While not always painful immediately, impacted wisdom teeth can become an enormous problem if not taken care of in a timely manner. Because wisdom teeth develop after most people’s mouths stop growing, not everyone has space for them to come in. When this happens, the wisdom teeth are said to be “impacted.”
Impacted wisdom teethmust be removed. If they are not, they can cause many serious dental issues, including cracked and shifting teeth, infection, and even damage to your jawbone.
If you have impacted wisdom teeth in Carson City, Absolute Dental can help. Our expert dentists and oral surgeons regularly perform wisdom teeth extractions, as well as all other dental procedures for the whole family.
If you believe you may have impacted wisdom teeth, or would simply like a checkup, call Absolute Dental now to make an appointment. The earlier you can see us, the more likely medical outcomes will be positive.
Call (844) 8-SMILE-NOW or fill out the form to make an appointment today!
Understanding Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Carson City
Wisdom teeth are molars, furthest back in your mouth, which tend to “erupt” (emerge from the gumline) in most people’s 20s or late teens.
For most people, their mouths have stopped growing by this time, and these teeth may not have the space to erupt properly. Other complications can occur as well, such as teeth that are angled toward the front or back of the mouth.
In many cases, impacted wisdom teeth do not start out painful, and early indications of problems can only be noticed by a dentist with the help of diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray. However, as wisdom teeth continue to grow, they can cause many problems, including infection, damage to surrounding teeth, and jawbone issues.
In most cases, impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed.
Wisdom Teeth Development Timeline
Not everyone has wisdom teeth. In most people, these teeth are present as “buds” in early childhood, but do not develop the same way as adult teeth.
In late adolescence, these buds continue to grow but generally do not erupt from the gumline. Your dentist will usually monitor them using diagnostic tools, like X-rays, at this stage to see if they may come in properly or become a problem.
Between the ages of about 17 to 26, these teeth will erupt from the gumline. At this stage, they may be angled inappropriately or misaligned, not have enough room to emerge, or even come in sideways.
This final stage is where many problems are discovered, and your teeth should be monitored by your dentist at regular appointments. In most cases, your dentist will recommend having your wisdom teeth taken out at this time, as young people tend to heal faster, although wisdom teeth can generally be taken out at any age.
Take advantage of our limited-time offer and enjoy 20% off your general dentistry treatment plan. At Absolute Dental, we’re committed to delivering expert, affordable care that prioritizes your smile. Hurry—this promotion ends on 12/31/26! Schedule your appointment today to experience top-quality dental solutions designed just for you.
What Our Patients Say
thank u for taking care of my boys :)
I love their Orthodontist office Dr. Askin is a great man great staff as well thank u for taking care…
Google -
A. Lane
They make sure you're in no pain when they do teeth fillings
They staff is so caring and they always try and get me in as fast as possible also they make…
Google -
Alison M. - Tooth Filling
Great atmosphere and customer service!
One of the best experience I've have with Absolute Dental. I love the customer service that is given to all…
Google -
Alondra C.
Give great direction on handling charges and insurance!
I love this place because they are really down to earth. Not stuffy like most medical offices. The staff will…
Yelp -
Angelina M.
Everyone was so friendly and welcoming
Brought my 2 year old son to see Dr. Shaw for an exam and he absolutely loved the staff. Everyone…
Google -
Ana Martinez
Love everyone at Absolute Dental Orthodontics!!
I have and will continue to recommend Absolute Dental Orthodontics to anyone that would like nice people who are always…
Google -
Brandi B.
Kayleen did a great job polishing my teeth!
I am very happy with the care for my teeth and gums that I have been getting coming here. I…
This type of impaction happens when the wisdom tooth is angled toward the back of the mouth. This is the least common type of impaction.
Vertical Impaction
This type of wisdom tooth is orientated properly, pointing directly north in the mouth, but does not have proper space to emerge from the gumline.
