Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, the “third” molar at both ends of the top and bottom row of teeth. As the wisdom teeth begin to grow, they can become impacted, or trapped in the jawbone and/or gums. As they continue to grow beneath the

gum line in an angled or horizontal direction, displacement of the original line of teeth and wearing into the back molars can occur.
Unfortunately, wisdom teeth that are unable to surface above the gum line can lead to inflammation and infection. In some cases, a pocket can form under the gumline, which can lead to the frmation of a cyst or tumor.If left untreated, wisdom teeth cause permanent damage

including cavities, nerve damage, gum infection, bone infection, and a weakening of the jaw. In far too many cases, wisdom teeth often grow unnoticed until they cause problems in the mouth or outlying areas causing headaches, pain in the ears, neck, upper or lower jaw.

Generally, wisdom teeth should be extracted when the teeth are impacted and pose a risk. In certain cases, surgery may require an incision into the gums, partial bone removal, and/or sectioning of the tooth before removal. The procedure is almost always performed in office, on an outpatient basis.