Wisdom teeth are types of molars found in the very back of your mouth. They usually appear in the late teens or early twenties, but may become impacted, meaning they fail to erupt, due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed.
At Smiles of Fort Myers, our dentists evaluate your wisdom teeth and explain your options for patients in Fort Myers, FL. If you have another missing tooth you would like to replace, ask our team about dental implant options during your visit.
Problems an Impacted Wisdom Tooth Can Cause
If an impacted wisdom tooth is not removed, you may develop problems like these.
Gum Tenderness
Tender gums around the tooth.
Swelling
Swelling in the gums or jaw.
Severe Pain
Pain that can become severe.
Decay and Infection
Partially or fully erupted impacted teeth are hard to clean and susceptible to decay, recurring infections, and gum disease.
Why Wisdom Teeth Are Typically Removed Young
Wisdom teeth are typically removed in the late teens or early twenties for two reasons, and both can make extraction easier and shorten the recovery time.
Roots Not Fully Formed
There is a greater chance the roots have not fully formed.
Less Dense Bone
The bone surrounding the teeth is less dense.
Wondering whether your wisdom teeth need to come out? Schedule an evaluation.
How a Wisdom Tooth Is Removed
Depending on the degree of difficulty, healing time varies, and your dentist will share what to expect.
Numbing
Your dentist numbs the area with a local anesthetic.
Access
A portion of the covering bone may be removed to reach an embedded tooth.
Sectioning
The tooth is often sectioned so each piece comes out through a small opening.
Closing
The gums are sutured shut.
Healing
You follow your aftercare instructions for a comfortable recovery.
Did You Know?
Wisdom teeth may need to be removed even if they have not yet caused any problems. Even wisdom teeth that erupt normally may still be vulnerable to decay over time, because their location at the back of the mouth makes many patients find it difficult to clean and floss all surfaces each day. Complications may not appear immediately, and wisdom teeth may begin causing problems in middle to late adulthood.
Comfort and Sedation Options
Anxiety about oral surgery is common. Smiles of Fort Myers offers IV sedation at our Fort Myers office, and Dr. Victor Galvan, who holds a Moderate Sedation Permit, can talk with you about whether it is a good fit for your health history. You can learn more on our sedation dentistry page, and you can read about our tooth extractions.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Cost and Financing in Fort Myers
The cost of wisdom tooth removal depends on how many teeth are involved and how complex the removal is, so an evaluation is the best way to get an accurate number. We accept most insurance plans, though coverage varies from plan to plan, and we offer 0% APR financing along with our in-house Smile Program membership plan for patients without insurance. You can find more details on our financial information page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth in Fort Myers
Schedule Your Evaluation at Smiles of Fort Myers
If you are ready to talk through your options with our dentists, we would be glad to walk you through what wisdom tooth removal could look like for you. Contact our office to schedule your visit.
We speak English and Spanish. Se habla español.
