Medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Kibler

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Summerville, SC

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last permanent teeth to come in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. Most jaws do not have room for them. When they try to erupt anyway, they can push against neighboring molars, get stuck under the gum or bone, trap food and bacteria, and cause pain, swelling, or infection. Sometimes they cause damage with no symptoms at all until an X-ray reveals it.

At Old Trolley Dental Associates, most wisdom teeth are removed right here in our office as part of our restorative dentistry services in Summerville, SC, so you do not need a separate referral for most cases. Dr. Michael Skovira completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, with extensive surgical training, and serves as an adjunct faculty member and clinical instructor who trains MUSC dental students in oral surgery. Dr. Scott Kibler, who has practiced in Summerville since 2006, works alongside him so your care stays in one familiar office.

Why Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems

When there is not enough space for a wisdom tooth to come in straight, it becomes impacted, meaning it is fully or partially trapped beneath the gum or bone. Impacted and partially erupted wisdom teeth are linked to infection, cysts, decay, gum disease, and damage to the roots of the second molars next to them. Even wisdom teeth that come in fully are so far back that they are hard to clean well.

Removal is one of the most common procedures young adults have. A 2022 study in Frontiers in Dental Medicine estimated that about half of privately insured patients in the U.S. had at least one wisdom tooth removed by age 25.

Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

How a wisdom tooth is positioned determines how it is removed. Our 3D cone beam imaging shows the exact angle of each tooth and its relationship to nearby nerves, roots, and sinuses.

Fully Erupted

Through the gum and removed much like a standard tooth extraction.

Soft Tissue Impaction

The crown is through the bone but still covered by gum tissue.

Partial Bony Impaction

Part of the tooth is still held in the jawbone.

Full Bony Impaction

The tooth is completely encased in bone, often tilted toward the next molar.

Erupted and soft tissue cases are usually simpler. Bony impactions need a small incision and sometimes sectioning of the tooth into pieces so it can be removed gently.

Signs You May Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Watch for pain or pressure at the back of the jaw, swollen or tender gums behind your last molars, a bad taste or odor from that area, jaw stiffness or trouble opening your mouth fully, repeated gum infections around a partially erupted tooth, or new crowding of your front teeth. Many problems show no symptoms, which is why we check wisdom teeth on routine X-rays. Not every wisdom tooth has to come out. If yours are healthy, fully erupted, and easy to clean, we may recommend monitoring them instead.

What Happens During Wisdom Tooth Removal

Most wisdom tooth appointments take about an hour or less, depending on how many teeth are removed and how they are positioned.

Consultation and Imaging

We review your X-rays or 3D scan, your health history, and your options.

Numbing

Local anesthetic fully numbs the area so you feel pressure, not pain. For patients who feel anxious about dental surgery, our sedation dentistry options make the experience far more manageable.

Gentle Removal

The tooth is loosened and removed, or sectioned first if it is impacted.

Closing and Instructions

We place stitches if needed and send you home with gauze and written aftercare.

Oral sedation allows you to remain relaxed and comfortable throughout, and many patients report remembering very little of the procedure afterward.

Before your visit, tell us about all medications and supplements you take, especially blood thinners, and any heart, immune, or joint replacement conditions. This helps us plan a safe procedure. If you are nervous, let us know ahead of time so we can talk through ways to make your visit more comfortable.

General Dentist or Oral Surgeon

Many general dentists refer every wisdom tooth to an oral surgeon, which means a new office, another consultation, and more time before you get relief. Because of Dr. Skovira’s surgical training and teaching role at MUSC, we remove most wisdom teeth in-house, including many impacted cases. For the small number of cases that are especially complex, such as a tooth sitting directly against a major nerve, we will tell you honestly and coordinate a referral to an oral surgeon.

Wisdom Teeth Recovery Timeline

Most people feel back to normal within a few days to a week. Here is what a typical recovery looks like.

First 24 Hours

Rest, bite on gauze to control bleeding, and use ice on the cheek.

