What Is Periodontal Disease? Signs, Causes & Treatment
July 16, 2026
February 6, 2023
Wisdom teeth, the last set of molars to develop, are notorious for causing dental problems when they don’t have enough room to grow in properly. Understanding what impacted wisdom teeth are, why early detection matters, and what the removal process looks like can help patients and parents
So, make informed decisions about your oral health. This guide walks through the earliest warning signs in adolescence to full recovery after surgery. Let’s get into it!
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth that develop in the jaw behind the molars. These teeth usually erupt when people are in their early to mid-20s. . During early adolescence, X-rays should be taken to see in what position the teeth are developing to evaluate the future risk of problems as the teeth approach eruption.
Teeth begin development in the jaw in childhood. The teeth develop from the crown down. As they develop, some wisdom teeth may become angled or impacted if there isn’t enough room for them to erupt properly ; their roots can develop close to the nerve that runs down the lower jawline. If left to develop fully, it can become more and more complicated to remove them without disturbing this nerve.
Read more – Dental X-Rays and Early Detection Explained
Dental professionals advise getting wisdom teeth examined between the ages of 12 and 13 years old, even before problems occur. By then, the teeth will have developed sufficiently for their growth direction to be predicted relatively accurately. Early detection allows for a variety of approaches to be employed and results in a simpler procedure when tooth extraction becomes necessary.
During the development of the impacted wisdom tooth, the roots of the tooth become increasingly closer to the nerve, which lies near the lower jawbone. The longer the tooth is left in place, the more likely the roots can start surrounding or exerting pressure on the nerve. This makes it difficult to remove the tooth at a later stage.
Not all wisdom teeth necessarily require extraction, and it depends upon whether there is sufficient room in the mouth for their eruption.
The monitoring process typically starts when the child is 12 years old and continues throughout their teenage years while the teeth are developing. When not treated, the impacted wisdom tooth will result in a series of problems such as:
It might seem reasonable to leave a problematic wisdom tooth alone if it isn’t causing pain yet. But dental professionals generally advise against this “wait and see” approach once a tooth is identified as impacted. Here’s why:
The removal of wisdom teeth is among the most frequently undertaken oral surgeries, and it has an impressive safety record when carried out by a qualified expert.
Here’s what you can expect about the process of getting wisdom teeth removed:
The most apparent benefit of extracting one’s wisdom teeth at an early age is the preventative aspect; one does not have to endure pain and infection. Other benefits must be noted, such as:
Impacted wisdom teeth are unlikely to heal by themselves, as delaying treatment increases pain, chances of getting an infection, and even risks of damaging nerves. Early detection and treatment, which should begin at around 12 years of age, make the procedure easier and help you recover quickly. If you or your child is near the age for wisdom teeth eruption, consult your dentist for evaluation.
Around age 12, via X-rays, so dentists can predict how they’ll develop.
No, only teeth that can’t erupt properly or risk damaging nearby teeth or nerves.
Patients are sedated and numbed, so the procedure itself is pain-free; some soreness follows during recovery.
Most patients recover within 3 to 5 days, with pain typically gone by the one-week checkup.
It can cause crowding, infection, decay, chronic pain, and increased risk of nerve damage over time.
What Is Periodontal Disease? Signs, Causes & Treatment
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