Pain is only one symptom of impacted wisdom teeth and one of the less severe ones. Other problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth include cysts, tumors, abscesses and infection. Additionally, these teeth may push the other teeth out of alignment as they try to erupt.
To avoid these negative outcomes, many patients will choose to have an oral surgeon remove their wisdom teeth before they begin to have any symptoms. It’s impossible to predict when wisdom teeth will become problematic and patients may not want to wait around and see what happens. It’s also recommended that patients have their wisdom teeth extracted before age 25, and insurance policies may offer less coverage for the procedure after that point. These are all factors that may influence the timing of wisdom tooth extraction.
The procedure is fairly routine, but as is the case with any surgery, does involve some risks. Your oral surgeon will educate you on these risks, as well as the risks of leaving impacted wisdom teeth in place, so that you can make the most informed treatment decision possible. Additionally, the surgeon will explain what steps you can take to reduce your risk of post-operative complications, like dry sockets or infection. It’s important that you follow these instructions closely so that you experience an uneventful healing period.
If your wisdom teeth hurt, it’s likely a sign that they are impacted and need to be removed surgically. Call our office to schedule an evaluation and learn more about the recommended treatment plan.