Wisdom Teeth – Carmel Valley & Del Mar

You’ve been told your teenager needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. Or maybe you are considering having your wisdom teeth removed as an adult. And you know this is a common procedure. You’ve heard about wisdom teeth, the extra molars that come in behind the other permanent teeth. But you’re wondering, do they really need to be removed?

With 28 teeth already in place, it’s often difficult for an additional four wisdom teeth to grow in properly. When teeth try to push through the gums but cannot, they remain impacted—fully or partially covered by gum or bone—which has the potential to cause a variety of complications. And 90% of people develop an impacted tooth.

Why are they called wisdom teeth?

We develop the third molars during our late teens or early twenties. A person becomes wiser as they transition into adulthood, so that’s why we refer to the third molars as wisdom teeth.

Extraction: The Why

Your mouth was designed to hold 28 teeth, and by the time your wisdom teeth start to grow, those 28 slots are already filled, making it difficult for an additional four teeth to grow in correctly. Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, but it is important to be evaluated at a young age if possible, to prevent future problems.

But they don’t hurt at all!

Even if there is no pain, there is a huge benefit to removing wisdom teeth preventatively because the problems that can arise are very serious.  It is important for us to determine the risks vs. benefits of wisdom tooth extraction because the older you get, the more there is increased risk, delayed healing, and more difficult recovery.

If your wisdom teeth come in properly positioned, they could become infected and at risk for pathologic cysts.

Timing is everything.

If you’re wondering why you continue to hear about teens and young adults having their wisdom teeth pulled, it’s because there is an optimal (yet fleeting) opportunity between the ages of 16-28 when the tooth roots haven’t fully formed yet.

Once the roots have developed, the risk of nerve injury or sinus exposure is significantly higher, and the damage is done. So, it is better in many cases to get them out before any damage to your other teeth can occur.

Minimally invasive surgery leads to rapid healing.

Torrey Pines Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is known for the techniques we use that make our wisdom teeth removal procedures less invasive than most. We use a special technique that takes time to perfect and dedication and care to employ, and is, therefore, very rarely used by most providers.

We use very advanced equipment and specialized instruments that allow us to access your teeth and gums at a precise angle to avoid the need for a big incision or much bone removal.

The result is fast healing and little-to-no pain and swelling.

Possible Complications

If you’re wondering what the risks of wisdom teeth removal surgery might be, there are a few. As with any surgical procedure, complications, such as nerve injuries, sinus exposures, dry socket, and TMJ pain, can occur, but they are very rare. And, if the surgery is performed at an early age, the risk is even lower.

The Cost of Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Every patient is unique, so the cost of your teen’s wisdom teeth extraction depends on a variety of factors, ranging from positioning, level of impaction, number of teeth, etc. Our staff discusses all costs upfront and helps navigate insurance policies and any benefits they provide.

At your consult, you will get an itemized estimate showing your insurance coverage and your out-of-pocket portion.

The Cost of Waiting

The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll run up against problems down the road. And the more complicated the issue, the more expensive the procedure. Simply put, waiting may cost you more in the long run. Wisdom teeth that are left alone tend to lead to difficulties, such as infection, pain, damage to neighboring teeth, and, in rare circumstances, cysts and tumors.

To read more about wisdom teeth view our informative pages below.

• Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQ
• Impacted Wisdom Teeth
• Wisdom Teeth Removal
• After Extraction of Wisdom Teeth