Extracting Impacted Wisdom Teeth with Oral Surgery

Apr 9, 2026 | Blog, Dental Topics 5, Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last set of adult teeth to emerge, typically between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one. These third molars appear in pairs, with two on the top and two on the bottom. While some people don’t have wisdom teeth, most do. However, for many of those who have them, there isn’t enough space in the mouth for these teeth to emerge fully. This results in the teeth becoming wedged underneath another tooth and impacted in the gum.

Impacted wisdom teeth
When wisdom teeth are impacted, they are difficult to clean and can lead to serious problems for the surrounding teeth. These impacted teeth are highly vulnerable to decay and disease, which can cause tooth pain and damage to neighboring teeth. To prevent these issues, dentists often recommend extracting the wisdom teeth as soon as possible.

The extraction procedure
The extraction of wisdom teeth is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in an oral surgeon’s office. If a patient is healthy, the surgery can proceed as planned. However, if any infection is present, the surgery may need to be postponed until the infection is cleared up with antibiotics. During the surgery, anesthesia is administered to numb the area around the tooth, and in some cases, the patient may receive IV sedation for comfort.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will make an incision in the gum to access the tooth. Any bone obstructing the tooth’s removal will be removed, and the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone will be separated. If necessary, the tooth may be broken into smaller pieces for easier extraction. After thoroughly cleaning the site, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches and place sterile gauze to control bleeding.

Aftercare
Following the surgery, the surgeon will provide detailed aftercare instructions. It’s crucial to follow these instructions closely to ensure the best and fastest recovery.

Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Bingham Farms dental office to schedule your consultation!