Vaksman Dental Group provides wisdom teeth removal service in South San Francisco for patients experiencing pain, swelling, jaw discomfort, gum irritation, infection, or problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last molars to develop. For some patients, they come in normally and do not cause problems. For others, wisdom teeth may become impacted, partially erupted, difficult to clean, or positioned in a way that affects nearby teeth and gums.
Our dental team evaluates your symptoms, oral health, tooth position, and X-rays to determine whether wisdom teeth removal may be recommended. If removal is appropriate, we explain your options clearly, answer your questions, and help you feel informed before treatment.
Schedule a wisdom teeth removal service consultation
If you have pain in the back of your mouth, swollen gums, jaw discomfort, or suspect your wisdom teeth are causing problems, schedule an evaluation with Vaksman Dental Group.
Wisdom teeth removal is a dental procedure used to remove one or more third molars when they are painful, impacted, infected, difficult to clean, or causing problems for nearby teeth and gums.
The procedure may be recommended when wisdom teeth are partially erupted, trapped under the gums, growing at an angle, damaging nearby teeth, or creating recurring inflammation around the back of the mouth.
At Vaksman Dental Group, wisdom teeth removal begins with a dental exam and X-rays so we can understand the position of your wisdom teeth and recommend the safest next step.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the very back of the mouth. Most people develop four wisdom teeth, two on the top and two on the bottom, although some people have fewer or none at all.
These teeth often appear in the late teen years or early adulthood. In some cases, there is enough space for them to come in properly. In other cases, there may not be enough room, which can cause the teeth to become impacted or only partially erupt through the gums.
When wisdom teeth do not come in correctly, they may create pain, swelling, infection, cavities, gum problems, or pressure on nearby teeth.
Common signs you may need wisdom teeth removal
You may need a wisdom teeth evaluation if you notice:
Pain in the back of the mouth
Swollen, red, or tender gums
Jaw pain or stiffness
Difficulty opening your mouth comfortably
Bad breath or an unpleasant taste
Food getting trapped behind the back molars
Gum irritation around a partially erupted tooth
Pressure near the back teeth
Repeated infections around the gums
Tooth decay near the wisdom tooth
Pain that comes and goes around the jaw
Swelling around the jaw or cheek
Some wisdom teeth cause symptoms right away. Others may create problems slowly over time. A dental exam and X-rays can help determine whether wisdom teeth removal is needed.
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that do not fully come through the gums or do not have enough room to grow in normally. They may be trapped under the gum tissue, partially visible, or angled toward nearby teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth may grow:
Straight but trapped under the gums
At an angle toward the second molar
At an angle toward the back of the mouth
Horizontally inside the jaw
Partially through the gums
When a wisdom tooth is impacted or partially erupted, it can be harder to clean. This may allow bacteria and food particles to collect around the area, increasing the risk of gum irritation, infection, cavities, and discomfort.
Wisdom teeth removal options at Vaksman Dental Group
Every wisdom tooth case is different. Some wisdom teeth can be monitored during routine dental visits, while others may need to be removed if they are painful, impacted, infected, difficult to clean, or affecting nearby teeth.
Wisdom tooth concern
Possible cause
How Vaksman Dental Group may help
Pain in the back of the mouth
Impacted, partially erupted, or inflamed wisdom tooth
We examine the area and use X-rays to evaluate tooth position
Swollen or tender gums
Gum irritation, trapped bacteria, or infection around the wisdom tooth
We assess the gum tissue and determine whether removal may be recommended
Jaw pain or stiffness
Pressure from an impacted tooth or inflammation near the back molars
We review your symptoms and tooth position to recommend the next step
Bad breath or unpleasant taste
Food and bacteria trapped around a partially erupted wisdom tooth
We evaluate whether the area can be cleaned properly or should be treated
Cavities near wisdom teeth
Hard-to-clean back molars or trapped plaque
We check for decay and discuss whether extraction may help protect nearby teeth
Repeated gum infections
Partially erupted wisdom tooth or gum inflammation
We determine whether wisdom teeth removal may reduce recurring flare-ups
Pressure on nearby teeth
Wisdom tooth growing at an angle
We evaluate whether the wisdom tooth is affecting the second molar or surrounding structures
No current symptoms
Wisdom teeth may be healthy, fully erupted, or not currently causing problems
We may recommend monitoring them during regular dental exams if removal is not needed
How we evaluate wisdom teeth
Your wisdom teeth consultation begins with a conversation about your symptoms and a dental exam. We will ask when your pain started, whether symptoms come and go, and whether you have noticed swelling, pressure, or difficulty chewing.
Your evaluation may include:
Review of your symptoms and dental history
Examination of the back teeth and gums
X-rays to evaluate wisdom tooth position
Assessment of gum inflammation or infection
Review of nearby teeth for cavities or damage
Discussion of whether removal is recommended
Explanation of treatment options and next steps
The goal is to determine whether your wisdom teeth should be removed, monitored, or referred for specialized surgical care if the case is more complex.
When is wisdom teeth removal recommended?
Wisdom teeth removal may be recommended when a wisdom tooth is causing symptoms or has a high risk of creating oral health problems.
Common reasons for removal include:
Pain or swelling
Impacted wisdom teeth
Partially erupted wisdom teeth
Repeated gum infections
Tooth decay
Gum disease around the back molars
Damage to nearby teeth
Cyst formation around an impacted tooth
Difficulty cleaning the area
Pressure or crowding concerns
Jaw discomfort linked to wisdom teeth
Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, easy to clean, and not affecting nearby teeth, your dentist may recommend monitoring them during routine visits, includingdental cleanings and exams.
FAQs about wisdom teeth removal
Wisdom teeth removal is a dental procedure used to remove one or more third molars when they are impacted, painful, infected, difficult to clean, or causing problems for nearby teeth and gums.
You may need wisdom teeth removal if you have pain in the back of your mouth, swollen gums, jaw stiffness, bad breath, food trapping, infection, or X-rays showing impacted wisdom teeth. A dental evaluation is the best way to know whether removal is recommended.
No. Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, easy to clean, and not affecting nearby teeth, your dentist may recommend monitoring them during routine visits.
Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars that do not fully come through the gums or do not have enough space to grow in properly. They may remain trapped under the gums, come in at an angle, or press against nearby teeth.
Common symptoms may include pain in the back of the mouth, swollen gums, jaw discomfort, bad breath, an unpleasant taste, difficulty opening the mouth, and recurring gum irritation around the wisdom tooth.
The treatment area is numbed before wisdom teeth removal to help reduce discomfort during the procedure. Some soreness, swelling, tenderness, or mild bleeding can be normal afterward. Our team will provide aftercare instructions to support healing.
Recovery time depends on the complexity of the extraction and your individual healing process. Many patients begin feeling better within a few days, but complete healing can take longer. Your dentist will give you specific instructions based on your case.
You may be advised to avoid straws, smoking, vaping, hard foods, crunchy foods, vigorous rinsing, and strenuous activity for a short time after wisdom teeth removal. Follow your dentist’s instructions carefully.
Soft foods are usually recommended while the extraction area begins to heal. Options may include yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup that is not too hot, oatmeal, soft pasta, cottage cheese, protein shakes, and smoothies without a straw.
Yes. Wisdom teeth can contribute to jaw pain or pressure, especially if they are impacted, partially erupted, infected, or creating inflammation around the back of the mouth.
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