Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are your third molars right at the back of the mouth, and they don’t come through until the late teens or early 20s, or even later.
You have four wisdom teeth, two in your lower jaw and two in your upper jaw.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Frequently Cause Problems?
By the time your wisdom teeth erupt, you already have your adult teeth, and often there is insufficient room for wisdom teeth to erupt problem-free. As a result, these teeth can become impacted or stuck in the jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth can erupt underneath the adjacent teeth, potentially damaging them or erupt sideways through the gum. Sometimes a wisdom tooth will partially erupt, remaining partly covered by the gum. When this is the case, it is extremely difficult to keep the tooth clean and especially because it is so far back in the mouth, increasing the chance of infection and decay.
Will Wisdom Teeth Always Need Removing?
If you have yet to receive your wisdom teeth, they may not necessarily need to come out, and we prefer to wait and see rather than take them out automatically. However, we can monitor their position carefully during your regular dental examinations using digital dental x-rays. These x-rays will show us the location of the wisdom teeth in your jaw, so we can see if they will erupt normally or will need removing.
What Will Happen If I Do Need Wisdom Teeth Removed?
If you do need wisdom teeth removed, we will ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Local anaesthesia will keep you comfortable during treatment, and we can remove partially erupted wisdom teeth quite quickly. When a tooth is stuck in the jaw, we make a tiny opening in the jawbone to expose it. We may choose to section or cut the tooth into smaller pieces, so removing it is more comfortable for you.
What to Expect After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Usually, healing is fairly quick and straightforward after wisdom teeth are removed, and any tenderness can be relieved with over the counter painkillers. However, we will provide full instructions on caring for your mouth as it heals, including how to keep the surgery site clean until it has sufficiently healed so you can brush it gently. We will also advise you on what to eat as it can be more comfortable to stick to soft, cooler foods for the first few days.
As with any treatment provided here at Jetty Road Dental Clinic, our friendly team is always here to offer more advice and help whenever required.