Wisdom Tooth Removal Philadelphia | Extraction

If you have a dental emergency, contact our Philadelphia dental office now at (215) 575-0550. Adults who didn't have their wisdom teeth removed may one day find themselves in the middle of a dental emergency.

At Dentistry for Life, we understand that wisdom tooth removal isn't always an emergency, but it can become necessary to protect your long-term oral health. Whether you're dealing with discomfort, potential misalignment, or simply taking preventive measures, our team provides personalized wisdom tooth removal solutions tailored to your needs.

Impacted wisdom teeth are painful and dangerous to your oral health. Our Dentistry for Life office in Philadelphia offers emergency wisdom tooth removal so you can schedule appointments seven days a week so you never have to suffer longer than necessary with a dental emergency.

Wisdom Tooth Removal patient model being treated in a dental chair

What Is Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Wisdom tooth removal is a surgical procedure to extract one or more of your third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth. These teeth are located at the very back of your mouth and usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. For many people, there isn't enough room in their jaw for wisdom teeth to grow properly, which can lead to issues such as impaction, crowding, or infection.

At Dentistry for Life, we perform our Philadelphia wisdom tooth extractions when these teeth are likely to cause complications. Depending on the position and condition of the tooth, the procedure may be simple or may require oral surgery to safely remove impacted or partially erupted teeth.

Why You May Need Wisdom Tooth Removal

Not all wisdom teeth cause immediate issues, but they can still present future problems if left untreated. Removing wisdom teeth before they cause complications can save you from more invasive treatments down the line. Some of the most common reasons for wisdom tooth removal include:

Prevention of Misalignment: Wisdom teeth can exert pressure on your existing teeth, leading to crowding and undoing years of orthodontic work.
Reduced Risk of Infection: Even if a wisdom tooth partially erupts, its hard-to-reach location makes it prone to infection and decay. Removing it early can prevent these issues from worsening.
Avoiding Cysts or Tumors: In rare cases, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to cysts or tumors that may affect the surrounding jawbone or teeth, making extraction a crucial preventive step.

Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Removal

Removing wisdom teeth before they cause problems offers several key benefits, including:

Prevention of Pain and Discomfort: Wisdom teeth that are impacted or misaligned can cause significant pain. Removing them early can prevent these issues from worsening.
Avoiding Infection: Partially erupted wisdom teeth are more prone to infection due to their location, where bacteria can easily get trapped. Extraction reduces the risk of serious oral infections.
Preserving Alignment: When there's not enough room in your jaw, wisdom teeth can push other teeth out of alignment, undoing years of orthodontic work. Removal helps maintain the integrity of your smile.
Simplified Oral Care: Wisdom teeth are located in a difficult-to-reach area, making them harder to clean. Extracting them can make brushing and flossing easier, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Preventing Damage to Nearby Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can push against neighboring molars, leading to tooth decay, damage, or the need for additional dental work.

What Is a Wisdom Tooth Emergency?

For most adults, there is simply not enough room in their jaw to accommodate third molars. Other teeth are in the way. The location of wisdom teeth - crammed into the back of your jaw - can also cause them to be horizontally aligned or angled. If they're not in the proper position, wisdom teeth can't erupt, and that leads to impacted wisdom teeth.

When a tooth is impacted, it can be partially erupted or still under the gum line, causing painful but sometimes invisible problems. Symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth can include:

Jaw pain or stiffness
Gum swelling or inflammation
Gum infection
Sensitivity
Shifting teeth

When teens see their Philadelphia dentist regularly and have x-rays taken annually, they are monitored for the eruption of their wisdom teeth. Recommendations for removal of the third molars are made when it is clear the teeth could eventually cause oral health problems. Sometimes the best move is to remove the teeth long before they can erupt.

However, not every patient acts on this diagnosis. The result? An adult who is afflicted with partially erupted, infected, or impacted wisdom teeth, creating the need for emergency wisdom tooth removal with emergency dentistry. At Dentistry for Life we are here for you, that's why we strive to provide some of the most gentle and best wisdom tooth removal Phildelphia has to offer.

Routine vs. Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

While emergency removal often happens when pain or infection becomes severe, routine wisdom tooth removal is just as important. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to track the development of your wisdom teeth through x-rays and examinations, recommending removal before they create a problem. By addressing wisdom teeth early, you can avoid future discomfort and more complicated procedures.

Complications of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, once they start causing problems, will never self-correct. In fact, they could wreak some major havoc if you wait too long to address their presence.