Days 2 to 3

Swelling usually peaks. Stick to soft foods and take pain relief as directed.

Days 4 to 7

Soreness fades and most people return to normal routines.

Weeks 1 to 2

Gum tissue closes over the sites. Bone keeps healing for several weeks.

These aftercare steps help you heal smoothly and lower your risk of dry socket, the most common complication, which happens when the blood clot in the socket is dislodged too early.

Soft foods: Yogurt, soup, eggs, and mashed potatoes for the first several days.
No straws or smoking: Suction and smoke can pull the clot loose, so avoid both for at least 72 hours.
Ice, then rest: Apply ice in 20-minute intervals for the first day, and skip strenuous exercise for about 48 hours.
Gentle cleaning: Brush carefully around the sites and rinse gently with warm salt water starting the day after surgery.
Follow-up: Keep any post-operative visits so we can confirm the sites are healing well.

Call us if you have bleeding that will not slow down, pain that gets worse after the third day, a fever, or swelling that keeps increasing.

Cost and Insurance for Wisdom Teeth Removal

The cost depends on how many teeth are removed and whether they are erupted or impacted. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of wisdom tooth extractions, and we accept many PPO plans, including Aetna, Ameritas, Cigna, Delta Dental PPO, Guardian, United Concordia, and UnitedHealthcare. We will give you an estimate before treatment, and our financing options, including CareCredit and Cherry, can help with any remaining balance.

Wisdom Tooth Pain? Skip the Referral

Most wisdom teeth are removed right here in our Summerville office by Dr. Skovira.

What to Do If Your Wisdom Teeth Hurt Right Now

Rinse gently with warm salt water several times a day to keep the area clean. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress on the outside of your cheek can ease pain and swelling. Brush carefully around the back teeth rather than avoiding them. If you notice swelling in your face or jaw, a fever, pus, or trouble swallowing or opening your mouth, that can signal an infection that needs prompt care, so call our office at 843-960-0389. Even if the pain fades, schedule an exam, since wisdom tooth problems often return.

Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQs

Here are answers to the questions patients and parents ask us most often.

What is the best age to have wisdom teeth removed?

Many dentists recommend evaluating wisdom teeth in the late teens or early twenties. At that age, the roots are often not fully formed and healing tends to be faster. Adults can have wisdom teeth removed safely too, and we evaluate every case individually.

Does everyone need their wisdom teeth removed?

No. If your wisdom teeth are fully erupted, properly aligned, healthy, and easy to clean, they may be able to stay. We will monitor them with regular exams and X-rays and let you know if anything changes.

Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?

The area is fully numbed, so you should feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. Afterward, soreness and swelling are normal for a few days and are usually managed with the pain relief we recommend.

How do I know if I have dry socket?

Dry socket usually causes throbbing pain that gets worse two to four days after surgery instead of better, often spreading toward the ear, with a bad taste or visible empty socket. Call us if this happens, since it is easily treated in the office.

Can all four wisdom teeth be removed at once?

Often, yes. Removing them in one visit means one recovery period. In some cases, we may recommend removing them in stages based on their position and your health.

When can I go back to school or work?

Many people return to school or desk work within two to three days. If your job is physically demanding, you may need a few extra days. We will give you guidance based on your specific procedure.

Wisdom Teeth Removal at Old Trolley Dental Associates

Dr. Michael Skovira trains MUSC dental students in oral surgery, and together with Dr. Scott Kibler he brings decades of combined experience to every extraction, backed by 3D cone beam imaging for precise planning. Our Summerville practice has earned over 1000 five-star reviews, and most wisdom teeth are removed in-house, so you can stay with the doctors who already know your history. You can meet our doctors before your visit.

If your wisdom teeth are causing pain, or you want to know whether they should come out, we can evaluate them and explain your options. Contact Old Trolley Dental Associates or call 843-376-6929 to schedule your wisdom tooth consultation in Summerville, SC.