Your wisdom teeth are the last set of molars located in the very back on either side of your mouth. These four teeth are usually the last teeth to come in, and erupt when the patient is in their teens or twenties. Our mouths are designed to only comfortably hold 28 teeth and the wisdom teeth make for a total of 32 teeth. Wisdom teeth can crowd the mouth and present other problems making it necessary for them to be removed.

When wisdom teeth are unable to create space for themselves, they will erupt at awkward angles, only partially emerge or they will get trapped under the gum. These problems can cause infections and cause a lot of pain for the individual. Wisdom teeth can be a breeding ground for cavities and infections because they are all the way in the back of the mouth and hard to reach with a toothbrush. The biggest problem when wisdom teeth do not grow in correctly is that they can cause tumors or cysts to form and can cause loss of bone in the jaw. For these reasons, most dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth to prevent further problems or complications.

Dr. Michael Yu Yeh and Dr. Lance Stolworthy will take x-rays of your wisdom teeth to determine if their placement will impact on the rest of the teeth and cause problems. We prefer to determine if you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted shortly after they erupt while the patient is in their late teens or early 20s before they can cause further problems.

Wisdom teeth removal require you to receive anesthesia to alleviate pain while the dentist removes the wisdom teeth. The dentists at Port Orchard Dental Excellence are licensed and experienced with providing anesthesia. You will be completely cared for while you are under anesthesia.

After your wisdom teeth are extracted, you may experience bleeding or pain and you will be given pain medication and prescribed to rest as the anesthesia wears off. A few weeks later, you will have your follow up appointment to remove stitches and assess the healing process.