Wisdom teeth are the last molars to emerge, usually in the late teens or early twenties. When there isn’t enough room for them to come in properly, they become impacted — stuck partially or fully under the gum or against neighboring teeth. That’s when problems start.
Why impacted wisdom teeth get removed
An impacted wisdom tooth can:
- Become infected or develop a cyst around it
- Push against adjacent teeth and cause pain or shifting
- Trap food and bacteria in areas that are hard to clean
- Cause gum inflammation around the eruption site
Not all wisdom teeth need to come out. Some emerge fully and cause no issues. We’ll take dental X-rays and assess whether yours need to be monitored or removed.
What the procedure involves
Most wisdom tooth removals are straightforward. We use local anesthesia, and oral sedation is available if you’d prefer to be less aware of the procedure. Surgical extractions — for fully impacted teeth — involve a small incision in the gum to access the tooth.
You’ll go home the same day. Most patients feel sore for two to three days and are back to normal within a week. We’ll send you home with aftercare instructions including what to eat, how to manage swelling, and what to avoid (straws, smoking) to prevent dry socket.
When to come in
If you’re having jaw pain in the back of your mouth, swelling behind your last molar, or you haven’t had your wisdom teeth evaluated, it’s worth coming in. Early evaluation means more options — waiting can sometimes limit them.
Book a visit in Spring Valley
Call Sahara Family Dentistry at (702) 871-4990 or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Spring Valley, Winchester, Chinatown, The Lakes, Central Las Vegas, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson.