My wisdom teeth don’t hurt. What happens if I wait and see if they will?

Not all problems related to third molars are painful or visible. Damage can occur without your being aware of it.

As wisdom teeth grow, their roots become longer, the teeth become more difficult to remove and complications become more likely. In addition, partially or totally impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause problems as patients age.

No one can predict when third molar complications will occur, but when they do, the circumstances can be much more painful and the teeth more difficult to treat. It is estimated that about 85% of third molars will eventually need to be removed.

It becomes much more difficult to remove wisdom teeth once the patient is over the age of 25-30.

When Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

In general, earlier removal of wisdom teeth results in a less complicated healing process. We recommend evaluating the wisdom teeth at about age 15. A simple examination and x-ray will help determine the best time to remove them, or if removal is even necessary.