Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the last teeth to come in, usually in the late teens or early twenties. Many jaws do not have room for them. They can come in crooked, stay partly under the gum, or stay trapped in the bone. That is when people notice pain at the back of the mouth, swollen gums, food getting caught, or pressure on the teeth in front.
The first step is finding out what is actually going on. At Diamond Dental, Dr. Barry Diamond examines your wisdom teeth, takes X-rays, and explains what he sees and what needs to happen next. You get answers and a plan from your own dentist, without waiting months just to be seen.
Wisdom teeth cause trouble in a few common ways. An impacted tooth stays trapped in the jawbone or under the gum and cannot come in. A partly erupted tooth breaks through only part way, leaving a flap of gum where food and bacteria collect and infection can start. A tooth that comes in at an angle can push against the molar in front of it, trap food between the two, and make both teeth harder to clean.
Some wisdom teeth never cause a problem and can simply be watched. Others start quietly, with decay or gum inflammation that you cannot feel yet. An exam and X-rays tell you which kind you have.
A wisdom tooth that is causing trouble rarely fixes itself. Infection around a partly erupted tooth tends to come back. Decay that starts on a wisdom tooth can spread to the molar next to it, and that molar is one you want to keep. Pressure and swelling can make chewing, opening your mouth, and keeping the area clean harder over time.
Looking at the problem early gives you more choices. If the tooth only needs watching, you know what to look for. If it needs to come out, removal can be planned before the pain gets worse, and any infection can be treated first.
Your visit starts with a conversation about your symptoms: where it hurts, how long it has been going on, and whether it comes and goes. Dr. Diamond then examines the area and takes X-rays to see how the wisdom teeth sit in the jaw, how much room they have, and whether they are affecting the teeth and gums around them. The practice also uses the iTero Element 5D scanner for detailed digital images of your teeth.
From there, Dr. Diamond explains what he found and what he recommends. That may be watching the tooth and rechecking it at your regular visits, treating an infection or cleaning the area, or removal. If a different tooth is the problem, our tooth extractions page explains how Dr. Diamond removes teeth that cannot be saved.
Dr. Diamond earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program.
If a wisdom tooth is hurting or infected, Diamond Dental can treat the pain and infection first so you are comfortable. Dr. Diamond explains each option, what it involves, and what to expect, so you can decide with all the facts.
After any removal, you come back to Diamond Dental for your regular checkups and cleanings. Dr. Diamond checks how the area has healed and keeps an eye on the teeth next to where the wisdom teeth were.
Dr. Diamond is the best dentist I’ve been to. When I was in a lot of pain from a bad root canal (done by a different dentist) he was available at night to prescribe me meds right away, and he made time to see me in the office outside of his regular hours to take care of it. Highly recommend!
My family has had an outstanding experience with Diamond Dental. They take care of all of my children as well as my wife, and every visit has been a positive one. The entire staff is friendly, professional, and genuinely cares about making patients feel comfortable from the moment you walk through the door.The dentists and hygienists are knowledgeable, thorough, and take the time to explain everything clearly. They are especially great with children, making each appointment a stress-free experience for both the kids and parents. I highly recommend Diamond Dental to any family looking for exceptional dental care and outstanding customer service. They have definitely earned our trust and our continued business!
Great Dentist! Friendly,professional and does a great job!
Batya was super kind and gentle as my dental hygienist! And, everyone else was very nice as well!
Great service and always stellar dental work! Would never go anywhere else!
