Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom Teeth Removal provided by Our Expert Dentists
in Bells, Jackson, Milan & Lexington, TN at Premier Dental Center
 If you need wisdom teeth removal in Bells, Jackson, Milan, or Lexington, TN, Premier Dental Center handles the procedure with comfort options that include IV sedation.
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in, usually in the late teens or early twenties, and they often run out of room. When that happens, they can become impacted, crowd nearby teeth, or trap bacteria that leads to infection. Our team evaluates each case individually and recommends removal only when it’s genuinely warranted.
Not every wisdom tooth has to come out. Some erupt fully, sit in good position, and can be kept and cleaned like any other molar. The point of a consultation is to look at your specific situation with imaging and tell you honestly whether removal makes sense now, later, or not at all. If extraction is the right call, we’ll walk you through every step. For broader information on removing teeth, our tooth extraction resources cover the basics that apply here too.
We know oral surgery makes people nervous. A large part of why patients choose us for this procedure is our comfort and sedation approach.
On This Page
Why Wisdom Teeth Often Need to Come Out
 Most jaws don’t have enough room for a third set of molars. When wisdom teeth try to come in without space, they push against neighboring teeth, erupt at an angle, or stay trapped under the gum. That’s when problems start.
The most common reasons our team recommends removal include:
- Impaction – A wisdom tooth that can’t fully erupt stays partly or fully buried, which can lead to discomfort, cysts, or damage to the tooth in front of it.
- Crowding – Pressure from erupting wisdom teeth can shift other teeth out of alignment over time.
- Infection risk – A partly erupted wisdom tooth creates a flap of gum that traps food and bacteria, leading to repeated infection and a tooth infection or dental abscess.
- Decay you can’t reach – Wisdom teeth sit so far back that they’re hard to clean, which makes them prone to cavities.
- Recurring pain or pressure – Ongoing soreness at the back of the jaw is often the first sign that a wisdom tooth needs attention.
The only way to know what’s happening with your wisdom teeth is to look beneath the surface. We use panoramic and 3D imaging to see the position of each tooth, its roots, and its relationship to the nerve before recommending anything.
When Monitoring Makes More Sense Than Removal
If your wisdom teeth have fully erupted, sit in a healthy position, and you can clean them well, removal may not be necessary at all. In those cases, we monitor them at your regular checkups across our Bells, Jackson, Milan, and Lexington offices and act only if something changes. A recommendation to remove always comes from what the imaging and exam actually show, never from a default assumption.
Your Wisdom Teeth Team
Our doctors at Premier Dental Center have been performing extractions for West Tennessee patients since 1979. Across the practice, our training includes a strong emphasis on oral surgery and patient comfort: our doctors’ sedation credentials include IV sedation training completed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and our team holds membership in the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.
That sedation background is the reason we’re comfortable handling wisdom teeth in-house rather than referring most cases out. Our team also has extensive implant training, including roughly 400 hours of implant continuing education and membership in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, which matters when a wisdom tooth removal connects to a longer-term plan for the surrounding teeth. More about our doctors on our About Us page.
Your Wisdom Teeth Removal, Step by Step
Wisdom teeth removal at our offices moves through four stages, with the consultation and imaging often completed at a separate visit from the procedure itself.
Step 1: Consultation and 3D Imaging
We start by examining your mouth and taking a panoramic or 3D image of your jaw. This shows us the exact position of each wisdom tooth, the shape and depth of its roots, and how close it sits to the nerve. We use that detail to plan the procedure and to tell you what to expect before anything happens.
Step 2: Choosing Your Comfort Level
Before the procedure, we numb the area thoroughly with local anesthesia. For patients who want more, we offer oral conscious sedation and IV sedation so you can be relaxed or lightly asleep throughout. We talk through which option fits you based on the complexity of the case, your anxiety level, and your medical history.
Step 3: The Removal
Once you’re comfortable, our doctor removes the wisdom tooth. A fully erupted tooth often comes out simply. An impacted tooth may require a small opening in the gum and removal in sections to protect the surrounding bone. Most removals take less time than patients expect, and because the area is fully numbed, you stay comfortable throughout.
Step 4: Recovery and Aftercare
We send you home with clear instructions and a plan for managing swelling and discomfort. Most patients take it easy for the first two to three days, stick to soft foods, and feel substantially better within a week. We’ll let you know which symptoms are normal and which ones mean you should call us.
Benefits of Timely Wisdom Teeth Removal
 When wisdom teeth genuinely need to come out, addressing them before they cause bigger problems usually means an easier procedure and a smoother recovery.
Removing a problem wisdom tooth earlier, while the roots are less developed and the bone is more forgiving, tends to be more straightforward than waiting until an emergency forces the issue. It also protects the neighboring molar, which can be damaged by an impacted tooth pressing against it.
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Protects Nearby Teeth – Removing an impacted tooth prevents it from damaging the healthy molar in front of it, which our 3D imaging lets us evaluate before we begin.
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Stops Recurring Infections – Taking out a tooth that keeps trapping bacteria ends the cycle of swelling and soreness in one planned visit instead of repeated urgent trips.
