Many teens and adults have developed a full set of primary teeth and are unaware that they may have an additional set of teeth growing under the surface of their gums that can cause significant problems. This third set of molars that sometimes grow into the mouth are called “wisdom teeth” and are often undetectable without regular dental examinations until they become a problem. Oftentimes, wisdom teeth grow beneath the surface of the gums and x-rays of the mouth are required to determine if they are present. Other times, the teeth partially emerge from the gums but do not grow in completely.

While these teeth have the ability to provide added value to the mouth by increasing its chewing and grinding power, they frequently do not grow into the mouth in a manner that allows patients to experience their benefit. Many people do not have enough room in their mouth and along their jaw bone for these teeth to grow in properly, which can cause problems for the rest of the teeth in the mouth.

The presence of wisdom teeth makes patients more susceptible to other problems inside the mouth, including:

• Misalignment of healthy teeth as the wisdom teeth push the second molars forward and cause dental crowding and shifting throughout the mouth

• Swelling, stiffness, tenderness, pain, and even bad breath in the mouth caused by periodontal disease

• Increased risk of tumor growth and cyst development which can, in turn, cause issues in healthy teeth and the jaw bone

• Bacterial growth, gum disease, and tooth decay

At Northeast Surgical Specialists, we recommend that the wisdom teeth be removed early, usually during the mid- to late teens, even if they haven’t begun to emerge from the gums yet. The removal process is generally much more rapid if wisdom teeth are removed early, because the roots of the teeth are not fully developed and younger patients are more likely to recover quickly from surgery.

Prior to wisdom teeth removal, you will receive a thorough oral examination, x-rays and 3-D scanning of the mouth to determine the position and size of the teeth. Your procedure will be performed in a surgical center accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. Dr. Kelling and Dr.Condry have been extensively trained to administer anesthesia, and our office offers multiple anesthetic options, including:

• Local Anesthesia – an anesthetic applied directly to the area of removal

• Sedation Anesthesia – administered through an intravenous (IV) line which suppresses your consciousness during the procedure

• General Anesthesia – an anesthetic inhaled through the nose or administered intravenously which causes you to lose total consciousness during the procedure

Our skilled surgeons and highly trained office staff will answer any questions you may have prior to your procedure to ensure you are fully informed and help you chose the method of anesthesia that is best for you. At Northeast Surgical Specialists, we do everything in our power to ensure that you have a comfortable and rapid recovery following your surgery and achieve the optimum result.

Northeast Surgical Specialists maintains two office locations in Saratoga Springs & Queensbury, NY, and offers various oral surgical procedures and treatments, including wisdom teeth removal. Drs. Kelling and Condry service all of Warren and Saratoga Counties including Corinth, Mechanicville, Queensbury, Cambridge, Saratoga, Lake Placid, Glens Falls, Galway, Ballston Spa, Ballston Lake, South Glens Falls, Fort Ann, Greenwich, Hudson Falls, Granville, Lake George, Warrensbury, Milton, Greenfield Center, Burnt Hills, Wilton, Clifton Park, Gansevoort, Ticonderoga, Saranac Lake, Gloversville, Schroon Lake, Malta, and Hoosick Falls.

More Information about Wisdom Teeth, Wisdom Tooth Extraction:

• AAOMS

• ​​​​​​​YouTube

If you just want to ask a few questions, give us a call. You can find all the ways to contact us here. We look forward to hearing from you.