Wisdom Teeth Specialist

Not sure if your wisdom teeth need attention? If it hurts, if it's swollen, or if a tooth is only partway through the gum, it's worth an evaluation. Here's what our East Orange team assesses and treats:

Impacted Wisdom Teeth: A tooth trapped in the bone or gum with no room to emerge can form a cyst around the crown, damaging nerves, roots, and surrounding bone. CBCT imaging shows us the exact angle and depth of impaction before we recommend a course of action.

Partially Erupted Wisdom Teeth: When a tooth only breaks partway through the gum, it creates a flap where bacteria collect - leading to gum inflammation, infection, and cavities in the surrounding teeth. We assess whether this can be treated in-office or needs a specialist referral.

Wisdom Tooth Pain or Infection: Throbbing pain, swelling, or a bad taste near your back molars are signs of infection or pressure from an erupting or impacted tooth. We identify the cause by imaging the same visit and get you a clear treatment plan.

Crowding from Erupting Wisdom Teeth: A wisdom tooth pushing against neighboring teeth can shift your bite and undo years of orthodontic work. CBCT imaging shows us whether extraction will resolve the pressure before damage progresses.

Nerve-Adjacent or High-Risk Cases: Some wisdom teeth sit close to the jaw nerve or sinus cavity. These cases carry real surgical risk, and we refer them to an oral surgeon rather than treating them in-office - a decision made from the imaging, not convenience.

What to Expect at Your Wisdom Teeth Evaluation

1. Call or Book Online: Call or schedule online. Let our front desk know if you're in pain and we'll prioritize getting you seen.
2. CBCT 3D Imaging: We take a full 3D scan of your jaw, teeth, and surrounding nerve structures the same visit - not a flat 2D X-ray.
3. Clear In-Office vs. Referral Decision: Based on what the imaging shows, we tell you plainly whether your case is a same-visit extraction or a referral to an oral surgeon, and why.
4. Treatment or Coordinated Referral: Straightforward extractions are completed by our general dentists. Complex cases are referred out, and we help coordinate that appointment.
5. Recovery Plan: Every patient leaves with clear aftercare instructions and a way to reach us if something doesn't feel like normal healing.
   
   
   

Wisdom Teeth Q & A

1: Will my case be treated in-office or referred to a specialist? 

It depends entirely on what your CBCT scan shows. Straightforward and moderately positioned wisdom teeth are typically removed by our general dentists in East Orange. If imaging shows deep impaction or close nerve involvement, we refer you to an oral surgeon we trust, and we walk you through why before you leave your consultation.

2: When do I need my wisdom teeth removed? 

Most people's wisdom teeth emerge in their late teens to early twenties, though timing varies. The clearest signal it's time for an evaluation isn't age - it's pain, gum swelling, infection, or a tooth beginning to erupt. 

3: Why do wisdom teeth need to come out? 

An impacted tooth can form cysts and damage nerves, roots, and bone. A partially erupted tooth traps bacteria, leading to infection and gum disease. CBCT imaging tells us which of these situations you're actually dealing with before we recommend treatment.

4: Is CBCT imaging safe? 

Yes. CBCT uses a low radiation dose, generally comparable to or lower than a full series of traditional dental X-rays, while providing far more diagnostic detail. We only order it when it changes the treatment decision.

5: What's the recovery process like? 

Recovery typically takes 7-10 days. You can brush carefully after 24 hours, and most patients return to work and light activity within a few days. Contact us anytime if something doesn't feel like normal healing, such as a dry socket.

Ready to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Checked Out?

Whether you're dealing with pain right now or just want to know where things stand before they get worse, Academy Dental's team at East Orange or Hamilton will give you a clear answer backed by CBCT imaging. 

Schedule Your Consultation →