Wisdom teeth—those molars all the way in the back of your mouth that make an appearance in
your latter teenage years—will need to be removed for the majority of people. Our jaws are
much smaller today than they were thousands of years ago. Most people will have some type of
problem with their wisdom teeth and need to get them removed.
What age is the most common to get wisdom teeth removed? From age ranges to the best age
you can consider wisdom tooth removal, here’s why you shouldn’t wait to get your wisdom
teeth removed if you need to.
Age 16-20 Is the Most Common Age Range
Age 16-20 is a fairly broad age range, but it’s the most common for wisdom tooth extractions.
Some patients are older or younger when they have their wisdom teeth removed, it all depends
on when your wisdom teeth are developing. Dentists typically like to wait until the teeth are
almost completely developed to extract them.
If you’re outside of this age range and need to have your wisdom teeth removed, don’t worry.
Wisdom teeth extractions are very successful in patients of all ages. This procedure is considered very safe and effective when performed by your oral healthcare professional.
Optimal Time Based on Tooth Formation
For the majority of patients, the best time for wisdom tooth extractions is right around the age
of 18. Again, this will depend on how far along your teeth are in developing. Your dentist will
want to wait until two-thirds of the tooth is formed.
Waiting until the wisdom teeth are mostly formed makes it easier for your dentist to extract
them. Your dentist can tell from x-rays how developed your wisdom teeth are and when the
best time to remove them is, if they need to be removed. Generally, this happens around 18
years of age.
Getting the Procedure Sooner Rather than Later
In general, older patients experience more problems with their wisdom tooth removal. Their
body may take longer to heal itself, or they may be more at risk to experience dry socket or
nerve damage. If you need your wisdom teeth removed, the longer wait can increase the
likelihood of complications after the procedure.
However, don’t let this prevent you from getting your wisdom teeth removed. Experienced
dentists can remove wisdom teeth if necessary at any age. Generally, the sooner you have your
wisdom teeth extracted, the easier the procedure will be and the faster the healing time!
Has your dentist evaluated your smile for wisdom tooth removal? When you need your wisdom
teeth removed, don’t delay in setting up an appointment. Getting your wisdom teeth removed
is a common procedure that can alleviate the many problems wisdom teeth can cause.
Schedule a consultation with your dentist today if you haven’t already for a wisdom tooth
evaluation for you or your child!
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