When wisdom teeth need to come out
Not every wisdom tooth needs removal. They become a problem when they're impacted (stuck under the gum or bone), partially erupted (which traps food and bacteria), pushing on the second molars, or causing recurring pain or infection. Most patients first notice symptoms in their late teens or twenties, but issues can show up later if a tooth shifts or the surrounding gum tissue becomes inflamed.
Impacted vs. erupted — why it matters
A fully erupted wisdom tooth can sometimes be removed like any other tooth. Impacted teeth — bone-impacted or soft-tissue-impacted — require a surgical approach to access the tooth and section it for removal. Dr. Kalantari handles both in-office, including cases that other general dentists refer out to oral surgeons.
After removal — recovery and prevention
Most patients are back to soft foods within 2-3 days and back to regular activity within a week. We send you home with a clear post-op plan and follow up to make sure you are healing properly. If the tooth was infected before removal, we may also treat the surrounding infection to make sure nothing lingers.
If the removal involved significant bone work - particularly for deeply impacted wisdom teeth - socket preservation can help reduce the risk of deep periodontal pockets forming on the back side of the adjacent second molar, which can otherwise lead to bone loss and gum problems around a tooth you want to keep.