When is the Best Time for Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

Deciding upon the best time for wisdom teeth extraction relies upon a few important factors, even though it is considered a routine procedure. Knowing when to schedule your wisdom teeth extraction is best determined with the help of an experienced oral surgeon. After a thorough exam and x-rays, your oral surgeon will recommend a timeline for extraction.

Factors such as your age, symptoms, your lifestyle, and schedule are all considerations that your surgeon will take into account when discussing the optimal time for having your wisdom teeth removed.

Age as a Factor

Between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five is generally when wisdom teeth will erupt. For some individuals, this process produces little or no discomfort. Others experience impaction, meaning the tooth is stuck in the gum and can’t erupt due to lack of space. Impaction can cause infection, pain, and damage to neighboring teeth.

Regular checkups for individuals between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five are recommended to monitor wisdom teeth as they come in. Extraction will be recommended for those who have impacted wisdom teeth, and often even if wisdom teeth are not causing any problems. The optimal age for wisdom teeth extraction is generally between ages seventeen and twenty-five, before the teeth become firmly rooted.

Once the determination is made that your wisdom teeth need to be removed, waiting to do so is not recommended. Waiting increases the odds that your wisdom teeth will cause problems such as infection or damage to adjacent teeth. Additionally, waiting until adulthood or later increases the risk of nerve damage during extraction and will likely lead to a longer recovery time.

Scheduling Extraction Around Your Schedule

Ideally, your oral surgeon will work with you to find a time when extraction will most comfortably fit into your schedule. Before scheduling your surgery, you should understand a general timeline for your recovery. Typically, a few days of rest, pain management, and a liquid or soft foods diet is required.

For a young person in high school or college, the best plan is to schedule your extraction during your summer break or over an extended holiday break. If you are working, you will need to plan a few days off for your recovery.

As you plan your recovery, also keep in mind that you will need to avoid sports, heavy lifting, or strenuous activity for a period of time recommended by your oral surgeon. Planning ahead to modify your usual work or study schedules will allow you the time you need to recover well.

Your oral surgeon will guide you through the wisdom teeth extraction process and recovery. To discuss the best time for wisdom teeth extraction, contact the experienced team at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah.