Wisdom Teeth Management
Wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to cause pain or damage adjacent teeth. This often happens because there’s simply not enough room for them to erupt properly. When a wisdom tooth lacks sufficient space to fully emerge, it’s called “impacted.”
Impacted wisdom teeth can be blocked by gum tissue alone, but more commonly, they are also partially or fully obstructed by bone. They may grow in various configurations, such as sideways or remain vertically embedded within the jawbone.
These teeth are often located near important sensory nerves, which can make their removal more complex. As a result, many providers refer these cases to hospital clinics—either due to discomfort with performing the extractions themselves or to transfer the liability of higher-risk cases to academic providers. However, in most instances, hospital treatment is no different from that offered in a well-equipped community clinic. The patient’s experience hinges primarily on the provider’s expertise, compassion, and skill—not the setting. Additionally, the risk of complications typically does not decrease just because the procedure is done in a hospital.
Rare Situations That Require a Hospital Setting:
• High risk of jaw fracture
• Controlled jaw fracture required to safely remove the tooth
• Presence of large cysts or tumors associated with wisdom teeth
• Need for general anesthesia
Most graduates of U.S.-trained Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery programs have extracted thousands of wisdom teeth during their training, making them the most qualified providers for these procedures. Their expertise ensures that extractions are performed quickly, safely, and as comfortably as possible. Dr. Weinstock has successfully and safely performed over 12,000 wisdom tooth extractions.