Wisdom Tooth Discomfort?
Find Relief & Preserve Your Smile
Wisdom teeth usually begin to cause problems between the ages of 16 and 25. For many patients, these teeth don’t have enough room to erupt properly and can lead to pain, infection, or damage to surrounding teeth and bone. Early evaluation and removal of wisdom teeth can prevent these issues, but if they have already begun we can still help. At NorthShore Center for Oral & Facial Surgery , our board-certified oral surgeons provide expert wisdom teeth removal for patients throughout Lake and Cook Counties and beyond.
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Preventive Treatment
Wisdom teeth, if not removed, can cause teeth to shift due to crowding and even lead to bacteria and decay in adjacent teeth.
Personalized Surgery Plan
Evaluating your age, tooth position, and overall health, we build a plan for your wisdom tooth removal.
Skilled Oral Surgeons
Our team has decades of experience performing wisdom teeth removal for patients across Lake and Cook County.
Postcare Plan
Every patient is provided detailed guidance on post-surgery care - including pain management, diet, and oral hygiene, creating the best outcome possible.
What happens if I don’t remove my wisdom teeth?
If you have insufficient space for your wisdom teeth to erupt, waiting to remove them can lead to:
- Shifting and damage to other teeth
- When there isn’t enough space for wisdom teeth to erupt, they may crowd neighboring teeth, leading to misalignment across the dental arch. This pressure can also damage the adjacent teeth.
- Painful recurrent infections
- Bacteria accumulate in the deep tissue pockets around wisdom teeth and cause inflammation, sometimes even leading to large facial infections. You may hear this called “pericoronitis”, which means “inflammation around the crown”.
- Long term damage to the adjacent teeth
- Impacted wisdom teeth can cause decay on the back of the second molar. Additionally, as the wisdom tooth erupts, it takes away the bone on the back of the 2nd molar. This bone loss can often be reversed if the wisdom tooth is removed early, however it can be permanent if it is not addressed.
- Tooth-related cysts and tumors
- Wisdom teeth are the most common tooth in the mouth to develop dental cysts and tumors. While these can be treated at any age, when identified early they can be treated much more conservatively.
Allanah R
The whole staff was friendly and helpful and I would recommend anyone to come here to get their wisdom teeth extracted to have a smooth quick recovery. I was super scared beforehand but luckily everything went great and I’m glad I got them taken out before they caused any damage to neighboring teeth.
Elvis A.
Tim P
Wisdom Tooth Removal: What to Expect & Recovery
Using advanced imaging, we precisely map the location of your wisdom teeth in relationship to nearby teeth and nerves and choose the least invasive surgical approach possible. You’ll receive your treatment plan at your consultation and discuss your options for anesthesia. Our team continuously monitors your comfort and safety throughout the procedure!
Recovery after wisdom teeth removal is usually straightforward:
First 24 hours
Expect mild swelling and some bleeding. Ice packs and rest are recommended.3–5 days
Most discomfort subsides, and patients can return to school or work.1–2 weeks
Soft tissue typically heals, and swelling resolves.Meet Your Doctors
Precision, Innovation, and Compassion in Every Procedure
Dr. Watler Tatch
Dr. Walter Tatch is a board-certified oral and facial surgeon with over 20 years of private practice experience. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and both the American and International Associations of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Dr. Watler Tatch
Known to patients as “Dr. Yost,” Dr. Smith combines a friendly, approachable manner with advanced surgical expertise and a passion for achieving long-term, natural results. He is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is highly regarded for his skill in both routine and complex procedures.
Dr. Taras Martyniouk
Dr. Martyniouk is a highly skilled, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon deeply rooted in the Northshore community. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, he delivers compassionate, patient-centered care that prioritizes comfort and trust. Dr. Martyniouk is dedicated to advancing his surgical expertise through continuous learning, ensuring his patients receive the most innovative, evidence-based treatments available.
Your Comfort and Care
Local anesthesia
Local anesthesia numbs only the area being treated, so you remain fully awake and aware throughout the procedure. Most patients experience only mild pressure without pain.Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, this inhaled gas relieves anxiety and helps you feel more relaxed. You remain awake and responsive, and the effects wear off quickly once discontinued.Sedation
IV sedation, also known as deep sedation, is the best option for patients who want to be deeply relaxed and comfortable. This is the preferred method of sedation for wisdom teeth removal.Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal time for wisdom tooth removal is usually in the teen years, before the roots are fully formed and when healing is faster. For some patients, this window extends into the early 20s, however, a screening consultation in the early teen years is always recommended so we can provide appropriate individual guidance. If wisdom teeth are not removed early in life and are causing problems, removal can be performed at any age if needed. See our blog post on “When is the ideal time to remove wisdom teeth?”
Pain, swelling, gum infection, bad breath, or shifting of nearby teeth are common warning signs. Sometimes wisdom teeth cause problems even without symptoms, which is why a screening consultation in the early teen years with X-rays is important.
With IV sedation, you won’t feel pain – in fact, most patients just snore through the whole procedure! After surgery, you will manage discomfort with prescribed medications and consistent use of ice packs. See our blog post on Optimizing Non-Narcotic Pain Control.
Every patient has a different inflammatory response to surgery. The majority of patients feel significantly better in 3–5 days, although for some patients, complete healing may take up to two weeks.
Great question! This is an evolving area, and we are committed to utilizing evidence-based care to give you optimized treatment. Our surgeons will review your case and prescribe the lowest reasonable antibiotic coverage to avoid disruption of your natural gut flora. See our blog posts on Antibiotic Therapy Duration and Oral Probiotics and Oral Health for more information!
Soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs are best. Avoid straws, hot or spicy foods, and crunchy snacks for the first few days. See our blog post on Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Removal for more information!
Not always. Some patients need only one or two extracted, while others require all four. Our surgeons will recommend the best approach after reviewing your imaging.
No, not every patient will require removal of their wisdom teeth. However, it is uncommon for patients to have both the space and the appropriate eruption path for wisdom teeth to come into a functional and cleanable position. Additionally, even for patients who do have enough space, wisdom teeth are often challenging to keep clean long term, and removal later in life comes with additional risks and difficulty healing – see our blog post on Complications of Delayed Wisdom Tooth Removal. Our surgeons will be happy to discuss your options with you at your consultation!
A dry socket happens if the blood clot at the extraction site becomes dislodged, exposing bone. Avoid smoking, straws, and vigorous rinsing to reduce your risk.
Cost varies depending on the number of teeth removed, the complexity of surgery, and the anesthesia used. A consultation provides the most accurate estimate, and financing options are available.