What’s the Best Age for Wisdom Teeth Removal? Insights from Perth Dental Experts

The time you decide to have your wisdom teeth extracted matters more than what you may think. Whether you’re a teenager, in your 20s, or older, the age at which wisdom tooth removal happens may affect how complex the surgery is or how quickly you recover. In this article, we’ll talk about why timing is an important factor in wisdom tooth removal and how your age may influence the procedure itself and the healing process. We’ll also talk about the best age for wisdom teeth removal.

Why Age Matters for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Sometimes, the age at which you get your wisdom teeth taken out may affect how easy the procedure is, how fast you heal, and how likely you are to have issues afterwards:

Root Development and Jaw Strength

When you’re in your late teens or early twenties, the roots of your wisdom teeth have only partly formed, and the bone is also softer. That’s why extracting wisdom tooth removal at this stage is typically easier and less uncomfortable. However, as you get older, the roots of your wisdom teeth grow longer and go deeper into your jawbone, which can make the removal a little more uncomfortable.

Easier, Quicker Healing

When you’re younger, your body tends to heal quicker. Your gum tissue can cover the wound faster after wisdom tooth extraction, and you are less likely to get infections or painful conditions like a dry socket.

Lower Risk of Complications

Wisdom teeth extraction at a younger age may reduce the risk of complications like nerve damage or a dry socket. However, when you’re in your late twenties because the roots of your wisdom teeth have fully grown and the bone has become stronger, removal can become tougher, and recovery can take a bit longer.

Ideal Age Range – 17 to 25

Most dentists agree that the best time to remove wisdom teeth is between the ages of 17 and 25. This is because the teeth are easier to remove during this time, and your body heals more quickly. Let us explain it more:

Ages 16–17

When you’re 16 or 17, your wisdom teeth are still growing, and their roots may not be fully developed yet. If your dentist sees signs of problems on an X-ray—like impaction, the teeth pushing against others, unusual angles, or not enough space—they might recommend removal. But in many cases, dentists prefer to wait and keep monitoring the wisdom teeth until the roots have grown a bit more.

Ages 18–20

Between 18 and 20, the roots of your wisdom teeth have usually grown a bit but haven’t fully formed yet. Your jawbone is still relatively soft, which can make the removal process less uncomfortable. You’ll heal faster at this age, too, and the risk of complications after the procedure is lower.

Ages 21–25

By this age, your wisdom teeth have typically grown fully or are nearly there. The roots are more developed now, which can make the removal a bit trickier for some, but most people still handle the procedure well. Healing might take a little longer compared to younger patients, but this is still considered a good time for wisdom teeth removal.

Age 26 and older

After your mid‑20s, the roots of your wisdom teeth are fully formed, and the jawbone becomes denser. This may make your wisdom teeth removal a little more difficult, especially if your teeth are impacted or close to nerves. Recovery may take a bit longer, and there may be a slightly higher risk of complications. But if your wisdom teeth are causing pain or infection or may damage nearby teeth, your South Perth Dentist will probably decide to extract them to prevent further complications.

Note: If you’re between 18 and 25 and haven’t had your wisdom teeth checked yet, it’s a good idea to speak with your dentist. It’s usually easier to remove them at this age, and healing tends to be faster. Even if you’re not feeling pain now, a dental exam can tell you if they are in good shape and there are no signs of problems. A simple check-up and X-ray can help you avoid future problems.

What If You’re Older Than 25?

If you’re over 25 and still have your wisdom teeth, don’t panic! It’s definitely not too late to have them removed if your dentist determines removal is necessary. But there are a few things to be aware of. By this age, the roots of the teeth are usually fully formed and have gone deeper into the jawbone. The bone itself is also denser, and in some cases, the teeth are closer to important nerves. Because of this, removal might be a bit more involved, and recovery can take a little longer compared to someone in their early 20s.

