Wisdom Teeth Removal in Caldwell and Florham Park, NJ

Safe and Painless Removal

At The New Jersey Center for Oral Surgery, our oral surgeons Dr. Jacobs, Dr. Kirsch, and Dr. Zambetti can gently and efficiently remove your wisdom teeth before they can cause further damage to your oral and overall health. Our team in Caldwell and Florham Park are dedicated to helping you get the care you need.  We serve all of Northern New Jersey, including Morristown, Livingston, Chatham, Madison, Wayne and surrounding areas.  

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that can erupt around the ages of 16 to 25.  They usually erupt years after your adult teeth have grown in and can have negative effects on surrounding teeth.  Removal of wisdom teeth is often necessary to prevent constant pain, infections, and dental issues that can arise during their eruption. We have created a handout that further explains more about wisdom teeth below.

Wisdom Teeth handout for patients

Why It’s Necessary to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not necessarily require removal.  Statistically, wisdom teeth are likely to become problematic at some point in your lifetime.  It is recommended for patients to have a consultation with an oral surgeon to discuss if wisdom teeth removal is appropriate for you.  We recommend seeing one of our surgeons by age 16 when possible.

When wisdom teeth are not addressed in a timely manner, some of the following conditions may develop.

Infection:

The most frequent clinical problem we see is pericoronitis (a localized gum infection). Without enough room for total eruption, the gum tissue around the wisdom can become irritated and infected. This results in recurrent pain, swelling, and problems with chewing and/or swallowing.

Cyst Formation:

Non-infection diseases may also arise in association with an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts are fluid-filled “balloons” inside the jawbone that develop as a result of impacted teeth and slowly expand destroying adjacent jawbone and occasionally teeth. They can be very difficult to treat if your wisdom teeth aren’t removed in your teenage years. Although rare, tumors can be associated with the delayed removal of wisdom teeth.

Possible Crowding:

Impacted wisdom teeth may contribute to the crowding of your teeth. This is most noticeable with the front teeth, primarily the lower front teeth, and is most commonly seen after a patient has had braces. There are a number of factors that cause teeth to crowd after braces or early adulthood. Retained, impacted teeth may be a contributing factor. Unless you have an active problem when you see your oral surgeon, the reason for removal is primarily to prevent long-term damage to your teeth, gums, and jawbone.

Damage to Adjacent Teeth:

If there’s inadequate room to clean around the wisdom teeth, the tooth directly in front, the second molar, can be adversely affected resulting in gum disease, bone loss around the tooth, and/or decay.

Initial Consultation

Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in superior outcomes for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in their mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist, or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Oral Examination

When you come into our office for your consultation with one of your oral surgeons, he’ll prepare an oral examination and X-rays of the mouth. This is necessary in order to evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or may be future problems. 

Radiographic Examination

The most common screening radiograph for wisdom teeth is a PANOREX. In some cases, a Cone Beam CAT Scan may be recommended. Research found that “if the wisdom teeth are deemed to be close proximity to the mandibular canal, then a CBCT or CAT Scan should be ordered for further evaluation. A single panoramic radiograph could be insufficient owing to the image disturbance compared with a CAT Scan. however, CBCT is the gold standard owing to the lower radiation exposure and lower cost compared with CT.” For your convenience, our oral surgeons can obtain these images right in their offices.

Removing Your Wisdom Teeth

In most cases, the removal of impacted wisdom teeth is performed in our office under IV sedation or general anesthesia. Anesthesia options, as well as your specific risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you at your consultation visit before the procedure is performed. Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern equipment and trained staff who are experienced in anesthesia procedures.

Once your oral surgeon makes sure you’re relaxed and don’t feel any pain, he’ll begin the process. He’ll efficiently and safely remove your wisdom tooth by gently separating it from the gum tissue. After the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured with dissolving sutures that will melt away as you heal.

Immediately after your procedure, you’ll rest comfortably under supervision in our Caldwell or Florham Park office until you’re ready to go home. Upon your discharge, your postoperative kit will include the following:

• Gauze
• Ice pack
• Post-operative instructions
• Prescriptions medications
• A follow-up appointment

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our Caldwell office at (973) 226-8444 or our Florham Park office at (973) 261-8444.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take?

The wisdom tooth extraction can be completed in just one appointment at either of our offices in Caldwell or Florham Park. On average, the procedure can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to complete, however, it depends on your situation and needs. At your initial appointment, your oral surgeon will provide you with an accurate treatment timeline and what to expect.

What can I eat after a wisdom tooth extraction?

After the procedure, your oral surgeon will advise you to stick to a soft and liquid-based diet to avoid aggravating your extraction site for at least two weeks. These are some of the foods you can eat:

• Mashed potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Applesauce
• Juices and smoothies
• Blended soups and broth
• Yogurt and pudding

What do I do if my extraction site becomes infected?

If your extraction site becomes infected, immediately call our Caldwell office at (973) 226-8444 or our Florham Park office at (973) 261-8444 so that we can clean out the infected area. Your oral surgeon will prescribe you antibiotics to prevent infection from occurring. 

Protect Your Oral Health

Removing your wisdom teeth can help improve and protect your oral health from getting worse. Delaying the removal will only worsen and can lead to health risks. If you believe you’re suffering from an impacted wisdom tooth, call our Caldwell office at (973) 226-8444 or our Florham Park office at (973) 261-8444 to schedule an appointment today. You can also book online below and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.