No — not all wisdom teeth require extraction. Wisdom teeth that have erupted fully, are correctly aligned, and can be cleaned properly may be left in place. Removal is typically recommended when a wisdom tooth is impacted (trapped in the jaw or gums), grows at an angle that puts pressure on neighboring teeth, causes pain, swelling, or repeated infection, or contributes to cysts or decay. At Drs. Nicolas & Asp Centers, your oral surgeon will assess your wisdom teeth with X-rays or 3D imaging before making any recommendation.