“Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. We can help determine that. And if you do, we can take handle the extractions in-house.”
— Dr. Christopher Campus
Dr. Campus is a Pensacola dentist who offers in-office extractions for wisdom teeth, when it is necessary.
Wisdom teeth (also called third molars) are the last teeth in the very back of your mouth. They are the last teeth to erupt, usually in your late teens or early twenties.For many people, you may never get wisdom teeth. While most adults have four wisdom teeth, around 35% of Americans have fewer. You may only have two, or even one wisdom tooth! Of course, whether these teeth erupt properly is another story.
When wisdom teeth should be extracted
It’s very common for wisdom teeth to become impacted, which simply means that they don’t erupt the way they should. There may not be enough room in your jaw, or the angle of entry is wrong.
If a wisdom tooth is impacted, we need to remove it as soon as possible, as it will undoubtedly cause serious problems for you. You may develop gum tenderness or notice swelling and pain. In some cases, even if your wisdom teeth erupt properly, we may recommend extracting them.


Statistically, over 85% of adults have their wisdom teeth removed. And while this number is declining, in many cases it makes sense to remove them. There are a few basic reasons:
- They are difficult to clean, and you are more likely to develop periodontal disease if you keep them.
- Your risk of problems also increases with age.
- If you get an odd number, they can cause your bite to shift over time, requiring orthodontic treatment.
If you’re thinking about having your wisdom teeth removed, it’s best to do it as soon as possible. The younger you are, the less likely these teeth have fully formed roots, which means removing them will be much easier. Your recovery time will also be reduced significantly. If you’re not sure whether you should remove your wisdom teeth, the best thing to do is to have x-rays taken. That will help us make a recommendation one way or the other.