Do all wisdom teeth eventually need to be extracted?

No. Wisdom teeth only need to be removed when they are causing, or are likely to cause, a problem such as pain, infection, decay, or damage to the tooth next to them. A fully erupted, well-positioned tooth that is easy to clean can often stay in place for life.

Can a wisdom tooth cause problems even if it is not painful?

Yes. An impacted or partially erupted wisdom tooth can quietly affect the neighbouring tooth or trap bacteria without causing noticeable pain at first, which is why X-rays are part of the assessment rather than relying on symptoms alone.

What does it mean if my wisdom tooth is "impacted"?

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that is trapped beneath the gum or jawbone, usually because there is not enough room for it to emerge properly. This is more common in the lower jaw, where space between the second molar and the back of the jaw is often limited.

Can an impacted wisdom tooth damage the tooth next to it?

It can because pressure from an impacted wisdom tooth can make the neighbouring tooth harder to clean and more prone to decay.

What will happen at my appointment if I am concerned about my wisdom teeth?

Your dentist will examine the tooth, surrounding gums, and nearby teeth, and will usually take a panoramic X-ray ( OPG ) to check the tooth's position, angle, root development, and how close it sits to the nerve canal in the jaw. This gives a much clearer picture than symptoms alone.

Is removing wisdom teeth early, before they cause problems, ever recommended?

Sometimes. Younger patients tend to heal faster and often have less-developed roots, which can make removal more straightforward, but this does not mean early removal is automatically necessary. It is one factor among several your dentist will weigh up.

Is wisdom tooth removal painful?

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so sharp pain is not expected, though you may feel some pressure or movement. Dental sedation is also available for patients who feel anxious or are having a more involved procedure.

When should I seek urgent care instead of waiting for a routine check-up?

If you experience sudden or severe pain, swelling in the jaw or cheek, or difficulty opening your mouth, this is worth prompt attention rather than waiting.

How often should a wisdom tooth that is not causing problems be reviewed?

Most dentists reassess wisdom teeth at each routine check-up, roughly every six months , to catch any change in position or early signs of decay before they become a bigger issue.

What payment options are available at My Dentist Geelong (Highton)?

My Dentist Geelong (Highton) offers a variety of payment options , including DentiCare payment plans, private health insurance rebates through HICAPS, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), and Department of Veterans’ Affairs dental benefits. Availability may depend on your treatment type and eligibility, so please check with the clinic when booking your appointment.

Can I get a same-day appointment for wisdom tooth pain?

Yes, we provide same-day appointments for urgent wisdom tooth concerns, subject to availability. If you require urgent emergency dental care , our team will assess your condition and provide care to help relieve pain and stabilise your oral health.

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed? - My Dentist Geelong (Highton)

Q: How effective is sedation for wisdom tooth removal?

Well-established. A review of sedation outcomes for wisdom tooth removal found that more than 70% of patients rated their experience as good, making it a genuine comfort option rather than something reserved for extreme cases.

The answer is no. It is not necessary to extract wisdom teeth simply because they have surfaced.

Some wisdom teeth need to be removed for good reason, while others can remain in place for life without causing any problems. The decision usually depends on their position, how easily they can be cleaned, and whether they are causing pain, infection or damage to nearby teeth.

This article explains how dentists assess wisdom teeth and decide whether removal may be necessary, so you know what to expect at your next dental check-up.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Removal

What Are Wisdom Teeth and When Do They Come Through?

A wisdom tooth is impacted when there is not enough space.

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last adult teeth to develop. They usually emerge at the back of the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25, after the rest of the adult teeth are already in place.

Most people develop four wisdom teeth, with one in each corner of the mouth. However, it is also common to have fewer, and some people do not develop any at all.

By the time wisdom teeth begin to come through, there may not be enough room left in the jaw. This can cause them to emerge at an angle, only partially break through the gum, or remain trapped beneath the gum or jawbone.

Lower wisdom teeth are particularly likely to become impacted when there is not enough space between the second molar and the back of the jaw.

This is why wisdom teeth often require closer monitoring than other teeth. They are not naturally more troublesome, but their late arrival means they are more likely to run out of space.

Why Some Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems

Wisdom teeth can cause inflammation, making it uncomfortable and painful.

Not every wisdom tooth causes trouble. When problems do develop, they are usually related to the tooth’s position rather than the tooth itself.

A wisdom tooth that is impacted or only partially emerges can create a small flap or pocket in the gum. Food and bacteria may become trapped in this area, increasing the risk of inflammation or infection.