That said, many people in their late 20s, 30s or even 40s still need their wisdom teeth removed, especially if the teeth are causing problems, such as impaction, ongoing pain or swelling, cysts, decay or infection, and pressure on the molars next to them.

Our full guide explains what you need to know about wisdom teeth removal in Perth.

Why Proactive Doesn’t Mean Premature

Some Teens Want to “Just Get It Done”

Some of our patients who are in their teens or their parents ask us to have their wisdom teeth extracted, even before these teeth get a chance to cause any problems. While this can be the right decision in some cases, it is not always necessary and viable.

We Check Before We Act

We don’t go straight to removal based on age alone. Instead, we look at X-rays and growth scans to see how far the roots have developed and whether there’s space in your jaw for your wisdom teeth to come through safely. If everything looks fine and the teeth are developing normally, we often recommend keeping an eye on them rather than removing them right away. But if we see signs of crowding, impaction or unusual angles, early removal may be necessary to help prevent bigger issues later on.

Waiting Too Long Has Its Own Risks

Waiting until your late 20s or 30s to remove wisdom teeth can make things more complicated. As mentioned earlier, by then, the roots of your wisdom teeth may be fully formed and curved, and the bone becomes denser. That can increase the chance of pain, swelling or complications like dry socket after surgery.

What We Look for at Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic

We make sure we only recommend removal when it’s really necessary. Here’s how we check:

Root Shape and Development (X-ray evidence)

We take X-rays to see how the roots of your wisdom teeth are growing. Roots that curve around or are too close to nerves may be a concern. We can spot teeth that haven’t fully formed yet and measure how deep they go, which helps find the safest time to act.

Jawbone Density and Nerve Proximity

We check how tough the bone is. Softer bone makes removal easier. We also look closely at where the lower jaw nerve (inferior alveolar nerve) lies and, for upper teeth, how close they are to your sinus area. That tells us if we need special care or a different plan.

Your Age, Health and Symptoms

We consider your age, any health conditions you may have, and whether you’re experiencing pain, swelling or infections. A healthy 19‑year‑old who feels fine might just need monitoring. But someone older with pain or swelling often needs extraction sooner.

Medical and Dental History

We also ask about your past medical treatment, any jaw treatment you’ve had, current medications you are taking, or any past dental surgeries. Some medical conditions or treatments may affect how your mouth heals, so we keep that in mind when planning time and care.

We put all those pieces together to make a personalised plan. That might mean:

• Keeping track of your growth and space
• Acting early if we see signs of trouble
• Waiting a little longer if everything looks good

This way, we take out your wisdom teeth only if needed—and at the right time for your mouth, not your birthdate. We don’t just remove wisdom teeth because a patient turned 18. We assess each case based on anatomy and long-term risk.

So, What’s the Best Age?

The ideal age to remove wisdom teeth is between 18 and 24—it’s simpler, and healing is quicker. Removal is still fine up to 25–30, but may take a little more care. After that, it depends on your individual case, symptoms, and risk factors.

FYI

Even though wisdom tooth surgery may be a little more complex after 25, it’s still a very common and safe procedure. What matters to your dentist during a check-up isn’t how old you are but what’s actually going on in your mouth.

Dr Roya Moulavi: “Age isn’t a disqualifier. We perform extractions for patients in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. Before any dental surgery, we carry out a comprehensive assessment to reduce the risk of complications and ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you be too old to remove wisdom teeth?

There’s usually no age limit for removing wisdom teeth, but the procedure may be a bit more complex as you get older.

Is it okay to keep wisdom teeth if they don’t hurt?

If your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, and not causing any problems, you might not need to remove them. But they should still be checked regularly because sometimes issues like decay or crowding can develop without you even noticing them.

Need Clarity? Visit Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic

Not sure where you stand? Book a consultation at Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic, and we’ll assess the development of your wisdom teeth, review your X-rays, and help you make the right decision. Call us at: (08) 9474 5083.