Misalignment: Think of the time and investment in orthodontics that you or your teen went through. Impacted wisdom teeth can ruin all that careful alignment.
Damage: When a wisdom tooth begins to push against the second molar, it can damage that tooth - above or below the gum line. This pressure can crowd teeth and, if you haven't had braces or Invisalign already, create a need for braces to straighten the other teeth.
Infection: The sac within which the wisdom tooth develops in the jawbone, can fill with fluid and form a tooth abscess that can damage the surrounding teeth, jawbone, and nerves.
Decay: Wisdom teeth, whether fully or only partially erupted, are harder to clean because of their location in the mouth, allowing bacteria and food particles to get and remain trapped. Ultimately, tooth decay sets in and, without intervention, could develop into gum disease or other infections that require more aggressive treatment.

The Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

Wisdom tooth removal is a straightforward procedure that can be completed in our dental office. Whether it's a single tooth extraction or multiple removals, our experienced team will ensure your comfort throughout the process with sedation options tailored to your level of need.

Consultation and Assessment: Our dentists will conduct a thorough examination, including x-rays, to determine the position of your wisdom teeth and whether removal is necessary.
Sedation and Extraction: Based on your preference and the complexity of the extraction, we offer sedation options to ensure a comfortable, pain-free experience.
Post-Procedure Care: After your extraction, we provide detailed aftercare instructions to support a smooth recovery. Most patients experience mild swelling and discomfort, which subsides within a few days.

Recovery After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Recovering from wisdom tooth removal is typically a smooth process with the right care. Here's what you can expect:

Initial Recovery: Most patients experience swelling, mild discomfort, and some bleeding for the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. These symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, prescribed medication, and ice packs to reduce swelling.
Dietary Changes: It's important to stick to soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, or soups for the first few days, avoiding anything too hot, spicy, or chewy. Stay hydrated, but avoid using straws as they can dislodge the clot and lead to a painful condition called dry socket.
Oral Care: While normal brushing and flossing should be resumed as soon as possible, you'll need to avoid the extraction site to prevent irritation. Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean.
Rest and Healing: Give yourself time to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a few days following the procedure. Most patients are able to return to normal activities within a week, but full healing may take up to two weeks.
Follow-Up: We'll schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure everything is healing properly and address any concerns. If you experience severe pain, fever, or prolonged bleeding, contact our office immediately.

Why Do People Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth get their name because they usually appear in a person's late teens or early 20s, a time when they are, presumably, "wiser" than in childhood when other permanent teeth erupt.

The general belief is that wisdom teeth were once important to survival. Tooth loss was likely common among early men and women who had no concept of good oral health. These "extra" molars could have easily moved into any holes created by lost teeth to make it possible for early men and women to continue to chew. Evolution is the most reasonable explanation for the modern irrelevance of wisdom teeth.

Get Help in Philadelphia for Your Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

Some of our patients never have any difficulty with their wisdom teeth. Others experience serious pain and infection from troublesome wisdom teeth that were not removed in adolescence. If you need emergency wisdom tooth removal, contact our Philadelphia dental office to schedule an appointment with one of our Philadelphia dentists. We have office hours seven days a week so you feel confident that dental care is available whenever you need it.

If you have a dental emergency, Contact Dentistry for Life right now at (215) 575-0550.

smiling emergency wisdom tooth removal patient model sitting in a dental chair

FAQs

Is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth if they aren't causing problems?

Even if your wisdom teeth aren't causing discomfort now, they can still lead to complications in the future, including crowding, decay, or impaction. Regular dental exams help identify potential issues before they arise.

How can I tell if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Your dentist will typically recommend removal if x-rays show that your wisdom teeth are impacted, growing at an angle, or likely to cause misalignment. Signs such as swelling, pain, or infection are indicators that you may need removal.

How does emergency wisdom tooth removal differ from routine removal?

Emergency wisdom tooth removal addresses immediate pain, infection, or impaction. Routine removal is preventive, typically suggested by your dentist to avoid these issues from developing in the first place.

What is recovery like for wisdom tooth removal?

Recovery usually takes a few days to a week. You can expect mild swelling and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medications and by following post-procedure care instructions.

Schedule a Consultation

Philadelphia dentist offers saturday and sunday appointments.

Our office is located at 1601 Walnut Street #1217 in Philadelphia. We offer appointments seven days a week to make dental care convenient for you and your schedule:

Comprehensive Wisdom Tooth Removal

in Philadelphia, PA

What Is Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Why You May Need Wisdom Tooth Removal

Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Removal

What Is a Wisdom Tooth Emergency?

Routine vs. Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

Complications of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

Recovery After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Why Do People Have Wisdom Teeth?

Get Help in Philadelphia for Your Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

FAQs

Before & Afters

Schedule a Consultation

Comprehensive Wisdom Tooth Removal in Philadelphia, PA

What Is Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Why You May Need Wisdom Tooth Removal

Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Removal

What Is a Wisdom Tooth Emergency?

Routine vs. Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

Complications of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

Recovery After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Why Do People Have Wisdom Teeth?

Get Help in Philadelphia for Your Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal

FAQs

Before & Afters

Schedule a Consultation

Comprehensive Wisdom Tooth Removal

in Philadelphia, PA