Emergency Appointments Available
If you’re experiencing wisdom tooth pain, we offer same-day emergency appointments, and different sedation options for your comfort.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people never develop wisdom teeth and others have no issues with them, many individuals experience complications due to insufficient space in the jaw for these additional molars to erupt properly. When wisdom teeth cannot fully emerge or grow at awkward angles, they become “impacted,” potentially leading to pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth.
Why Might Wisdom Teeth Need to be Extracted?
Not all wisdom teeth require extraction, but your dentist may recommend removal if:
Impaction
Your wisdom teeth are impacted (unable to fully emerge from the gums), which can cause pain and swelling.
Crowding
There's not enough room in your mouth for the wisdom teeth, potentially causing alignment issues with existing teeth.
Infection
Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create openings around the teeth that allow bacteria to enter, leading to infection.
Preventive Care
Even if your wisdom teeth aren't currently causing problems, removing them can prevent future complications, particularly if dental imaging shows potential for issues.
The Wisdom Teeth Removal Process at Queen Anne Smiles
At Queen Anne Smiles, our in-house wisdom teeth removal service saves you the time and hassle of visiting an outside specialist. Here’s what to expect during the procedure:
- Comprehensive Examination: We’ll use advanced 3D imaging to assess the position of your wisdom teeth and develop a personalized treatment plan.
- Comfort-Focused Experience: Your comfort is our priority. We offer local anesthesia and optional nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to ensure a pain-free, anxiety-free procedure.
- Expert Extraction: Our experienced dentists will gently remove your wisdom teeth, whether they’re fully erupted, partially erupted, or impacted.
- Same-Day Care: In many cases, we can perform your wisdom teeth extraction the same day as your consultation, saving you additional appointments.
- Thorough Aftercare Instructions: You’ll receive clear post-procedure instructions and emergency contact information to ensure a smooth recovery.
Recovery After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After your wisdom teeth extraction, proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery:
- Rest: Plan to rest for the remainder of the day following your procedure.
- Soft Foods: Stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and smoothies for the first few days.
- No Straws: Avoid using straws, as the suction can dislodge the blood clot forming in the extraction site.
- Ice Packs: Apply ice packs to your cheeks to reduce swelling (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).
Gentle Oral Hygiene: After 24 hours, gently rinse with warm salt water several times a day to keep the area clean. - Medication: Take any prescribed or recommended pain medication as directed.
Most patients can return to their normal activities within 3-5 days, though complete healing takes about two weeks.
Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQs
Signs that may indicate the need for wisdom teeth removal include pain or discomfort in the back of your mouth, swelling of the gums, difficulty opening your mouth, bad breath, or an unpleasant taste when eating. However, many people require wisdom teeth extraction before symptoms appear, based on dental X-rays that show potential problems. Regular dental check-ups help identify wisdom teeth issues early.
Most dentists recommend wisdom teeth removal between ages 17-25, when the roots aren’t fully developed and the bone is less dense. This typically makes for easier extraction and faster healing. However, wisdom teeth can be removed at any age if they’re causing problems.
During the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any pain thanks to local anesthesia and optional sedation, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a calming oral medication. After the procedure, most patients experience some discomfort, swelling, and mild bleeding, which can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. The level of post-procedure discomfort varies depending on the complexity of the extraction and your individual pain tolerance.
Most patients can resume normal activities within 3-5 days. However, complete healing of the extraction site takes about two weeks. During the first 24 hours, blood clots will form in the socket, and initial swelling will peak within 2-3 days before gradually subsiding.
At Queen Anne Smiles, we offer both local anesthesia and sedation options—including nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a calming oral medication—to help keep you comfortable during wisdom teeth removal. While local anesthesia is standard to ensure you don’t feel pain during the procedure, sedation is optional for patients who feel anxious or want a more relaxed experience. We’ll go over these options during your consultation to determine what works best for you.
Yes, all four wisdom teeth can be removed in a single appointment, and this is often the preferred approach. Removing all wisdom teeth at once means you’ll only need to go through the recovery process once rather than multiple times. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
For the first few days after wisdom teeth removal, stick to soft foods that require minimal chewing, such as yogurt, applesauce, smoothies (without straws), mashed potatoes, soup, scrambled eggs, and ice cream. Avoid spicy, hot, crunchy, or hard foods that could irritate the extraction sites or become lodged in them. As you heal, you can gradually reintroduce firmer foods to your diet.
Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Removal in Seattle Today
Don’t let wisdom teeth pain or potential complications affect your quality of life. At Queen Anne Smiles, our experienced dental team offers convenient, in-office wisdom teeth removal with a focus on your comfort and care. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a healthier smile.