When Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Wisdom teeth (third molars) usually begin to erupt between the end of adolescence and the early twenties. Not every wisdom tooth causes problems, and not every wisdom tooth is extracted. The decision is made according to the position of the tooth, the harm it causes to the surrounding tissues and the symptoms present.
Why can they cause problems?
In most people the space available for these teeth in the jaw is limited. A tooth that cannot find enough room may not erupt fully, may remain tilted, or may stay impacted within the bone. The gum pocket around a partially erupted tooth cannot be cleaned; bacteria collecting there lead to inflammation.
Situations where extraction is considered
- Recurrent gum inflammation, swelling and pain (pericoronitis)
- Decay that cannot be cleaned, in the wisdom tooth or the neighbouring molar
- Pressure causing resorption of the root of the neighbouring tooth
- Development of a cyst or other pathology around it
- Creation of a deep gum pocket on the neighbouring tooth that cannot be cleaned
- Eruption in a position that causes trauma to the opposing tooth or the cheek
- Situations required by planned orthodontic or prosthetic treatment
Situations where extraction is not needed
A wisdom tooth that has erupted fully, fits the bite, can be cleaned and is free of decay may remain in the mouth. For teeth that are impacted but give no symptoms and have no pathology around them, monitoring may be preferred. Monitoring does not mean “forgetting about it”: clinical and radiographic checks are carried out at set intervals.
Common beliefs such as “everyone's wisdom teeth should come out” or “wisdom teeth crowd the front teeth” are not in themselves grounds for extraction. The decision rests on individual findings.
What is assessed?
| Criterion | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The position and angle of the tooth | Determines surgical difficulty and the effect on the neighbouring tooth |
| Root shape and number | Changes the extraction plan |
| Proximity to the nerve canal in the lower jaw | For assessing the risk of numbness; three-dimensional imaging is requested where needed |
| Relationship with the sinus in the upper jaw | Affects the surgical approach |
| The condition of the neighbouring tooth | Decay, root resorption or the presence of a pocket |
| General health and medicines taken | Timing and surgical planning |
The procedure and healing
Extraction is carried out under local anaesthesia. With impacted teeth it may be necessary to raise the gum and to remove the tooth in sections; this does not mean the procedure has become more difficult — it is a choice aimed at protecting the tissue.
Swelling, restricted mouth opening and tenderness can be expected in the first days. During this period cold application, soft food, not smoking and not rinsing the mouth on the first day are advised. Pain that develops when the clot is dislodged, usually increasing a few days later, calls for a review.
With increasing pain, high fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, bleeding that will not stop, or numbness of the lip and chin persisting the next day, you should contact the clinic without losing time. What to do in the first hours is explained on the Dental Emergencies: The First 24 Hours page.
Timing
Extractions carried out while the roots are not yet fully formed generally run more smoothly and healing may be faster. However, this does not mean that every symptom-free tooth should be taken out at a young age. The decision is made by weighing the expected benefit against the risks of the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Can both sides be extracted at the same appointment?
In some cases this is possible. The decision is based on the position of the teeth, the expected length of the procedure and the person's general condition.
Will numbness after extraction be permanent?
Temporary numbness may occur with lower teeth close to the nerve canal; permanent numbness is uncommon. The risk is assessed beforehand with imaging and explained to you.
Can they be extracted during pregnancy?
Non-urgent surgical procedures are generally postponed. If there is an emergency, the timing and approach are planned separately; the detail is on the Dental Treatment in Pregnancy page.
What happens if I do not have it out?
Waiting with a tooth that is causing symptoms or harming a neighbouring tooth can allow decay and bone loss to progress. For teeth that cause no symptoms, monitoring may be an appropriate option.
At our clinic at the Beylikdüzü–Esenyurt junction, the decision on a wisdom tooth is made by considering the clinical examination, the radiographic assessment and the condition of the neighbouring teeth together.
Oral Surgery Procedures · Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery · Appointments and contact