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Wisdom teeth removal is a rite of passage for many teens and college-bound young adults — but that doesn’t mean it should be rushed, delayed, or referred to a clinic you’ve never heard of.
At Dentistry for Children and Teens, we perform in-house evaluations and extractions, all under the guidance of our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Paul Cho, D.M.D., M.D.. Whether your teen is in braces, prepping for graduation photos, or heading off to school, here’s what you need to know about timing, imaging, and sedation.
Why Teens May Need Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth (also called third molars) typically begin to erupt between ages 15 and 20, often without pain — at first. But if there’s not enough space, or the teeth come in at an angle, they can cause serious problems:
- Swelling, pain, and infection
- Crowding of front teeth (even after braces)
- Jaw stiffness or tenderness
- Decay in adjacent molars
- Impacted or partially erupted teeth
That’s why we recommend early monitoring — before pain starts — using advanced digital X-rays and panoramic imaging to map each tooth’s position with ultra-low radiation.
How We Evaluate Wisdom Teeth In-House
Your teen doesn’t need to be referred out for evaluation. Our diagnostic process is fully in-house, allowing us to:
- Use panoramic imaging to view tooth position, nerve pathways, and bone structure
- Evaluate the angle and eruption pattern of each wisdom tooth
- Determine the safest time to remove them — before root development makes surgery more complex
- Build a custom treatment plan that coordinates with your teen’s schedule (sports, exams, or college prep)
This is part of our broader approach to Oral Surgery & Sedation, which allows us to manage surgical extractions, impacted teeth, and sedation without ever sending your child elsewhere.
Why Timing Matters (And Why Earlier Can Be Better)
In general, ages 16 to 18 is the ideal window for removal. At this stage:
- The roots are not fully developed, reducing the complexity of surgery
- Bone is softer, making healing faster
- Teens are often still on a school schedule, allowing for recovery over a break
- Waiting too long can increase the risk of impaction, cysts, or nerve involvement
If your teen is wearing braces, we often time imaging and wisdom tooth removal to protect orthodontic results.
In-House IV Sedation for Maximum Comfort
At many general offices, wisdom teeth are referred out to surgery centers or unfamiliar providers. Here, it’s handled under one roof — with familiar staff and state-of-the-art sedation options, including:
- IV Sedation, administered by our oral surgeon, Dr. Cho (who holds both a medical and dental degree)
- Oral Conscious Sedation for mild to moderate anxiety
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) for non-surgical or minimal discomfort visits
Learn more about our Sedation Dentistry options, including in-office IV sedation with a board-certified anesthesiologist.
Our team is highly experienced in treating nervous teens, sensory-sensitive patients, and those undergoing their first major dental procedure. We’re proud to offer hospital-grade safety with the convenience of a private practice.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery
Once we’ve confirmed that removal is needed, we’ll walk you and your teen through every step of the process:
Pre-Op Visit:
- Medical history review
- Imaging
- Sedation discussion and consent
- Clear prep and post-op instructions
Day of Surgery:
- One-on-one care with Dr. Cho and our surgical team
- Monitored IV sedation or chosen method
- Same-day discharge with detailed aftercare
Post-Op Recovery:
- Follow-up call from our office
- Swelling and downtime typically last 2–3 days
- Soft food diet and rest recommended
Do All Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
No — but most do. Some patients have fewer than four wisdom teeth, and in rare cases, the teeth are well-aligned and erupt normally. However, in about 85% of cases, at least one third molar is impacted, crowding, or poses a risk to nearby teeth.
We make decisions based on clinical imaging, timing, and your teen’s development — never just routine.
Serving Teens & Families Throughout Northeast Atlanta
We treat wisdom teeth for PPO-insured families across Brookhaven, Chamblee, Tucker, Decatur, and surrounding neighborhoods. Many of our patients are already receiving Orthodontic care in our office, which allows us to time extractions strategically and safely — with no third-party referrals.
Planning early prevents last-minute emergencies before college, finals, or travel.
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