Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth are the last four molars that are in the very back of your mouth. They usually come in later on in life, in your teens or twenties. Wisdom teeth usually need to be removed because our mouths can only comfortably hold 28 teeth and the four wisdom teeth make for a total of 32 teeth.

When wisdom teeth cannot find space to erupt, they can come in at awkward angles, only partially emerge or get trapped under the gum which can cause infections and additional pain. Wisdom teeth can increase chances of cavities and infections because of their location in the back of the mouth. Perhaps most importantly, wisdom teeth need to be extracted because they can cause tumors or cysts form resulting in loss of jawbone. Therefore, most dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth to prevent further problems or complications.

Dr. Michael Yu Yeh or another associate will take X-rays of your wisdom teeth to determine if their placement will cause harm on the rest of your teeth and problems. It is recommended to extract wisdom teeth early on after they come in because the sooner they are removed, the less possibility for problems.

If your wisdom teeth need to be removed, you schedule a separate appointment for the extraction. You will need to receive anesthesia during your wisdom teeth removal. The dentists at Federal Way Dental Excellence Center are licensed and experienced with providing anesthesia and provide in a safe and comfortable environment. You will be completely cared for while you are under anesthesia.

It is normal to experience bleeding or pain following wisdom teeth procedure and your dentist will prescribe pain medication and recommend rest as the anesthesia wears off. You will need to return to the dentists a few weeks later to remove stitches and so your dentist can assess the healing process.