It is always best to keep your natural teeth but, sometimes, a tooth has to be extracted, such as when it’s no longer possible to fix a cavity, resolve periodontal disease, or trauma.

The teeth that are most often extracted are wisdom teeth. These teeth are located behind your second molars and generally develop in late adolescence. We recommend a preventive dental examination at the onset of adolescence. The dentist will check the progress of wisdom teeth on an X-ray.

In some cases, the dentist may recommend extracting the wisdom teeth. He may decide that there is not enough space for them, which would result in the wisdom teeth becoming partially or completely impacted. Removing the teeth can prevent them from damaging adjacent teeth, becoming infected or developing cysts.

[H2] Most common concerns about partially or completely impacted wisdom teeth:

• Pain
• Infection in adjoining teeth
• Swelling where wisdom teeth are
• Cavities, abscesses or cysts
• Displacement of adjoining teeth

Before the procedure, the dentist will ask you questions about your overall health and explain the procedure and risks in detail. He will also give you post-surgery instructions.