Are you or your child in need of wisdom tooth removal but feel nervous or uncertain about scheduling an appointment for the big day? We understand your concern and we want to help comfort your worries by providing you with some facts about the procedure.
The truth is that most wisdom teeth removal isn't considered to be an emergency situation, but if one or more of your wisdom teeth are impacted and begin intruding on other teeth, you'll likely begin experiencing severe pain and unavoidable discomfort. When this happens, emergency wisdom tooth removal can help reduce pain and inflammation and prevent other potential problems from occurring such as infections, jaw soreness, and the shifting of your teeth.
Emergency wisdom teeth removal can relieve pain, stop infections, and prevent damage to nearby teeth.
Knowing the signs of impacted wisdom teeth helps you act quickly.
Our team provides clear evaluation, the ability to make an appointment with one of our oral surgeons quickly, and personalized recovery guidance.
This guide answers common questions parents and teens have before and during emergency wisdom teeth removal.
This article is for parents of teens or young adults who may suddenly need emergency wisdom teeth removal, and for patients experiencing pain, swelling, or discomfort themselves. If you’re unsure whether you need urgent care, this guide provides clear steps to help you decide and prepare.
Emergency wisdom teeth removal refers to removing impacted or infected wisdom teeth when symptoms are severe or pose risks to surrounding teeth and tissue. While many extractions are planned, emergencies happen when pain, swelling, or infection become unavoidable. Acting quickly reduces complications such as jaw soreness, shifting of teeth, or infections that can spread.
The signs of impacted wisdom tooth may vary, but there are common symptoms often leading up to need for removal. When determining whether you need emergency wisdom teeth removal or not, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Contrary to popular belief, you may not experience any pain or issue with your wisdom teeth at a pre-teen to young adult age. While many patients do need to have their wisdom teeth removed from the ages of 15-25, plenty of people don't need them removed until much later in life. Everyone's body grows at a different rate, and that's why it's important for you to schedule an examination if you notice any swelling, discomfort, or signs that your wisdom teeth may be impacted.
When any of these symptoms occur you may notice that your mouth feels extra sensitive or sore when brushing your teeth or chewing food. That is completely normal and treatable. If you begin experiencing any of these signs, it's time to get an x-ray in order to determine the best course of action. If it appears that one or more of your wisdom teeth are growing at an angle towards your second molar, back of the mouth, towards other teeth, or trapped within your jawbone, it's likely that emergency wisdom tooth removal will be recommended depending on the risk continued growth poses towards your overall dental health.
In some cases, having your wisdom teeth removed when they come in isn't necessary. However, if your wisdom teeth are impacted as they grow, it can make good dental hygiene impossible. Even if your wisdom teeth come in with no problems, you may develop an infection or tenderness in your gums if they're not cleaned properly and routinely. Since wisdom teeth are located so far back in the mouth and are difficult to reach, brushing and flossing can be difficult and frustrating. This can lead to infections or gum tenderness later.
Removing problematic wisdom teeth can prevent:
Shifting of nearby teeth
Gum disease and infections
Bone loss in the jaw over time
If your wisdom teeth are impacted or causing problems, removing them early can save you time and avoid more serious issues down the road.
Emergency wisdom teeth removal is most often needed when impacted teeth cause pain or infection, but there are several other scenarios that can lead to urgent care. Understanding these problems helps you decide when to act.
Impacted Teeth: When wisdom teeth grow at an angle or get trapped under the gum line, they can press against nearby teeth or bone.
Infections: Bacteria can collect around partially erupted teeth, leading to swelling, bad breath, and pain.
Pericoronitis: This gum infection around erupting wisdom teeth often causes severe discomfort and jaw stiffness.
Cysts or Tumors: Fluid-filled sacs can develop around impacted teeth, potentially damaging surrounding bone or teeth if untreated.
Crowding or Shifting Teeth: Emerging wisdom teeth can push other teeth out of alignment.
Recognizing these common problems early allows us to recommend the safest and most effective treatment plan.
When having your wisdom teeth removed, comfort and open communication with your dentist or oral surgeon are key. You should never feel pushed or misunderstood throughout the process. The surgical procedure is only one step in having those irritating teeth removed. When you first schedule an appointment with the belief you or a loved one may have an impacted tooth, here's what you can expect to happen.
A little preparation can make your visit and recovery smoother. Here are a few things to do before your appointment:
Bring a list of any medications you take and relevant medical history.
Arrange transportation if you expect to have IV sedation.
Eat a light meal if instructed, or follow any fasting guidelines.
Prepare questions you’d like to ask the surgeon, such as recovery expectations or timing.
Plan for a light schedule afterward so you can rest comfortably at home.
Having these details ready helps us focus on your immediate needs and ensures your appointment goes as smoothly as possible.
Patient safety and comfort are our top priorities. Our surgeons use advanced imaging, surgical planning, and sedation techniques to make the procedure efficient and gentle.
We follow strict sterilization and safety protocols, and our team is trained to monitor patients throughout sedation and recovery. This commitment to safety and communication helps build trust and leads to better outcomes for our patients.
Recovery usually involves mild soreness for three to four days, improving each day. During this time, be sure to take it easy in those few days as best you can. Proper aftercare helps prevent complications like dry socket or infection.
With good care, most patients recover smoothly and return to normal activities quickly.
Is emergency wisdom teeth removal painful?
No. With modern anesthesia and sedation, you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Mild soreness afterward is normal and usually lasts only a few days.
Can I wait a few weeks before removing an impacted tooth?
It depends on the severity of symptoms. Waiting can lead to increased pain, swelling, or infection, so it’s best to get evaluated as soon as possible.
Will insurance cover emergency removal?
Many dental insurance plans cover part or all of the cost, especially if the tooth is impacted or causing medical issues. Our team will help you verify coverage before the procedure.
Can emergency removal be done on the same day as the consultation?
If symptoms are severe and scheduling allows, we can sometimes perform the extraction on the same day.
If you or your teen experience swelling, severe pain, difficulty opening the mouth, or signs of infection, it’s time to call. Acting early can prevent more serious complications and make the procedure easier.
Now that you know a little bit behind the scenes about having your wisdom teeth removed, we hope you're feeling confident in scheduling your consultation. Emergency wisdom teeth removal can feel overwhelming, especially for parents and teens, but you’re not alone. Our experienced team is prepared to walk you through every step of the way, from clear diagnosis to comfortable surgery and recovery.
Schedule your appointment today if you're experiencing pain or signs of impacted wisdom teeth.