Impacted Wisdom Teeth in San Francisco
Wisdom teeth don’t always have room to come in properly. At Financial District Dentistry, we help patients throughout San Francisco, CA evaluate and treat impacted wisdom teeth before they cause bigger problems.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop, typically appearing in the late teens or early twenties. When there isn’t enough room in the jaw for them to fully emerge or align properly, they become impacted — trapped partially or fully beneath the gum or bone.
Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Common signs include pain or swelling near the back of the jaw, difficulty opening your mouth fully, swollen or tender gums, and sometimes headaches or jaw stiffness. Some impacted wisdom teeth cause no symptoms at all until an X-ray reveals them.
Why Impacted Wisdom Teeth Matter
Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection, damage to nearby teeth, cyst formation, or crowding that affects your other teeth. Regular X-rays help us monitor wisdom teeth as they develop.
Do All Impacted Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Not necessarily — some impacted wisdom teeth can be monitored if they aren’t causing problems, while others are recommended for removal to prevent future issues. Your dentist will evaluate your specific case with imaging to make a personalized recommendation.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
When removal is recommended, our team provides wisdom teeth extraction with attention to your comfort throughout the process, along with clear aftercare instructions to support smooth healing.
What to Expect After Extraction
Some swelling and soreness are normal for the first few days. Following aftercare instructions closely — including avoiding straws, smoking, and vigorous rinsing — helps support proper healing and reduces the risk of complications like dry socket.
Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Evaluation
Wondering if your wisdom teeth need attention? Our team at Financial District Dentistry is here to help. Contact us or request an appointment today.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth FAQs
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars that don’t have enough room to fully emerge or align properly, becoming trapped beneath the gum or bone.
Do impacted wisdom teeth always cause symptoms?
Not always — some cause no symptoms and are only discovered through routine X-rays.
Do all impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Not necessarily — some can be monitored, while others are recommended for removal based on your individual evaluation.
What happens if impacted wisdom teeth are left untreated?
They can lead to infection, damage to nearby teeth, cysts, or crowding of other teeth over time.
Is wisdom teeth removal painful?
The procedure is performed with anesthesia for comfort, with some soreness and swelling expected during recovery.
How long is recovery after wisdom teeth extraction?
Many patients feel significantly better within a few days, though full healing can take a bit longer.
Get Your Wisdom Teeth Checked
Contact us at (415) 399-9999 to schedule your evaluation.