Most people first hear about their wisdom teeth around age 17 or 18, usually at a routine checkup when a dentist points to an X-ray and says the third molars are on their way in. For some patients they arrive without incident. For many others, they come in sideways, emerge only partway, or push against the molars in front of them. If you have been told your wisdom teeth need to come out, or you are dealing with a dull ache at the back of your jaw right now, this guide covers what actually happens and what recovery really looks like.
At Agoura Dental Group, located at 5809 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills, wisdom tooth removal is performed in-house, with sedation available for patients who want it. That means no referral to an outside surgeon, no waiting weeks for an appointment somewhere else, and no repeating your medical history at a second office.
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the last four teeth to come in at the very back of the mouth. They typically erupt between ages 17 and 25, long after the rest of your adult teeth have settled into place. That timing is the root of the problem. By the time wisdom teeth arrive, there is often no room left for them.
When a wisdom tooth cannot fully emerge, it is called impacted, meaning it stays trapped in the jaw or under the gum tissue. According to the American Dental Association's patient guidance on wisdom teeth, impacted third molars can trap food and bacteria, make flossing difficult, invite infection when they erupt only partway, crowd the teeth next to them, and in some cases form cysts that damage roots and supporting bone.
Not everyone does. If your wisdom teeth come in straight, erupt fully, and you can clean them properly, your dentist may simply monitor them at regular checkups. Removal is recommended when there is evidence of a problem, or a clear risk of one developing. The most common reasons include:
The only way to know is a clinical exam with imaging. Our Agoura Hills office uses digital and full-mouth X-rays to see the position, angle, and root development of each third molar before making any recommendation. If your wisdom teeth are healthy and well positioned, we will tell you that and leave them alone.
Yes. Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common procedures in dentistry and is routine for a trained provider working in a properly equipped office. Before any extraction, the team at Agoura Dental Group reviews your full medical history, your current medications, and any past reactions to anesthesia. Imaging shows us exactly where the tooth roots sit in relation to the nerve and the sinus, which is the single most important factor in planning a safe extraction.
Risk rises when extractions are planned without adequate imaging, or performed on teeth that have been left to deteriorate for years. That is one reason we generally recommend addressing problem wisdom teeth sooner rather than later. Younger patients tend to have less developed roots and stronger healing capacity, which makes both the procedure and the recovery more straightforward.
Most patients are surprised by how manageable the procedure feels. Local anesthesia fully numbs the area, so you will feel pressure and movement but should not feel pain. For patients who want more than that, our Agoura Hills office offers nitrous oxide for mild nerves, oral sedation for a deeper level of calm without needles, and IV sedation for patients with significant dental anxiety or a full four-tooth extraction planned in one sitting.
Patients who choose oral or IV sedation usually describe the appointment as feeling like a short nap. If you go that route, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you afterward.
Here is how the process unfolds at our Agoura Hills office, start to finish:
A single extraction usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. Removing all four wisdom teeth typically takes about an hour.
Some swelling and mild discomfort are normal, and knowing the usual arc makes the first few days far less stressful.
Plan for a few days of rest. Teens often schedule the procedure for a Friday or over a school break, and working adults frequently take a long weekend.
Dry socket is the most common complication after a wisdom tooth extraction. It happens when the protective blood clot in the socket is dislodged too early, exposing bone and nerve underneath. It is uncomfortable, and it is largely preventable. To lower your risk:
If you develop worsening pain three or four days after the extraction rather than steady improvement, call us. Dry socket is easily treated in the office, and there is no reason to wait it out.
What sets our practice apart is that every specialty lives under one roof. Dr. Choroomi works alongside an in-house periodontist, endodontist, orthodontist, pediatric dentist, and implant specialist, so wisdom tooth removal can be coordinated with sedation, an oral surgery consultation, or ongoing orthodontic treatment without sending you across town. Patients come to us from Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, Oak Park, and Thousand Oaks for exactly that reason.
We accept most major PPO plans and Medi-Cal, and we offer in-house financing for patients who need to spread out the cost. You can review accepted plans on our insurance page or read about payment options on our financing page. New patients currently receive a $50 gift card that can be applied toward any treatment.
If your wisdom teeth are causing pain, or a dentist has told you they need to come out, the sooner you have them evaluated the simpler the treatment tends to be. And if you are in pain right now, do not wait for a routine opening. Our urgent dental care team can see you quickly.
Call (818) 706-2727 or book your appointment online. Our office at 5809 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills is open Monday through Friday 9 to 6 and Saturday 10 to 3, with Sunday appointments by request.
