Wisdom teeth removal in Falls Church, VA
At Broadview Dental, we provide wisdom teeth removal in Falls Church, VA, along with honest guidance about whether removal is the right choice for you. Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the very back of the mouth. They typically emerge during the late teens or early twenties and can cause problems when there is not enough room for them to erupt properly.
Which wisdom teeth need removing, and which are better left alone
Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed. If a tooth has erupted normally, lines up with the tooth above it and is easy to keep clean, it may be best to leave it alone and monitor it during regular checkups.
The ones that cause problems are the ones that cannot fully arrive. A tooth partly through the gum leaves a flap that traps food and becomes infected. A tooth angled into the one in front presses against it below the gumline, in a spot no toothbrush or floss reaches. Neither of those situations resolves on its own; they recur, and each recurrence tends to be a little worse.
Dr. Nam will evaluate your wisdom teeth using X-rays, an exam and any symptoms you have experienced, not age alone. If your wisdom teeth are healthy and stable, we will let you know and continue monitoring them at your regular checkups.
When wisdom teeth need to come out
Usually for one of these reasons, and usually after it has happened more than once.
Infection that keeps coming back
The gum over a partly erupted tooth traps food and swells, sometimes badly enough to make opening your mouth difficult. It settles with cleaning and occasionally antibiotics, and then it returns. Repeat episodes are a common reason to recommend wisdom tooth removal. A flare-up now is emergency dental care.
Decay in the tooth in front
An angled wisdom tooth presses on the second molar just below the gumline, where nothing can clean between the two. The wisdom tooth is rarely the one that suffers most; the healthy tooth in front is, and repairing that falls to restorative dentistry.
Pressure, ache or a stiff jaw
A dull ache right at the back, trouble opening fully, or discomfort that comes and goes over months. Worth an X-ray even when it settles by itself, because settling is not the same as resolving.
Something showing on the X-ray
An impacted tooth sitting in the bone can occasionally form a cyst around it, or press on the roots of its neighbor. These issues may not cause noticeable symptoms early on, which is one reason wisdom teeth should be evaluated on X-rays.
It simply cannot be cleaned
A tooth set so far back that a brush does not properly reach it will decay eventually, however careful you are with everything else. Sometimes the honest reason for removal is access rather than pain.
How the position of a wisdom tooth changes the removal
An X-ray helps us understand how your wisdom tooth is positioned, so Dr. Nam can recommend the right treatment and provide an accurate cost estimate.
- Fully erupted and uprightREMOVAL IS OFTENSTRAIGHTFORWARD
- If a wisdom tooth has come in normally and is easy to access, removing it is often similar to a routine molar extraction. In some cases, a healthy upright wisdom tooth may not need to be removed at all.
- Angled toward the tooth in frontREMOVAL MAY BEMORE INVOLVED
- When a wisdom tooth leans toward the molar in front of it, it may need to be removed in sections. This allows Dr. Nam to remove the tooth carefully while protecting the surrounding teeth and tissues.
- Lying on its side in the boneREMOVAL ISSURGICAL
- A wisdom tooth that is lying on its side in the bone cannot erupt normally. Surgical removal may involve making a small opening in the gum and removing the tooth in sections. Recovery can take longer than it does with a fully erupted tooth.
- Sitting close to the nerveREMOVAL MAYREQUIRE A REFERRAL
- The nerve that provides feeling to the lower lip and chin can run close to the roots of lower wisdom teeth. If an X-ray shows that the tooth is close to the nerve, Dr. Nam may recommend additional imaging or refer you to an oral surgeon for treatment.
Schedule a wisdom teeth assessment in Falls Church, VA
If you have ongoing pain, repeated swelling or infection, or were told your wisdom teeth may need to come out one day, an X-ray and a professional evaluation can give you clear answers. Many wisdom teeth never need removal, and an assessment can help determine whether yours should be monitored or treated.
Broadview Dental is conveniently located on West Broad Street in Falls Church, VA, making it easy to visit if you live or work nearby. We welcome new patients and are here to help you understand your options. Call (571) 584-0020 or use the form below to schedule a wisdom teeth removal consultation near you.
Wisdom teeth care in Falls Church, VA with Dr. Nam
Dr. Nam at Broadview Dental assesses wisdom teeth himself and removes them when that is the right call. If a wisdom tooth is close to a nerve or requires a level of surgical care better handled by an oral surgeon, Dr. Nam will explain your options and coordinate a referral.
Wisdom teeth removal costs, insurance and payment options
The cost of wisdom teeth removal depends on how each tooth is positioned and whether the procedure is straightforward or surgical. After your X-ray and exam, we can explain your treatment options and provide a clear estimate. If more than one wisdom tooth needs to be removed, we will review the full treatment plan and cost with you. Learn more about our insurance and payment options.
No insurance? Our in-house membership plan is available for patients paying out of pocket. You can also review our current specials for available offers.
Call (571) 584-0020 with your insurance details, and our team can help you understand your benefits.
Patient reviews in Falls Church, VA
Questions about wisdom teeth
Anything else, just call. We are happy to talk it through before you book.
Not automatically, and not simply because you have them. If they have come through straight, meet the tooth above and can be kept clean, they are teeth like any others and are best left where they are. Removal is for the ones causing problems or clearly heading that way.
For some patients, removal in the late teens or twenties can be less complex because the roots may be less developed. However, the right timing depends on the position of the teeth, your symptoms and your overall oral health.
Recovery depends on how the tooth is positioned and whether the removal is straightforward or surgical. Swelling commonly peaks around the second or third day and then begins to improve. Most patients experience the most noticeable swelling and discomfort during the first several days, while healing continues over the following weeks. The aftercare itself is the same as for any tooth extraction, and we go through it with you before you leave to ensure you fully understand the process.
Sometimes, and some people much prefer one appointment and one recovery to four of each. Others would rather do one side at a time so they can still eat properly on the other. We will tell you which is realistic for your teeth, and then it is your decision.
Most wisdom teeth are removed with local anesthetic, meaning you are awake but the area is fully numb. If a case calls for sedation or general anesthesia, Dr. Nam will discuss the appropriate options for your specific needs with you.
Plenty of people leave theirs alone for life without any trouble at all. The risk with a problem tooth is that the damage lands on the healthy second molar in front of it, and protecting that tooth is often an important part of the decision.
Where to find us
Broadview Dental is at 101 W Broad St, Suite 200 in Falls Church, VA. We are open Monday to Saturday and welcoming new patients of all ages.
Call us or send the form and we will follow up to arrange a time that suits you.
Request an appointment
We’ll follow up by phone or email to confirm a time. Please don’t include sensitive health information.