Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of your mouth. They don’t always need to be removed, but they can cause problems if they are not growing in properly. We provide advanced state-of-the-art oral surgery and wisdom teeth removal.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Palos Heights

Believe it or not, most people’s jaws are too small for their wisdom teeth to erupt correctly. These teeth typically come in when people are in their late teens or early 20s. With regular dental checkups, we can monitor the progress of these teeth with digital X-rays. If we see that a problem is likely, we may recommend removing those teeth.

When wisdom teeth aren’t able to grow correctly, they become impacted. When that happens, the impacted teeth can cause pain. They also can press into your other teeth, which can change how your bite fits together as well as the appearance of your smile. Wisdom teeth also can be difficult to clean because of how far back they are. That is partly why they can increase your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Many general and family practices refer patients elsewhere for wisdom teeth removal. Dr. Umang Patel takes pride in providing comprehensive care for all his patients, including oral surgery.

To find out if wisdom teeth removal in Palos Heights, IL could help you or someone you love, start with a checkup at Palos Heights Family Dental.

illustration of impacted wisdom tooth
  • How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?

    While every patient is different, there are some common signs that indicate the need to have your wisdom teeth removed. These signs include:

    • Impaction, i.e., if the tooth is stuck under the gums or is completely hidden. If wisdom teeth aren’t able to emerge normally, they can become trapped within your jaw which can result in infection or cause a cyst that can damage other teeth or roots.
    • Changing bite alignment—wisdom teeth can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes horizontally, this can cause a change in your bit alignment.
    • Crowding or damage to existing teeth caused by wisdom teeth not having enough room to come in properly.
    • Emerging only partially—if your wisdom teeth only partially emerged through the gums it can cause a magnet for bacteria that can cause gum disease and oral infection.

    Many dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth at an early age, before the roots and bone are fully formed, and when recovery is faster.

  • How do I relieve wisdom tooth pain?

    As wisdom teeth grow up through your jawbone and begin to break through your gum line, they may become inflamed or bleed. This can cause headaches or tooth pain. Here are some remedies to relieve wisdom tooth pain:

    1. Rinse with salt water
    2. Use peppermint essential oils or clover oil to soothe the pain
    3. Take aspirin or an over-the-counter pain reliever
    4. Apply an ice pack or heating pad to your cheeks

More Questions?

If you have more questions about wisdom teeth removal, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.

Palos Heights Family Dental

6446 W. 127th Street, Suite #1
Palos Heights, IL 60463
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Hours

Monday 10:30am–6:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am–4:00pm
Wednesday (every other) 9:30am–5:30pm
Thursday 10:30am–6:30pm
Friday (every other) 8:00am–1:00pm

Phone

708-448-7588