Wisdom teeth are also difficult to reach with a toothbrush because they sit at the very back of the mouth. This can make it harder to remove plaque and trapped food effectively.

Over time, these conditions may lead to gum infection around the wisdom tooth or decay in the wisdom tooth itself. The neighbouring second molar may also be affected. One radiographic study found that 18.13% of patients with an impacted wisdom tooth had developed decay in the adjacent second molar.

An impacted wisdom tooth may also press against the tooth beside it, making the area harder to clean and potentially damaging the neighbouring tooth. This is more likely when there is not enough space for the wisdom tooth to emerge properly.

If you experience sudden or severe pain, swelling in your jaw or cheek, or difficulty opening your mouth, seek prompt dental care rather than waiting for your next routine check-up.

More Information on Our Emergency Dental Care Services

When Do Wisdom Teeth Not Require Removal?

Regular dental check-ups are important to assess the condition of your wisdom teeth.

Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed. If it has fully emerged, sits in a healthy position and can be brushed and flossed properly, there may be no reason to take it out.

Removal may also be unnecessary when the tooth is not causing pain, swelling, infection or decay. The neighbouring teeth should also be healthy, with no signs of damage or other complications.

In these cases, regular dental check-ups may be all that is needed. Your dentist can monitor the tooth and look for any changes over time.

Many people keep one or more wisdom teeth throughout their lives without needing treatment. What matters is not simply whether the tooth is present, but whether it is causing a problem or is likely to do so in the future.

This decision is made on an individual basis. Your dentist will assess the position of the tooth, examine the surrounding gums and teeth, and may use an X-ray to determine whether monitoring or removal is the better option.

How Does a Dentist Decide Whether Removal Is Needed?

The decision to remove a wisdom tooth is based on a careful assessment rather than symptoms alone. Your dentist will usually begin by examining the tooth, surrounding gums and nearby teeth.

A panoramic X-ray, also known as an OPG, may be used to assess whether:

The tooth is trapped beneath the gum or jawbone (impaction)
The direction and angle it is growing in (angulation)
How fully its roots have developed

The X-ray also shows:

The number and shape of the roots
Any signs of disease or damage around the tooth (pathology),
How the wisdom tooth is positioned in relation to the neighbouring second molar

For lower wisdom teeth, one of the most important factors is how close the roots are to the nerve canal in the jaw. If the tooth appears particularly close to the nerve, further imaging may sometimes be recommended before treatment is planned.

Your dentist will also ask about any pain, swelling or recurring infections you have experienced. Your age, general oral health and the condition of the neighbouring tooth may also be considered.

Younger patients may heal more quickly, and wisdom teeth with less-developed roots can sometimes be easier to remove. However, this does not mean early removal is automatically necessary.

Ultimately, the recommendation will depend on the tooth’s position, the problems it is causing and the potential risks of either removing or monitoring it. Your dentist will discuss the findings with you before recommending the most suitable approach.

If Removal is Recommended, What Happens Next?

If your dentist recommends removing a wisdom tooth, they will explain the procedure, what type of anaesthetic may be used and what to expect during recovery.

Wisdom tooth removal is commonly performed under local anaesthetic, which numbs the treatment area. You may feel some pressure or movement during the procedure, but you should not feel sharp pain.

Sedation may also be available for patients who feel particularly anxious or are having a more complex procedure. It is used alongside local anaesthetic to help you feel calmer and more comfortable during treatment.

One review of sedation outcomes for wisdom tooth removal found that more than 70% of patients rated their experience as good. This suggests that sedation can be a helpful and well-established option for suitable patients.

After the procedure, some swelling, tenderness and discomfort are common during the first few days. Your dentist will provide aftercare instructions to support healing and explain when to contact the clinic if you have any concerns.

Get Your Wisdom Teeth Assessed at My Dentist Geelong (Highton)

My Dentist Geelong (Highton) offers dental sedation to help patients feel calmer and comfortable during the procedure.

If you are experiencing discomfort at the back of your mouth or are concerned about your wisdom teeth, our team at My Dentist Geelong (Highton) can assess your teeth’s position and condition.

We will explain whether your wisdom teeth can be monitored or whether removal may be recommended, helping you understand your options before deciding on the next step.

For patients who feel anxious about treatment, dental sedation is available in-house with visiting sedation dentist Dr Barry Creighton. Sedation is used alongside local anaesthetic to help suitable patients feel calmer and more comfortable during the procedure.

The clinic is conveniently located within Barrabool Hills Plaza in Highton, Geelong, with ample free parking available. We also offer flexible payment options, including DentiCare and government dental benefits to support your care.

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed?