Wisdom teeth removal: questions to ask before you decide

Not everyone needs wisdom teeth (third molars) removed. Dentists usually recommend removal when they are causing or likely to cause problems, such as repeated infection of the gum over a partly erupted tooth, decay, damage to the neighboring tooth, cysts, or not enough room to erupt and be cleaned.

Questions to ask:

• “What problem are you seeing, or expecting, with each wisdom tooth?”
• “What happens if we monitor them instead?”
• “Who will do it — you or an oral surgeon?”
• “What anesthesia or sedation options are there, and what do I need to arrange (fasting, a driver)?”
• “How close are the roots to the nerve, and what are the risks?”
• “What should recovery look like, and what signs mean I should call?”
• “Can I have a written estimate with procedure codes?” (check with the dental insurance glossary)

After surgery, follow your surgeon’s written instructions. Increasing pain several days later, fever or swelling should be checked, and trouble breathing or swallowing or heavy bleeding that won’t stop with pressure needs emergency care. The which dentist do I need? tool tool explains oral surgeons, and the dental cost factors page covers what affects the price.

General education only, not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Please see a licensed dentist about your own situation. For a medical emergency (trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding, a major injury or rapidly spreading swelling), call 911 or go to the nearest ER.