Wisdom Teeth Removal in Winston-Salem & Mount Airy, NC
Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide wisdom teeth evaluation and removal for teens and adults at our Winston-Salem and Mount Airy offices. IV sedation and anesthesia options are available when appropriate to help make treatment as comfortable as possible.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to develop in the mouth. They are located behind the second molars and typically begin to appear during the late teenage years or early adulthood.
Some wisdom teeth erupt normally and do not cause problems. Others may become impacted, partially erupted, difficult to clean, or positioned in a way that affects the surrounding teeth and tissues.
Does everyone need their wisdom teeth removed?
No. Wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed. The decision depends on their position, available space, symptoms, oral hygiene, and the likelihood of future problems.
Removal may be recommended when wisdom teeth are impacted, causing pain or infection, contributing to gum disease or cavities, damaging adjacent teeth, or developing other problems. Your surgeon will evaluate the teeth and surrounding structures and discuss whether removal is appropriate.
When should wisdom teeth be evaluated?
Wisdom teeth are often evaluated during the teenage years, before symptoms develop. At this stage, your surgeon can assess how the teeth are developing, whether there is enough room for them to erupt, and whether they are likely to create future problems.
Evaluation may include a clinical examination and panoramic or other imaging to determine the position of the teeth and their relationship to nearby structures.
What does it mean if a wisdom tooth is impacted?
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that does not have enough room to erupt normally into the mouth. It may remain completely beneath the gum and bone or may only partially emerge.
Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes remain symptom-free, but they may also contribute to infection, inflammation, decay, cyst formation, or damage to neighboring teeth. Their position and long-term risk are important factors in deciding whether removal is recommended.
What happens during wisdom teeth removal?
Wisdom teeth removal is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgical approach depends on the position of the teeth and whether they are fully erupted or impacted.
When needed, the surgeon may make a small opening in the gum tissue and remove a portion of surrounding bone to access the tooth. The tooth may be divided into smaller sections to allow for a more controlled removal.
Can I be sedated for wisdom teeth removal?
Yes. Many patients choose IV sedation for wisdom teeth removal, particularly when multiple teeth are being removed or when the teeth are impacted. Local anesthesia is also used to numb the surgical area.
Your surgeon will review your medical history, the planned procedure, and the available anesthesia and sedation options with you before surgery.
How long does recovery take?
Most patients experience swelling, soreness, and some difficulty chewing during the first few days after surgery. These symptoms usually improve gradually over the following week.
Recovery time varies depending on the number and position of the wisdom teeth removed, the complexity of the procedure, and the individual patient. Your surgical team will provide detailed postoperative instructions to help support healing and reduce the risk of complications.
When should I contact the office after surgery?
Some discomfort and swelling are expected after wisdom tooth removal. You should contact our office if you experience concerns such as increasing pain after several days, persistent bleeding, significant swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or symptoms that do not seem to be improving as expected.
Our office provides postoperative care and instructions for patients following wisdom tooth removal.
Schedule a wisdom teeth consultation
If you or your child has developing, impacted, or symptomatic wisdom teeth, an evaluation can help determine whether treatment is needed and the appropriate timing.
Call Winston-Salem Phone Number 336-765-5374 to schedule a wisdom teeth consultation.
Learn more about wisdom teeth
For more detailed information, please explore the pages below.
– After Extraction of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom Teeth Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.
