Wisdom Teeth Removal by the Numbers

17 to 25: The age range when most people have their wisdom teeth removed.

Dentist and oral surgeons like to wait until two-thirds of the root is formed before extraction. When your jaw is in this last stage before development stops, wisdom teeth are easy to remove.

85% Percentage of people who will have their wisdom teeth removed.

If an X-ray has revealed that you have wisdom teeth, getting the teeth taken out may be in your future. Because there is not always room in the jaw for wisdom teeth, they can cause other teeth to become crowded. Additionally, wisdom teeth can become impacted, which can cause pain and infection.

10 Million: Number of wisdom teeth removed in the US annually.

Almost all oral surgeons and dentist support removing wisdom teeth to avoid complications. You may experience some of the following symptoms if you have trouble with your wisdom teeth:

• A painful feeling in the back of the jaw near an impacted tooth
• Crowding of your other teeth
• Swelling of the gums near the site of the wisdom tooth
• Decaying of nearby teeth

1 / 2: The fraction of upper wisdom teeth that become extracted.

A wisdom tooth is “impacted” when it cannot grow comfortably into your mouth because other teeth are blocking it. And anyone who has an impacted wisdom teeth can tell you, they can be quite painful.

For some, impacted wisdom teeth cause damage to surrounding teeth or cause other dental problems. Impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed because of the issues that they cause. Dentists and oral surgeons do recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible to prevent any future dental problems.

2.27 Days: Average time of recovery after wisdom teeth extraction.  

If you need wisdom teeth removal, you have probably heard that the procedure will leave you with swelling and discomfort. You can reduce post-extraction pain if you follow a few simple tips:

• Use ice for up to 20 minutes at a time
• Rinse your mouth every 2 to 3 hours with warm salt water
• Take over-the-counter pain relief medication like naproxen

40 Minutes: The typical length of wisdom tooth removal surgery.  

Wisdom teeth removal is done in a Salt Lake City dentist’s or oral surgeons’ office.

Below are a few things to expect when you find yourself in the dentist’s chair.

• You’ll receive anesthesia, either general or local.
• The dentist will remove one tooth at a time, sometimes dividing one or more of the teeth into sections.
• Stitches may be required to close the wound or to promote healing to the area.

After the procedure, remember to rest, eat soft foods, and drink plenty of water.

Salt Lake City Wisdom Teeth Removal Study

JBR Clinical Research is conducting a clinical trial for wisdom teeth removal. Qualified participants may receive no-cost wisdom tooth extraction in Salt Lake City and may be compensated for time and travel. Learn more about this Salt Lake City wisdom teeth removal study.