Mesial Impaction
The most common type of impaction. This happens when the wisdom tooth is angled toward the front of the mouth, often pushing molars next to it.
Horizontal Impaction
In this case of impaction, the tooth comes in horizontally, directly perpendicular to a vertical orientation. This type of impaction will also push on surrounding teeth.
If you have an impaction, your dentist will be able to tell you more about which type it may be, and even show you X-rays or other images of the teeth inside of your mouth.
Risks of Untreated Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The risks of untreated and impacted wisdom teeth are many and serious. Among the most common is infection. Many wisdom teeth only partially erupt, with part of the tooth still covered by the gums. This leaves ample room for infection, as bacteria and food can become trapped between the gum and tooth.
Gum disease is also possible around an impacted wisdom tooth, as is an increased risk for cavities and tooth decay.
Among the most serious risks is damage to nearby teeth and your jawbone. Impacted teeth, depending on the type of impaction, push on other teeth. This can move all of the teeth in your arch and even crack surrounding molars.
While not all wisdom teeth begin painfully, these conditions can eventually cause severe pain and reshape your mouth in unhealthy and uncomfortable ways.
We Accept Most Dental Insurance
Absolute Dental in Carson City is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
If you do not see your dental insurance listed here, just give us a call to confirm!
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The best way to understand if you are at risk for impacted wisdom teeth is to regularly receive checkups from your dentist. These checkups are where your dentist will look for wisdom teeth issues, as well as take diagnostic images to make sure they are growing properly.
Otherwise, impacted wisdom teeth may put pressure on surrounding teeth. You may also have signs of swelling or signs of infection around the site of their eruption. In some cases, persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can be caused by impacted wisdom teeth as well.
If you have any pain in the back of your mouth, tell your dentist to have a checkup.
Surgical Removal Process for Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth often require minor oral surgery. In most cases, patients elect to receive some kind ofsedation during the procedure, of which Absolute Dental offers many levels.
If the teeth have not fully erupted, you’ll then get a tiny incision around the tooth to allow your dentist access. After these incisions are made, your dentist will then pull the tooth. In some cases, the tooth may need to be broken into pieces for removal.
Your dentist will then clean the socket and the mouth and close the incision with stitches.
Recovery Timeline and Aftercare Instructions
Recovery will usually take several days. You will likely want to take at least one day off from work for the procedure, likely two to three.
You’ll experience some swelling and discomfort for the first two to three days after the procedure, but these should subside around day four. If possible, take time from work or school to heal properly during this time.
After four days, you can usually return to normal activities, although care must still be taken not to disturb the wound sites. Continue to eat soft foods and refrain from smoking or drinking from straws, if possible. After this, your gums will continue to heal, your stitches will dissolve, and you should feel fully back to normal within a couple of weeks.
Always follow your dentist’s recommended aftercare steps to prevent complications.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions and Complete Dental Care With Absolute Dental
Whether you’re havinga dental emergency, you need surgery to extract impacted wisdom teeth, or your family needs a routine checkup and cleaning, Absolute Dental is there for you in Carson City.
Patients love our top-tier facilities, our friendly and knowledgeable dentists and support staff, and appreciate our patient-centered philosophy of care. Make an appointment online or by calling today.
Eating right before a wisdom tooth removal depends on what type of anesthesia will be used. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow beforehand.
While there is some discomfort with wisdom teeth removal, your doctor can prescribe strong prescription painkillers that can help the process. Moderate discomfort generally lasts only a few days.
In some cases, you can return to work two days after removal. However, the exact timeline depends on your particular case — the type of removal, how many teeth were removed, the type of impaction, etc. It’s best to plan as much time as possible, up to a week.
Impacted wisdom tooth removal is considered to be a minor oral surgery. Even though it is technically a surgical procedure, it is performed thousands of times a day, every day, around the world and is very safe.
Wisdom teeth can be removed at almost any age. However, it is most common to have them removed in the late teens and early 20s because younger people tend to heal faster.
