Repeated Gum Infections
A partially erupted wisdom tooth can leave a flap of gum where food and bacteria collect. This can lead to inflammation, pain, and recurring infection.
97 Smiles Ann Arbor
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Ann Arbor, MI
Get answers about painful, impacted, or troublesome wisdom teeth and understand your options for treatment.
- Personalized Dental Care
- Clear Treatment Recommendations
- Insurance Support
- Flexible Payment Options
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Ann Arbor
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Wisdom Teeth Causing Pain or Swelling?
Wisdom teeth can cause problems when they don’t have enough room to come through properly. You may notice pain at the back of your mouth, swollen gums, jaw discomfort, or food getting trapped around a partially erupted tooth.
At 97 Smiles Ann Arbor, we’ll evaluate your symptoms, examine your teeth and gums, and determine whether your wisdom teeth need treatment. If removal is recommended, we’ll explain why and discuss the appropriate next steps.
Does Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Come Out?
Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed. Some come through normally and remain healthy. Others become impacted, partially emerge through the gums, or cause recurring problems that need attention.
Maybe you’ve had pain that keeps coming back. Maybe your gums become swollen around a back tooth, or your dentist has noticed that a wisdom tooth is growing at an angle. You might even have been told that your wisdom teeth need to come out without fully understanding why.
You deserve a clear explanation before making a decision.During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your wisdom teeth and discuss:
- Whether your wisdom teeth are fully erupted, partially erupted, or impacted
- Whether there are signs of decay, infection, or damage to nearby teeth
- Whether removal is recommended or monitoring may be appropriate
- Whether dental X-rays or additional evaluation are needed
- What treatment may involve
- Your expected costs and available payment options
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When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent molars to develop, often emerging during the late teens or early twenties. Because they sit at the back of the mouth, they can be difficult to clean and may not have enough room to come through normally.
Your dentist may recommend removal if your wisdom teeth are causing problems such as:
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
An impacted wisdom tooth is trapped beneath the gum or jawbone, or cannot erupt into the correct position. Depending on its location, it may cause pain or affect the neighboring tooth.
Tooth Decay
Wisdom teeth can be difficult to brush and floss properly. If decay develops and the tooth cannot be restored predictably, removal may be recommended.
Damage to Nearby Teeth
A wisdom tooth positioned against an adjacent molar may contribute to decay or other damage to that tooth.
Cysts or Other Abnormal Changes
In some cases, an impacted wisdom tooth may be associated with a cyst or other abnormal changes that require evaluation and treatment. The recommendation depends on your individual examination and imaging. If your wisdom teeth are healthy and aren’t causing problems, your dentist may recommend monitoring them rather than removing them.
Your treatment, step by step
What Happens During Wisdom Tooth Treatment?
Your treatment will depend on the position of your wisdom teeth and whether removal is necessary.
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01
Examination and Imaging
Your dentist will examine the back of your mouth, ask about your symptoms, and review appropriate dental X-rays to assess the wisdom teeth and nearby structures.
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02
Treatment Recommendation
After the evaluation, you’ll learn whether monitoring, treatment, or removal is appropriate. If the case requires a level of surgical care beyond the office’s services, a referral to an oral surgeon may be recommended.
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03
Tooth Removal, If Needed
Wisdom tooth removal may be a straightforward extraction or a surgical procedure, depending on how the tooth has developed and whether it’s impacted. The appropriate anesthesia and comfort measures depend on the procedure, your health, and your individual needs. Your dental team should explain these details before treatment.
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04
Recovery Instructions
You’ll receive instructions for caring for the extraction site, managing expected discomfort, eating during recovery, and keeping your mouth clean. Your dentist will also explain which symptoms are expected and which may require follow-up care.
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
It’s understandable to feel nervous about having a wisdom tooth removed, especially if you’ve never had an extraction before.
The procedure is generally performed with local anesthesia to numb the area. Depending on the complexity of the case and the care setting, other anesthesia or sedation options may be available.
Some soreness, swelling, and jaw stiffness can occur after removal. The amount of discomfort and recovery time vary depending on the tooth’s position and the complexity of the procedure.
If you’re anxious about dental treatment, mention that during your consultation. Your concerns should be part of the conversation about your care.
The basics
What Is Recovery Like After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Recovery depends on whether the tooth was fully erupted or impacted and how complicated the extraction was.
You may experience:
- Soreness around the extraction site
- Swelling in the cheek or jaw
- Temporary jaw stiffness
- Some difficulty chewing comfortably
Your dental team will give you instructions tailored to your procedure. These may include eating soft foods, avoiding smoking, keeping the area clean, and protecting the blood clot that forms in the socket.
