ATTENTION VA BEACH PATIENTS:
Our new location is 837 First Colonial Road, VA Beach, VA 23451
A dull ache in the back of your jaw that won’t go away, swelling near your last molar, or a nagging pressure every time you chew can all point to one thing: a wisdom tooth that never had room to come in properly. When a third molar grows in at an angle, gets trapped beneath the gum line, or only partially breaks through, it’s considered impacted, and left untreated, it can crowd nearby teeth, trap food and bacteria, or lead to infection.
We know how unsettling it can feel to hear that surgery might be the answer, especially when you’re not sure what’s actually happening inside your jaw. At Goodove Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we’ve spent years helping Virginia Beach patients and their families understand exactly what’s going on with their wisdom teeth and what their options look like, so every decision feels informed rather than overwhelming.
Wisdom teeth typically try to erupt in the late teens or early twenties, and because they’re the last molars to arrive, they often don’t have enough space to grow in straight. An impacted tooth may stay fully hidden below the gum, break through only partially, or push sideways into the roots of the tooth next to it. None of these situations are something you need to figure out on your own, since a simple exam and X-ray can tell us exactly how a tooth is positioned and whether it’s causing problems.
Several signs tend to show up before a patient even realizes a wisdom tooth is impacted, and knowing them can help you decide when it’s time to come in for an evaluation.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s worth scheduling a consultation before the tooth has a chance to affect the teeth around it.
Walking into a consultation without knowing what will happen is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for our patients, so we walk through every step before any decision gets made.
Your visit starts with a conversation about your symptoms, a clinical exam, and imaging that lets Dr. Scott Goodove, Dr. Peter Zagursky, and Dr. Sam Fowler see the exact angle and depth of each wisdom tooth. This gives our team a clear picture of how straightforward or complex your case is before we ever discuss treatment. Research from a 2025 study in the peer-reviewed Dentistry Journal found that impacted third molars evaluated and managed early, generally before age 25, are associated with fewer complications such as infection, swelling, and prolonged healing than those addressed later, which is why we encourage patients not to put off that first evaluation once symptoms appear.
Once we’ve mapped out the tooth’s position, we talk through sedation choices so you know exactly what to expect on surgery day. Whether that means local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation, our surgical team monitors you closely throughout the procedure and gives you clear aftercare instructions to follow at home. We also review pain management and recovery timelines so nothing about the days after surgery catches you off guard.
We’ve built our practice around the idea of being a hometown oral surgeon for Hampton Roads families, and that shows in how we treat every patient who walks through our door. Because we’re independently owned and operated, our doctors have the flexibility to make decisions based on what’s genuinely best for you, which means continuity of care from your first consultation through your final follow-up.
That personal approach extends to how we handle the practical side of treatment as well. Our team works directly with patients on insurance and payment options, including coverage through TRICARE, VA benefits, Medicaid, and most major PPO plans, so cost concerns don’t stand between you and the care you need. We also see a large number of referrals from trusted general dentists across Virginia Beach, a relationship we take seriously because it means families already trust us with the people they care about most.
Impacted wisdom teeth rarely resolve on their own, but with the right team behind you, treating them doesn’t have to be stressful. Our surgeons bring decades of combined experience to every extraction, and our staff is trained to make sure you feel supported, informed, and comfortable from your very first appointment through recovery.
If you’ve noticed swelling, jaw pain, or any of the warning signs we’ve covered here, we’d love the chance to take a closer look and talk through your options together. You can contact our Virginia Beach office today to schedule your consultation.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
