Request an appointment

Wisdom Tooth Care

Quick links

Oral & maxillofacial surgery is our profession, but people are our focus.

Wisdom teeth: a guide for parents & patients

Why they need to be pulled

Your mouth was designed to hold 28 teeth, not 32. By the time your wisdom teeth start to grow, those 28 slots are already filled, making it difficult for them to grow in properly. That’s why nine out of ten people find themselves with at least one impacted wisdom tooth that requires extraction. Even when properly positioned, wisdom teeth can easily become infected and are at risk for cysts and tumors (see The Trouble with Wisdom Teeth).

With wisdom teeth, everything is timing.

You may have noticed that many of your friends are having their wisdom teeth pulled out too. Why? That’s because there is an optimal (yet fleeting) opportunity between the ages of 17-25 when the tooth roots haven’t fully formed yet. Thus, the risk of damaging nearby nerves, bones, and teeth during this time is significantly less.

Your dentist says you need your wisdom teeth extracted. What now?

The removal of wisdom teeth is a routine procedure in our office, but it probably doesn’t feel that way to you. For many of our patients, just hearing the words “surgery” and “extraction” tends to bring up some fears. We at Memorial Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery want you to know that wisdom teeth extraction is safe, quick, and comfortable.

As oral surgery specialists with extensive training and experience, we offer a different kind of “wisdom teeth experience” to our patients and their families. We are with you every step of the way and pay extra attention to the most critical parts of your child’s care, including:

Anesthesia with a variety of options available.
Compassion and comfort to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Home care and after-hours contact information.
A thoughtful surgical strategy to minimize the need for invasive techniques.
Careful consideration of timing to ensure the easiest recovery possible.

Having your wisdom teeth pulled

During your initial consultation, we will take x-rays and use specialized imaging tools to get a clear picture of the positioning of your wisdom teeth.

Making your experience great

We are committed to giving you a great experience! Thanks to rapidly advancing technology, new medicines, sterilization, infection control options, and anesthesia options, our oral surgeons can perform the procedure in a way that promotes quicker healing, minimizes pain, and maximizes comfort.

The day of your procedure

Prior to your wisdom teeth removal surgery, we will send you home with very specific pre- and post-surgical instructions so that you know what to expect.

A few key items:

Don’t eat or drink on the day of your procedure. (Pre-approved medications may be taken with a sip of water.)
Anesthesia: Most people prefer to be sedated for the procedure; however, we do offer a variety of levels of anesthesia to accommodate personal preferences. We are trained and highly experienced with anesthesia to provide you with a safe and comfortable experience.
Bring a Parent (or responsible adult): It is necessary that you bring a responsible adult with you to the office and that they remain with you throughout the day. We will not be able to release you alone.
Medications: Make sure you have your pain medications (over the counter and prescription if necessary) ready to go for when the anesthesia starts to wear off at home.
When You Get Home: You will feel sleepy for the remainder of the day. You may have numbness in the jaw (which shouldn’t be confused with nerve damage) and possibly a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth – all of this is a normal part of the healing process.
Foods: Specific instructions will be sent home with you regarding the reintroduction of foods. But, as a general rule, start with clear liquids and progress to other soft foods slowly. Avoid dairy products the first day, as they tend to interact with anesthesia, sometimes causing nausea.
NO Straws: Throughout the healing period, you may not use straws (or tobacco). Using straws can dislodge the clot that is covering your extraction site, resulting in a very painful condition called “dry socket”.

Wisdom teeth: the procedure

The length of your surgery depends on a variety of factors including the level of impaction of your teeth and the number of teeth being removed. However, most wisdom teeth extractions can be performed in about an hour. During that time you will be kept comfortable with anesthesia.

Recovery from wisdom teeth extraction

Post-op soreness can typically be managed with over-the-counter medications; however, all medication options will be discussed ahead of your surgery to ensure that you have adequate pain relief at home as the anesthesia wears off. Be sure to talk to your oral surgeon about any concerns you may have.

