Jaw Pain or Pressure

Aching, tightness, or pressure in the back of your jaw — especially if it comes and goes or has been getting gradually worse — is one of the most common signs of wisdom teeth trouble.

Swollen or Infected Gums

Red, puffy, or bleeding gum tissue around the back of your mouth often indicates pericoronitis — an infection of the gum flap over a partially erupted wisdom tooth. This needs prompt attention.

Crowding or Shifting Teeth

Wisdom teeth that don’t have room to erupt properly can push against adjacent teeth, causing crowding or undoing orthodontic work. This is especially relevant for teens and young adults.

Headaches or Earaches

Referred pain from impacted wisdom teeth can show up as headaches or ear pain. If you’ve been treating headaches without a clear cause, your wisdom teeth may be worth checking.

Bad Breath or Unusual Taste

Partially erupted wisdom teeth create pockets where bacteria collect and are nearly impossible to clean properly. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste can signal active infection.

Impaction Visible on X-Ray

Sometimes wisdom teeth cause no symptoms but are visibly impacted on imaging — growing sideways, toward adjacent roots, or trapped beneath the gumline. Proactive removal prevents future damage.

The Procedure

What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal

After Surgery

Recovery Timeline

Simple Extraction

$150 – $350

per tooth

Surgical / Impacted

$300 – $650

per tooth

IV Sedation

Additional fee

discuss at consult

Does wisdom teeth removal hurt?

Not during the procedure. You’ll be fully numbed and, if you choose IV sedation, deeply relaxed. Afterward, soreness is expected but well managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and any prescriptions Dr. Roberts provides.

Why is day 3 usually the worst?

Swelling from surgery peaks around 48 to 72 hours after the procedure, which is why day 3 tends to feel harder than day 1 or 2. It gets noticeably better after that. Cold packs in the first 24 hours help reduce peak swelling.

What is dry socket and how do I avoid it?

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms in the extraction site is dislodged before healing is complete — causing significant pain. Avoid straws, smoking, and aggressive rinsing for at least 5 days. The risk drops significantly after the first week.

Do all wisdom teeth need to come out?

Not always. If wisdom teeth are fully erupted, properly positioned, and easy to keep clean, they may not need removal. Dr. Roberts evaluates each case individually and only recommends extraction when it’s genuinely in the patient’s best interest.

How soon can I go back to work or school?

Most patients with desk jobs or school return within 2 to 3 days. Those with physically demanding work or activities should plan for 5 to 7 days off. Dr. Roberts will give you a specific recommendation based on what was removed.

Can you remove all four wisdom teeth at once?

Yes — removing all four in one appointment is common and often preferred so you only go through recovery once. Dr. Roberts will assess whether this is appropriate based on your case and overall health.

“I was terrified going in. Dr. Roberts and the team made the whole thing so calm and straightforward. I barely felt anything and was home resting within two hours. Seriously the easiest experience I could have hoped for.”

— Patient, The Tribute

“My son had all four out at once with IV sedation. He was nervous but Dr. Roberts walked him through everything beforehand. Recovery went exactly as they described — by day 5 he was basically back to normal.”

— Frisco Parent, Lone Star Ranch

“Had two impacted lower wisdom teeth removed here. Dr. Roberts has clearly done this thousands of times. The whole office handled everything including insurance and aftercare with zero stress on my end.”

— Patient, Phillips Creek Ranch