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Easier Procedure and Recovery – Earlier removal, while roots are less developed, is typically simpler, and our IV sedation makes the appointment itself far more comfortable.
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One-Stop Care – Because we handle removal in-house across our four offices, you don’t need a separate referral to an outside surgeon. |
None of this means rushing into removal. It means that once removal is clearly the right choice, sooner is usually kinder to you than later.
Why Choose Our Team for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Premier Dental Center has been serving West Tennessee since 1979, and our four offices in Bells, Jackson, Milan, and Lexington let families handle wisdom teeth close to home rather than driving to a separate surgical center.
One of the main reasons patients choose us for this procedure is comfort. Our doctors’ IV sedation training from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and our American Dental Society of Anesthesiology membership mean we can offer deeper sedation in our own offices, with a team that manages anxious and fearful patients every week.
We also plan with detail. Panoramic and 3D imaging let us map each wisdom tooth and its roots before the procedure, which reduces surprises during the removal and helps recovery go smoothly. When a removal ties into a longer plan for the surrounding teeth, our implant training means we can talk through what comes next without sending you elsewhere.
We won’t push you toward removal you don’t need. If monitoring is the better path for your wisdom teeth, we’ll tell you so, and we’ll keep an eye on them at your regular visits.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost and Financing
Cost is a fair question, and we’ll be straight with you about it. The cost of wisdom teeth removal depends on how many teeth you’re having removed, whether they’re erupted or impacted, and which sedation option you choose. A single erupted tooth with local anesthesia is very different from four impacted teeth with IV sedation, so we give you a clear estimate after the consultation and imaging.
Most dental insurance plans cover at least part of wisdom teeth removal, especially when the teeth are causing problems. Our front office team verifies your benefits and explains your estimated out-of-pocket cost before we schedule the procedure. We list the plans we accept and the financing we offer through Cherry, Sunbit, and CareCredit with our insurance and financing options.
If paying for the procedure is a concern, tell us. We work with patients to find a plan that fits, and our membership plan can help patients without dental insurance manage the cost.
Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Consultation
The first step is a consultation and a look at your imaging. Call Premier Dental Center at 731-300-3000 or request an appointment online. We serve patients across Bells, Jackson, Milan, and Lexington, TN. See all four office locations for hours and directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need my wisdom teeth removed?
Not always. Wisdom teeth that erupt fully, sit in a healthy position, and can be cleaned properly can often be kept and monitored. Removal is recommended when a tooth is impacted, crowding other teeth, decaying, or causing repeated infection. The imaging and exam at your consultation give you a clear, case-specific answer rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
Will I be asleep during wisdom teeth removal?
That’s your choice. The area is always fully numbed with local anesthesia. Beyond that, we offer oral conscious sedation to keep you calm and IV sedation to keep you lightly asleep through the whole procedure. Our doctors’ IV sedation training and anesthesiology society membership mean we can provide deeper sedation safely in our own offices. More on your sedation dentistry options.
How long does recovery from wisdom teeth removal take?
Most patients feel the worst of the swelling for the first two to three days and feel substantially back to normal within about a week. Impacted teeth that required an opening in the gum tend to take a little longer than simple extractions. Sticking to soft foods, keeping the area clean as directed, and resting for the first couple of days makes a real difference in how quickly you bounce back.
Does it hurt to have wisdom teeth removed?
The area is fully numbed before we begin, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure itself, and sedation is available if you want it. Afterward, some soreness and swelling are normal for a few days and are well managed with the instructions we send home with you. Most patients describe the recovery as more manageable than they expected going in.
Is there an age that’s too late to remove wisdom teeth?
There’s no strict cutoff. Removal is often simpler in the late teens and early twenties because the roots are less developed and the bone is more forgiving, but adults of any age can have wisdom teeth removed when they’re causing problems. The right timing depends on your specific teeth and overall health, which we review at your consultation. Every case requires X-rays before any recommendation.
What is dry socket and how do I avoid it?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot that forms in the extraction site is dislodged before healing, exposing the bone underneath. You lower your risk significantly by avoiding straws, smoking, and vigorous rinsing for the first few days, and by following the aftercare steps we provide. If it does happen, it’s easily treated, so call us and we’ll get you comfortable quickly.
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?
We can’t give an honest number until we’ve seen your imaging, because a single erupted tooth and four impacted teeth are very different procedures. One thing worth knowing: insurance often covers more when wisdom teeth are actively causing problems than when removal is purely preventive, so the timing of treatment can affect your out-of-pocket cost. Our front office team checks your specific coverage and gives you the estimate before scheduling. See the plans we accept and our insurance and financing options.
What happens if I leave a problem wisdom tooth alone?
A wisdom tooth that’s already causing trouble rarely settles down on its own. Left alone, an impacted or partly erupted tooth can lead to repeated infections, damage to the molar next to it, cysts, and worsening pain that eventually becomes urgent. Addressing it on a planned basis is almost always easier than handling it as a toothache emergency later. |
