Wisdom Teeth

By the age of 18, the average adult has 32 teeth; 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine, and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces. The back teeth (molar teeth) are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.


The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your third molars, also known as “wisdom teeth.”

Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to successfully erupt.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Oral Examination

With an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, Drs. Fitzgerald, Twersky, and Alkhatib can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there are present or may be future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a superior outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years by their dentist, orthodontist or by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

All outpatient surgery is performed under appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. Drs. Fitzgerald, Twersky, and Alkhatib has the training, license and experience to provide various types of anesthesia for patients to select the best alternative.

Removal of Wisdom Teeth

In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or general anesthesia. These options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with you before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum is sutured. To help control bleeding, bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth. You will rest under our supervision in the office until you are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge, your postoperative kit will include postoperative instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at (203) 371-5595 .

Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety that utilizes modern monitoring equipment and staff who are experienced in anesthesia techniques.

Oral Surgery Associates, LLC

5 out of 5 stars based on 505 Wisdom Teeth reviews.

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

They were wonderful and supportive, I had an emergency infected wisdom tooth and they were great. The staff was exceptional. I was so nervous , between the dentist and his whole staff the experience could not gone more smoothly. Thank you!!

- Mary W

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Great experience. I’m 54 and have had virtually no pain. I took advil the day of surgery and the am after. That’s it.

- Anonymous

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Very friendly and professional during appointment scheduling and procedure.

- Bill S

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I was happy with how comfortable my daughter and I felt with going forward with having her wisdom teeth taken out ESPECIALLY in light of being in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. All precautions for her health and safety were taken. And the staff and Dr. Twersky were wonderful and calming.

- Nadine T

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Also receptionist was great .

- Steven T

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Wonderful practice

- Charlotte S

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr Alkhatib is experienced , knowledgeable and was excellent with my child. Surgical support staff was comforting and very helpful. Office staff is efficient, friendly and office is spotless!

- Sally Y

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I had a great experience and already recommended to a friend.

- Camila C

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I highly recommend Oral Surgery Associates. I felt comfortable and at ease and I also felt confident that I would get the appropriate care and services that I needed.

- Eluisa B

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Smooth from start to finish.

- Darlene D

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

First surgery i ever went through and it wasnt bad at all. Before-After.

- Tyrell c

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr. Horne and the nurse the helped me was awesome. I was so nervous and they made me feel so much better

- Destiny M

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

great visit

- sal b

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Procedure went smoothly and staff was professional and attentive with excellent follow up.

- Barbara R

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

The doctors are informative, friendly and professional. I endured dry socket and the office was very accommodating about getting me in and out for packing on multiple days until I felt better.

- Pamela P

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

I had 2 wisdom teeth extracted due to an infection. I was in and out of the procedure room in less than 20 minutes! Dr. Twersky was amazing - great bedside manner. And for someone who hates going to the dentist, this is saying a lot.

- Regina K

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Office is clean and bright. The staff is nice just wish I would of been advised that all charges had to be paid up front. I understood a payment had to be made day of surgery but did not realize they expected it to be paid in full on that day. There was an option for some type of credit card but I was only informed of it the day of surgery. Other than that the overall experience was good. My son was taken care of well and they did follow up to make sure all was going well with him.

- Diana D

4 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Excellent

- Joshua P

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Very happy with nurse, Dr. Twersky. Front desk staff interactions varied a bit. Mostly nice, but didn’t always provide complete information. Some staff members very helpful and took time to explain things, others didn’t seem to understand how the billing worked.

- Lauren T

4 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Very caring for my first time wisdom tooth removal

- Charles D

5 out of 5 stars on