Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth usually erupt during the ages of 17-22 but the thing is that they don’t always erupt. When wisdom teeth are impacted, the patient may notice symptoms developing over time, which worsen as the wisdom teeth continue to develop. Impacted wisdom teeth lie below the gum line and don’t have room to grow in the mouth. When a patient has impacted wisdom teeth, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS will likely suggest extraction.  

Extracting wisdom teeth does more good than harm. This is because they really don’t serve any purpose in the mouth. Extraction is recommended to avoid throbbing pain in the back of the mouth, swelling around the jaw, tender gums, and/or headaches. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause damage to surrounding teeth, forcing them out of place, and also increase a patient’s risk of developing an infection. If you still have your wisdom teeth intact, and they are causing you discomfort, discuss extraction with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth extraction, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Dr. Eric Meyer in Fullerton commonly performs wisdom teeth extractions in Fullerton, CA. Wisdom teeth are your last set of molars to come in and usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since wisdom teeth can often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push on your other teeth.


If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. If this flap of skin forms, the tooth will be hard to clean and can be infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.


When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Meyer will extract the tooth. Many times all four are removed at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate the patient. It depends on the preference of the doctor and patient, as well as how far the wisdom tooth has emerged. After an anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured.


After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze applied to the incision. To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us by calling 714-879-7943. For more information, visit www.FullertonDental.com.