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| 47766 Van Dyke Ave, Shelby Township, MI 48317
Removing wisdom teeth, improving your oral health
Wisdom teeth — the third molars at the back of your mouth — typically emerge in your late teens or early twenties. For many patients, there simply is not enough room for them to erupt fully, leading to impaction, infection, crowding, and damage to neighboring teeth. At Roam Dental in Shelby Township, Dr. Barbu performs thorough evaluations to determine whether your wisdom teeth need to be removed, using advanced 3D imaging to plan extractions with precision and confidence.
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Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to develop, and they often lack the space to emerge properly. When a wisdom tooth becomes trapped beneath the gumline or grows at an angle, it is considered impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant pain, infection, and damage to the adjacent second molars if not addressed promptly.
Even when wisdom teeth partially erupt, the opening in the gum around them creates a pocket where bacteria can accumulate, increasing the risk of gum infection (pericoronitis), tooth decay, and cyst formation. Not every wisdom tooth requires extraction — Dr. Barbu evaluates each case individually using 3D x-ray imaging to assess tooth position, root development, and proximity to nerves before making a recommendation.
Early evaluation in your late teens or early twenties is ideal, as younger patients tend to experience less complicated extractions and faster recovery times. If you are experiencing jaw pain or discomfort in the back of your mouth, a wisdom tooth evaluation is a smart next step.
Wisdom tooth removal at Roam Dental is a comfortable, well-managed procedure. Before we begin, you will receive local anesthesia to numb the area completely. For patients with anxiety or for more complex surgical extractions, sedation options are available to keep you relaxed and at ease throughout.
Simple extractions involve loosening the tooth with specialized instruments and removing it intact. Surgical extractions — required for fully impacted teeth — involve a small incision in the gum tissue and sometimes sectioning the tooth for easier removal. Stitches are placed as needed and dissolve on their own over time. Gauze is used to control bleeding, and Dr. Barbu will review all post-operative instructions before you leave the office.
The procedure itself typically takes 45–90 minutes depending on how many teeth are being removed and the complexity of each extraction. You will be able to return home the same day with a trusted driver and clear aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Most patients recover from wisdom tooth removal within 3–7 days. For the first 24 hours, rest is recommended and strenuous activity should be avoided. Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours and then begins to subside. Applying an ice pack in 20-minute intervals during the first day helps reduce swelling significantly. Over-the-counter pain medication, along with any prescriptions provided, will keep discomfort manageable.
Soft foods are essential during the first 3–5 days — think yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and soup. Avoid using straws, smoking, or spitting forcefully, as these actions create suction that can dislodge the healing blood clot and lead to dry socket. Keeping the extraction sites clean with gentle salt water rinses after 24 hours is also important for preventing infection.
Most patients return to normal daily activities within a week and resume a full diet within 2 weeks. We schedule a follow-up appointment to check healing progress. If you have any concerns during recovery, our team is available to help. Book your wisdom teeth evaluation today.
Removing problematic wisdom teeth protects your long-term oral health. Here are the key benefits our Shelby Township patients experience:
Removing impacted wisdom teeth eliminates the pressure they place on neighboring teeth, preventing crowding and alignment problems that can affect your bite.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause persistent jaw pain, headaches, and pressure. Extraction provides immediate relief and prevents the pain from returning.
Partially erupted wisdom teeth create openings where bacteria thrive. Removal eliminates the site of recurring infections and reduces the risk of abscess formation.
For anxious patients or complex cases, we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to ensure you are comfortable and relaxed throughout the entire procedure.
Dr. Barbu uses 3D cone beam imaging to map exact tooth and root positions before surgery, resulting in a safer, more predictable procedure and faster healing.