding: If your mouth doesn’t have enough space, your wisdom teeth may grow against your other teeth, leading to misalignment.
  • Infection and Disease: Wisdom teeth can create pockets where disease-causing bacteria can gather, causing or contributing to gum disease or periodontitis.
  • Tooth Decay: Areas affected by wisdom teeth are often harder to clean and care for, increasing the chances of decay.
  • Cysts: Impacted wisdom teeth can create cysts, which can cause infections, bone damage, or interference with oral health treatments.
  • Tooth Damage: Wisdom teeth can put pressure on other teeth, leading them to fracture or break. They can also damage the jawbone and gums.

The Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

If you feel or notice one or more of the following, particularly in the back part of your mouth, you may have erupting or compromised wisdom teeth:

  • Pain and Discomfort: Any persistent pain or pressure in the back or your mouth could indicate a wisdom teeth-related issue.
  • Swelling or Tenderness: If your gums or jawbone are swelling, softening, or bleeding, you could have an infection caused by wisdom teeth.
  • Jaw Stiffness: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause the jaw to stiffen, making opening and closing your mouth difficult.
  • Shifting Teeth: Other teeth can shift or begin to crowd when wisdom teeth erupt or become impacted.

Is Wisdom Teeth Removal a Surgery?

Yes, wisdom teeth extraction is usually considered a surgical procedure. However, the severity and complexity of the procedure will depend on the position and condition of the treatment. Wisdom teeth removals are generally classified into two different types:

  • Simple Extractions: If the wisdom tooth has fully erupted and is above the gumline, it can often be removed like any other tooth. This is usually a straightforward procedure and doesn’t cause many issues.
  • Surgical Extractions: If the wisdom tooth is impacted or trapped in the gums or jawbone, a more in-depth surgical procedure may be required.

How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Take?

The time it takes to remove a wisdom tooth depends on several factors, including its position and whether it is impacted. It will also depend on whether you receive a simple or surgical procedure. Here’s a rough idea of what you should expect:

  • Simple Extraction: If your wisdom tooth is easy to reach and only needs a simple extraction, your procedure will likely take only 20 minutes to half an hour.
  • Surgical Extraction: A more complex surgical procedure may be needed for impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth. This will likely take up to an hour.

What to Expect After Wisdom Teeth Removal

After your wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will likely keep you in the office until your anesthetic has worn off. This precaution ensures you don’t experience any side effects, such as lightheadedness, dizziness, or trouble balancing or standing up. It also allows your dentist to monitor your mouth’s progress and your level of bleeding. Though your anesthesia should wear off fairly quickly, we recommend having someone else drive you home after your procedure. Doing so will ensure you get home safely and don’t pose a threat to yourself or others on the road.

What to Expect During At-Home Recovery

Here’s a rough idea of how you might feel after your wisdom tooth removal, potential symptoms and side effects, and recovery timeline:

  • Immediately After You Get Home: Once you get home, you may feel pain and discomfort, and your mouth may still bleed. The lingering effects of the anesthesia may also cause slight numbness.
  • A Few Days After the Procedure: You may still feel some pain and discomfort. Try alleviating them with over-the-counter pain medications, drinking plenty of water, eating soft foods, and treating your mouth gently.
  • After a Few Days: Your pain, suffering, and bleeding should subside a couple of days after treatment. However, if they persist, we recommend calling your dentist to discuss your symptoms.

Your Source for Quality Wisdom Tooth Removal

Determining whether you need your wisdom teeth removed will require an examination and guidance from a dental professional. The team at Hi-Tech Family Dentistry routinely evaluates, treats, and prevents wisdom teeth-related dental issues. If you’re experiencing severe pain or discomfort in the back of your mouth, contact us to schedule an appointment. Our team will provide the experience, training, and cutting-edge dental technology to fully assess your mouth and decide if an extraction is needed, empowering you to make the right choices for your oral health and well-being.

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