Evergreen Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Most dentists and oral surgeons suggest their patients have their wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible to avoid complications later in life. The ideal age for wisdom teeth removal is between 16 and 25, when the teeth are mature but haven’t yet erupted. However, many patients are hesitant to have their third molars removed if they are not causing any problems. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious oral health issues as they grow older. In addition, removing wisdom teeth becomes more difficult as you age.

Increased Surgical Risks

Patients over 30 are more likely to experience surgical complications when wisdom teeth are removed. The teeth may be impacted and impinge on neighboring teeth, pushing them out of alignment or damaging them, leading to infection. As individuals age, the roots of wisdom teeth grow longer and may become entangled with nerve bundles in the jawbone. If this happens, nerve damage is likely, as are numbness and tingling. In rare cases, the jawbone may need to be cut away to remove the tooth.

Surgical Complexity

Our surgeons are adept at removing wisdom teeth at any age, but the procedure becomes increasingly complex as the years pass. Wisdom teeth continue to grow longer roots as you age. As a result, your oral surgeon may have to cut through more of the jawbone, break the tooth into pieces to remove it, or work around entangled nerves. The result is a lengthier procedure. This translates to more time under anesthesia and a higher bill for patients.

Slower Recovery

The older we are, the longer our bodies take to recover from surgery. If you are over 30 when your wisdom teeth are removed, it will take a few days longer for swelling, bruising, and pain to subside.

A recovery that drags on is frustrating. You may have to take more time off work, reschedule plans, and ask for help caring for your family. Coping with pain and swelling during recovery makes day-to-day chores more difficult.

Is It Still a Good Idea to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed If You Are Older?

The oral surgeons at Evergreen Oral Surgery evaluate each patient’s wisdom teeth and take x-rays to determine whether wisdom teeth removal is a good idea later in life. If you do not have any issues such as pain or other symptoms of impaction, we may recommend that we leave your wisdom teeth in place and carefully monitor them.

Removing your wisdom teeth is crucial if you are experiencing symptoms such as pain, inflammation, infection, or an abscess. Digital imaging and x-rays aid us in determining whether there is damage beneath the gums or in the jawbone. Any time there is a question about removal, discuss your options with your oral surgeon.

Sooner is Better than Later

We do not recommend removing your wisdom teeth if you are over 40 unless they are giving you a problem. Wisdom teeth removal while you are young eliminates worries about long-term complications. Pain, swelling, and discomfort typically last a week or less and are less severe when you are in your teens or twenties. If you already have symptoms or an infection, there is no time to waste; you need to have the teeth removed as soon as possible.

An appointment with one of our oral surgeons can alleviate any concerns you have. We will carefully evaluate your wisdom teeth, jawbone, and symptoms and determine whether you need them removed. Please get in touch with our Tacoma Office at Tacoma Office Phone Number 253-473-0651 or our Puyallup Office at Puyallup Office Phone Number 253-799-1525 to schedule a wisdom tooth evaluation.