If you’ve been keeping an eye on your wisdom teeth for a few years (or a few decades, but who’s counting) without getting them looked at, you’re not alone. Most people wait until they feel a dull ache or notice their teeth shifting before they even consider scheduling a consultation for wisdom teeth extraction.
When it comes to wisdom teeth removal, timing goes well beyond mere convenience. It’s actually a major factor in how quickly you heal and how complex the procedure of pulling your wisdom tooth will be. So, is it actually too late if you’ve waited until your 30’s or 40’s? Here’s what you need to know.
The Optimal Window for Wisdom Tooth Removal
Most oral surgeons agree that the late teens and early twenties are the sweet spot for wisdom teeth removal. There are two main reasons for this:
- Root Development: In your teens, the roots of your wisdom teeth aren’t fully formed yet. They haven’t anchored themselves too deeply into your jawbone or wrapped around sensitive nerves. This makes the tooth easier to elevate and remove.
- Jawbone flexibility: Younger bone is less dense and more resilient. This means a smoother extraction with less trauma and, more importantly for you, a much faster recovery.
Most people develop wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25, so you might wonder why we’re already suggesting evaluation at this age. Even if your wisdom teeth haven’t erupted yet, your oral surgeon can monitor their development and plan their extraction before any problems rear their head. An early consultation with us in Wilmington, Ohio, can help you identify potential issues rather than waiting for pain or complications to trigger any action.
Risks of the “Wait and See” Approach
It’s tempting to leave your wisdom teeth alone if they don’t give you any apparent problems. However, as we age, the jawbone continues to become denser, and roots continue to grow. As time passes, wisdom teeth are notorious for causing other issues in the surrounding area, even if they themselves don’t hurt. Cavities on neighboring molars and even cysts in the jaw can sometimes be attributed, directly or indirectly, to nearby wisdom teeth.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons says that not every third molar (a.k.a. wisdom tooth) needs surgical management, but all patients should be evaluated by a professional since, if removal is eventually required, there’s much greater difficulty and a higher rate of complications as the patient ages.
TL: DR? Plenty of people are fine without ever seeing a wisdom tooth removal dentist, but it’s a good idea to let yours at least get checked out, since the evidence says that removal gets harder and riskier as you age.
Is it Ever Too Late to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?
While it’s a lot easier to remove wisdom teeth when you’re young, it’s never too late to protect your oral health. If your wisdom teeth are causing pain, are impossible to keep clean, or are affecting you in any other way, removing them is the right choice regardless of your age.
At Wilmington Oral Surgery, we specialize in making the wisdom teeth removal process as easy as possible for anyone, including adults, who may be anxious about the procedure. Wisdom tooth extractions for senior citizens are hardly uncommon and are one of many services we offer.
We also specialize in holistic recovery techniques, such as Platelet Rich Fibrin therapy (PRF), that use your own body’s growth factors to accelerate healing after you’ve had your oral surgery procedure with us. The time immediately after a wisdom tooth extraction can be uncomfortable, but we’ll do our best to help you get through it with minimal discomfort.
Wisdom Teeth Symptoms to Watch Out For
Here’s a list of signs that suggest it might be time to have your wisdom teeth extracted or at least looked at by your dentist:
- Pain or Pressure: Constant pain in the back of your mouth or when chewing generally means that wisdom teeth are starting to impact whatever’s around them. The pain could come and go, but it usually gets more intense over time, and the pressure could cause headaches, earaches, or discomfort in your jaw.
- Oral Hygiene Issues: If you’re starting to have problems brushing or flossing around your back teeth, wisdom teeth are often to blame. The nearby molars could start to develop cavities because you’re having trouble accessing them properly for cleaning, thanks to the wisdom tooth.
- Changes in your Smile: If your bite feels different or your teeth start to appear more crowded, your wisdom teeth may be applying pressure to your existing teeth. This doesn’t happen all of a sudden, so it’s easy to miss.
- Gum Inflammation: If your gums are swollen, tender, or bleeding around your wisdom teeth, it’s time to get an evaluation. Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth can also come with gum inflammation, and it’s another sign of spots you’re unable to clean due to the wisdom tooth.
How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
Simple extractions tend to cost between $75 and $200 per tooth, but impacted wisdom teeth can be more expensive, costing up to $600. However, wisdom tooth removal surgery isn’t cosmetic. It’s a preventative measure, so your dental insurance plan should cover most of it.
At Wilmington Oral Surgery, we try to go the extra mile to make our oral surgery procedures, including wisdom tooth removal, more affordable. One way we do so is by billing for the exact amount of time you need under anesthesia. Industry standards allow dental practices to bill for the maximum time allowed by insurance, but we choose to keep things as fair and transparent as possible.
A More Compassionate Oral Surgery Approach
Whether you’re scheduling a procedure for your teenager or finally taking care of your own wisdom teeth, we believe oral surgery shouldn’t be a source of too much stress. We pride ourselves on being a different kind of practice, from our use of holistic recovery and natural medication for pain and inflammation to transparent billing, where we only charge for the exact amount of anesthesia used.
So, if you need a wisdom tooth removed in the Greater Cincinnati area or anywhere near towns like Xenia, Fayetteville, or even Chillicothe, give us a call or schedule an appointment online before driving down.
