Liberty University students
Wisdom teeth, handled close to campus
College is the classic age for wisdom teeth to make themselves known. We evaluate, image, and, when it's needed, remove them, in one office about ten minutes from Liberty.
If there's a dull ache at the very back of your jaw, or your gums back there feel swollen after a long study week, your wisdom teeth are probably the reason. The good news: you don't have to drive home to deal with it. We check them, image them, and take care of it here.
Why college is when they act up
Wisdom teeth, your third molars, are usually the last to arrive, and they tend to show up right around the traditional college years. Some come in straight and cause no trouble. Others run out of room, come in at an angle, or only partly break through the gum, which creates a little trap where bacteria collect. That's when you get the ache, the swelling, and sometimes an infection that seems to flare at the worst possible moment.
How we decide, together
We start with a look and an X-ray so we can see the angle, the roots, and how much space there is. Then we tell you honestly what we see. If your wisdom teeth are healthy and have room, we leave them alone and keep an eye on them at your cleanings. If one is trapped or heading for trouble, we explain why and what removal involves before you decide anything.
If they need to come out
Most removals happen right here, planned on our own 3D imaging so we know exactly what we're working with. We'll walk you through comfort options, what the day looks like, and the aftercare, and we schedule around your classes so recovery lands on a weekend or a break instead of an exam. You'll leave with clear instructions and a number to call if anything worries you.
What it costs
You get the price before we begin, never a surprise afterward. If you don't have dental insurance, the Virginia Dental Club takes 20 percent off, and we can set up monthly financing so the cost isn't a reason to put it off. If you're a student far from home, your parents can help set this up from out of state.
Book an evaluation online any hour, or call 540-315-3725. If a wisdom tooth is already hurting badly, see student emergency care for same-day help.
Reviewed by Dr. Jihoon Kim, DDS, July 2026
Common questions
Frequently asked
- How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to come out?
- Common signs are aching or pressure at the very back of your jaw, swelling or tenderness in the gums behind your last molar, a bad taste or trouble opening wide, and food that keeps packing in back there. Not every wisdom tooth has to go, though. We take an X-ray, look at the angle and the space, and give you a straight answer either way.
- Can you take them out right here, or do I get referred somewhere?
- In most cases we handle it right here on Thomson Drive, planned on our own 3D imaging. If a particular tooth is unusually deep or close to a nerve and is safer with an oral surgeon, we'll tell you plainly and help you arrange it. No guessing, no runaround.
- How long is recovery, and can I time it around classes?
- Most students feel the most swelling for two to three days and are back to normal within about a week. We schedule removals with your calendar in mind, so plan for a long weekend or the start of a break rather than the morning of an exam. We'll give you exact aftercare instructions before you leave.
- What does it cost if I don't have insurance?
- We give you the price before we do anything. If you don't have dental insurance, the Virginia Dental Club takes 20 percent off, and financing can spread it into monthly payments. Ask us and we'll lay out the real number for your situation.
- It only hurts a little. Should I just wait until summer?
- Sometimes waiting is fine, and sometimes a partly-erupted wisdom tooth is quietly trapping bacteria and heading toward an infection that flares at the worst possible time. A five-minute look and an X-ray tell us which one you are, so you can plan instead of gamble.
Not sure if they need to come out?
A quick exam and an X-ray settle it. Book online or call 540-315-3725.