Wisdom teeth post-surgery complications

Complications following wisdom teeth removal are rare and largely avoidable. However, if you suspect any of these complications, please call us for instructions:

Dry sockets

The most common complication following a tooth extraction, “dry socket”, occurs when the blood clot in an extraction site becomes dislodged or never develops properly. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including smoking and straw use, improper home care such as vigorous rinsing, and unknown infections. If you have symptoms of dry socket, please call our office immediately so that we can get you proper care and pain control. Dry socket symptoms typically appear several days after your surgery and may include:

Significant pain.
Pain radiating to the ear, cheek, etc.
Bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Visible bone or an empty-looking socket.

Infection

Signs of infection include fever, worsening pain, and swelling.

Damage to sensory nerve

It is normal to feel some numbness or tingling in the lower lip, chin, or tongue following surgery. However, very rarely, sensory nerve damage occurs that causes the sensation to stay permanently. Having your wisdom teeth out early (before 18) lessens the likelihood that this condition will develop — another reason to take care of this important procedure during the teen years!

Sinus communication

Because the upper wisdom teeth are so close to the sinus cavities, occasionally an opening appears between the sinuses and the mouth following extraction. This “hole” will usually close on its own, provided that you follow specific instructions (avoid blowing your nose, sneeze with your mouth open) to avoid a pressure buildup in the sinuses for a few days. Very rarely, we must perform an additional procedure to close the opening.

If you have any questions regarding your pre-operation, procedure, or post-surgery, do not hesitate to contact our office. The more informed you are the more comfortable you will be. Together, you and our team of experts will give you the best experience.

The cost of wisdom teeth removal

The cost of wisdom teeth removal varies depending on several circumstances (positioning, level of impaction, number of teeth) that are unique to your teen’s case. We will discuss all costs with you upfront and can help you determine whether your insurance offers any benefits for the procedure.

The cost of waiting

Because it is so common for wisdom teeth to cause problems such as infection, pain, damage to neighboring teeth, and, in rare circumstances, cysts and tumors, it is generally recognized as standard practice to remove them in most people during the late teens and early twenties, before the roots have fully developed. Waiting to remove them increases the likelihood of problems and complications should they need to be removed down the road.

Complications of wisdom tooth removal

As with any surgical procedure, there are some possible complications associated with the removal of the third molars. However, since the procedure has been very well tested, these complications (nerve injuries, fractures and injury to the joint) are very rare, and, if the surgery is performed at an early age, the risk is even less.

The trouble with wisdom teeth

Are you feeling unsure about getting your wisdom teeth extracted? Consider this: Wisdom teeth that are not removed can cause the following problems throughout your life:

Infection

Your gums can become infected, a condition known as “pericoronitis”, due to the wisdom teeth unsuccessfully trying to push through the gum tissue. This condition, which causes pain, swelling, and problems swallowing, can recur periodically.

Cysts and benign tumors

Cysts are fluid-filled pockets that can form inside the jawbone when wisdom teeth are impacted. They can be very damaging and difficult to treat as they destroy jawbone and even neighboring teeth.

Crowding and alignment issues

It should be no surprise that impacted wisdom teeth crowd your smile, causing misalignment issues, even if you have had braces.

Damage to nearby teeth

Wisdom teeth are notorious for damaging their neighbors by making it difficult to practice good hygiene in the area. This often results in decay, gum disease, and sometimes bone loss.

The best opportunity for our patients to get their questions answered is to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced surgeons. Each patient is unique. Through an x-ray and consultation, our surgeons can give a more complete treatment plan. Don’t wait too long and turn your third molar extraction into multiple issues. Call one of our offices in Memorial, Cypress, or Katy. You can also click here to request an appointment.

Memorial Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is the home of five board-certified oral surgery experts. With a focus on comfort and safety, our oral surgeons perform treatments quickly, accurately, and gently.

© Copyright 2026 Memorial Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | All Rights Reserved | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Site by Digimatiq

Serving patients in Houston, Cypress, Katy & surrounding areas