Wisdom Teeth Removal

Sometime in the late teens or early twenties, most people deal with the eruption of their wisdom teeth, the last set of molars to come in. At Holladay Smiles, Dr. Michael T. Smith offers wisdom teeth removal in Salt Lake City for patients whose wisdom teeth are causing or are likely to cause problems.

Worried about your upcoming treatment? Ask our team about sedation dentistry in Salt Lake City.

Many people simply do not have enough room in their jaw for wisdom teeth to come in properly. When that happens, wisdom teeth can become impacted, come in at an angle, crowd neighboring teeth, or trap food and bacteria in ways that are difficult to clean. Dr. Smith monitors the development of wisdom teeth with dental X-rays to catch potential problems early, even before symptoms appear. Signs your wisdom teeth may need attention include:

• Pain or tenderness at the back of the jaw
• Swelling or redness in the gums behind the molars
• Difficulty opening the mouth fully
• Crowding or shifting of nearby teeth

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed. Dr. Smith evaluates the position and health of your wisdom teeth using X-rays and a clinical exam, and recommends removal when the teeth are impacted, causing pain, contributing to crowding, or difficult to keep clean. Depending on the complexity of your case, Dr. Smith numbs the area and, for patients who prefer additional comfort, offers IV sedation during the procedure.

Recovery time varies depending on the number of teeth removed and whether they were impacted. Most patients need a few days of rest, sticking to soft foods and avoiding straws while the extraction sites heal. Dr. Smith will give you specific aftercare instructions, including how to manage any swelling or discomfort and when it is safe to return to normal activities.