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Wisdom Tooth Removal in Pittsburgh, PA

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

The average mouth is built to hold 28 teeth, with each tooth carrying a specific function. However, we have four additional teeth that usually erupt during our teenage years. These are known as third molars, or wisdom teeth.

Though wisdom teeth may erupt without any issues for some patients, this is extremely rare. Most people’s mouths can’t hold 32 teeth, leading to pain and other issues. That’s why we recommend having your wisdom teeth removed before they impact your health.

Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

When wisdom teeth don’t erupt properly in your gums, they become impacted. There are several different types of impacted wisdom teeth, some of which include:

  • Mesial — the crown of the wisdom tooth is angled towards the front of your mouth with the roots pressed against a neighboring tooth
  • Distal — the crown of the wisdom tooth is angled towards the back of your mouth with the roots pressed against a neighboring tooth
  • Horizontal — the wisdom tooth is on its side with the crown pressed against an adjacent tooth
  • Soft-Tissue — most or all of the wisdom tooth is trapped beneath your gum tissue

Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to a variety of debilitating health problems, including severe pain, oral infections, a misaligned bite, and more. That’s why we recommend having them removed before any issues develop.

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Our Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

Before your procedure begins, we’ll administer local or general anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel any pain. While you’re anesthetized, one of our dentists will gently remove your wisdom teeth and stitch up your gum tissue. We’ll also provide a pad of gauze to bite down on, minimizing the bleeding.

You’ll remain under our supervision until we determine that it’s safe for you to leave. We’ll send you home with a post-op kit that will include care instructions, antibiotics, and a prescription for pain medication. To ensure the extraction went smoothly, we’ll also recommend that you schedule a follow-up appointment for the next week.

Visit Drs. Dugan & Sweeney for Wisdom Teeth Removal

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, it’s essential to get them removed as soon as possible. Both of our dentists are experienced oral surgeons who will ensure you receive comfortable treatment that delivers spectacular results.

Call our practice at (412) 366-2090 and schedule your consultation today — we look forward to meeting you.

Surgical Instructions For Post Wisdom Teeth Care

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
What are the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth?
What is the best age for wisdom teeth removal?
Does everybody need to have their wisdom teeth removed?
What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is the result of insufficient room in the mouth for the tooth to develop and erupt properly. In some cases, the tooth is only partially impacted—meaning that part of the tooth was able to emerge from the gums. 

When a tooth is fully impacted, it may have grown at an angle. This causes it to push on the tooth next to it, or even grow at a right angle to other teeth. Fully impacted wisdom teeth may also grow at a proper angle but remain lodged in the jawbone.

Complications of impacted wisdom teeth may include damage to nearby teeth or the jawbone, the formation of cysts, decay, and gum disease. The best treatment for an impacted wisdom tooth is removal.

What are the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth?
Common symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth include:

  • Pain in the jaw or face
  • Bleeding gums
  • Numbness
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty opening the jaw
  • Bad breath
  • Swollen glands in the neck

Bi-annual dental examinations and yearly X-rays are the best way to prevent pain and complications caused by impacted wisdom teeth. This allows our dentists to identify potential issues and treat them proactively.

What is the best age for wisdom teeth removal?
In most people, the third molars erupt during the late teenage years or the early twenties. The majority of our patients have their wisdom teeth extracted when they’re in high school, shortly after the teeth have erupted. 

While it’s possible to have wisdom teeth removed at a later stage, patients who postpone extraction may increase their risk of further problems. This may include infection, damage to surrounding teeth, and even nerve damage.

Does everybody need to have their wisdom teeth removed?
No–not everybody needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, not impacting surrounding teeth, and you can clean them properly with normal dental hygiene, you may never need to have them removed.

However, if you have impacted wisdom teeth, you’ll want them to be removed as soon as possible. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced dentists by calling (412) 366-2090 and we’ll have you on the road to recovery in no time.

Pittsburgh Office
Pittsburgh Location Dugan and Sweeney
9401 McKnight Rd Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412) 366- 2090
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Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

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Butler Office
Butler Office Dugan and Sweeney
373 Evans City Road
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 282-6312
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Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

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Zelienople Office
Zelienople Office Dugan and Sweeney
506 South Main Street Suite 2101
Zelienople, PA 16063
Phone: (724) 452-9153
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Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

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Greenville Office
Greenville Office Dugan and Sweeney
2 Greenville Orthopedic Center
Greenville, PA 16125
Phone: (724) 588-7260
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Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

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