Contact your dental provider if pain or swelling becomes severe or worsens, you develop a fever, or you notice other concerning symptoms. Uncontrolled bleeding or difficulty swallowing or breathing requires urgent medical attention.
Do All Four Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
No. The decision depends on the condition and position of each tooth.
Some patients need one wisdom tooth removed, while others may need several. In other cases, healthy wisdom teeth can remain in place with regular dental monitoring.
Your dentist will assess each tooth and explain the reasons for any recommended removal rather than assuming all four must come out.
Insurance & payment
Wisdom Tooth Removal Financing in Ann Arbor
Wisdom Tooth Removal Financing in Ann Arbor
The cost of wisdom tooth removal depends on the position of the tooth, the complexity of the extraction, the imaging required, and whether specialist surgical care or additional anesthesia is needed.
A straightforward extraction may cost less than removing a deeply impacted tooth that requires surgery.
Your dental insurance may cover some of the cost, depending on your plan and whether the procedure is covered under its dental or oral surgery benefits. Deductibles, waiting periods, exclusions, and annual limits may affect what you pay.
At 97 Smiles, we aim to explain recommended treatment and expected costs before care begins. Our team can help you understand your insurance benefits and available payment options.
Ask About Treatment Costs and Insurance
Why Choose 97 Smiles in Ann Arbor for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
When you’re dealing with wisdom tooth pain, you want to understand what’s causing it and what needs to happen next.
At 97 Smiles, our approach focuses on helping you make an informed decision about your dental care.
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Clear Treatment Recommendations
We’ll explain what we find during your evaluation, whether treatment is recommended, and why.
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Individualized Care
Wisdom teeth don’t all develop the same way. Your treatment recommendations should reflect your symptoms, tooth position, oral health, and clinical findings.
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Help Understanding Costs
We’ll explain the expected costs of recommended treatment and help you understand your insurance benefits and available payment options.
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Coordinated Dental Care
If your wisdom teeth require a procedure outside the services available at our Ann Arbor office, we’ll explain the next steps and whether a specialist referral is appropriate.
Your care team
Meet Your Ann Arbor Dental Team
Dr. Mason Haddow, DDS
Dr. Mason Haddow leads the team at 97 Smiles Ann Arbor. With more than 20 years of experience in cosmetic and orthodontic dentistry, he provides restorative and dental care using modern digital technology and evidence-based treatment.
When you come in with wisdom tooth concerns, the first step is understanding what’s happening. Your dental team will evaluate your symptoms and oral health, explain the findings, and discuss the appropriate options for your situation.
Helpful answers
Wisdom Teeth FAQs
Still have a question? Our Ann Arbor team is happy to help.
At what age do wisdom teeth come in?
Wisdom teeth often emerge during the late teens or early twenties, although timing varies. Some people have fewer than four wisdom teeth, and some never develop them.
Do wisdom teeth always need to be removed?
No. Healthy wisdom teeth that are properly positioned and not causing problems may be monitored. Removal may be recommended when there is disease, damage, repeated infection, or another clinical reason.
How do I know if my wisdom tooth is impacted?
An impacted wisdom tooth may cause pain, swelling, gum inflammation, or difficulty opening your mouth. However, some impacted teeth cause no obvious symptoms. A dental examination and appropriate imaging can help identify their position.
Can wisdom teeth cause jaw pain?
They can. Inflammation or infection around a wisdom tooth may cause discomfort and jaw stiffness. However, jaw pain can have other causes, so an examination is important.
Do I need all four wisdom teeth removed?
Not necessarily. Your dentist will assess each tooth individually and recommend removal only when appropriate.
How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth removal?
Recovery varies depending on the tooth’s position and the complexity of the procedure. Some people return to normal activities quickly, while surgical removal of impacted teeth may require several days of recovery. Follow the instructions provided by your dental team.
Does dental insurance cover wisdom tooth removal?
Some plans cover all or part of the procedure, but benefits vary. Your coverage may depend on the type of extraction, the provider, and your plan’s terms. Ask the office to help verify your benefits before treatment.
Should I see a dentist if my wisdom tooth hurts?
Yes. Pain may indicate inflammation, decay, infection, or another problem that needs assessment. Seek urgent care if you have significant facial swelling, fever with worsening symptoms, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
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Schedule a Dental Consultation in Ann Arbor
You don’t need to decide on removal before you come in. And you shouldn’t have to guess whether your symptoms are something to worry about.
A consultation can help you understand what’s happening with your wisdom teeth, whether treatment is appropriate, and what your next steps may be.
Book Your Consultation
97 Smiles Ann Arbor
3174 Packard St
Ann Arbor, MI 48108