Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal

At Suburban Oral Surgery & Implant Center, Dr. Allan Libunao and Dr. Richard H. Kim combine sedation methods and advanced techniques to provide efficient wisdom tooth extraction that is as comfortable as possible for our valued patients. Patients who undergo impacted wisdom tooth removal at our Bolingbrook, IL oral surgery practice emerge with improved oral health and a reduced risk for such dental problems as tooth decay, gum disease, and abscesses. Drs. Libunao and Kim are both highly trained, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons who provide care of a superior standard

If you believe you may require wisdom tooth extraction, or if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, we urge you to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Allan Libunao or Dr. Richard H. Kim at Suburban Oral Surgery & Implant Center today.

What Is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?

An impacted wisdom tooth is a wisdom tooth that does not have sufficient space to erupt, so it erupts either partially or not at all. If it erupts partially, it can lead to painful inflammation or infection of the gums; it can also grow at an angle, creating a cavity in the adjacent tooth. If it does not erupt, it will remain trapped in the bone beneath the gums, where it may or may not produce symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?

As stated above, an impacted wisdom tooth may produce no symptoms at all, at least not at first. This does not mean that the tooth should remain in the mouth; if an impacted wisdom tooth is detected during an oral exam, the dentist will likely recommend that it be extracted. An impacted wisdom tooth is likely to cause oral health problems at some point in the future, and the symptoms will then be quite apparent - and probably quite painful.

However, if an impacted wisdom tooth has not erupted at all, or has partially erupted but you cannot see it, how do you know it’s there? You might have an impacted wisdom tooth if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• General pain toward the back of your mouth
• Swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Jaw pain
• Swollen jaw
• Jaw stiffness
• Swelling in the neck
• Bad breath
• A foul taste in your mouth

Removal of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

It is important that you entrust the removal of impacted wisdom teeth to board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons such as Dr. Libunao and Dr. Kim. While conventional tooth extraction is relatively straightforward, the removal of impacted wisdom teeth requires experience and tremendous precision, especially in cases of full bony impaction (that is, when the wisdom tooth is fully trapped beneath the jawbone). When performed properly, the removal of impacted wisdom teeth will have no impact on a patient’s bite and only improve his or her oral health.

Learn More about Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal

To learn more about impacted wisdom tooth removal, please contact Suburban Oral Surgery & Implant Center today.