Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars and come through right at the back of the mouth. They erupt during the late teens and early 20s and are the last teeth to appear. Some people find their wisdom teeth come through smoothly, but others aren’t so lucky. If your jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate these teeth, they can cause various problems.
Monitoring your wisdom teeth
Shire Dental can monitor the position of wisdom teeth yet to erupt, and we will recommend removing them if we can see they cannot come through problem free.
Potential problems caused by wisdom teeth include:
Wisdom teeth that only partially erupt, so they remain partly covered by gum tissue. This makes them extremely tricky to keep clean, making them more likely to become infected and decayed.- Wisdom teeth that try to come through underneath the adjacent teeth, potentially damaging these teeth or the tooth roots.
- Sometimes a cyst can form, damaging tooth roots or the jawbone.
- Some wisdom teeth remain completely trapped in the jawbone where they are fully impacted. This means they have become trapped underneath the teeth, just below the gum line, or have developed at an angle.
What Happens If I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
We can carry out straightforward wisdom tooth removals in our comfortable dental clinic. Before removing the tooth, we will ensure it is completely numb, so you feel comfortable during treatment.
A partly or completely erupted wisdom tooth is quite quick to remove. If the tooth is stuck underneath the gum and is impacted, we will need to make a small opening in the jawbone to extract it.
We may section or cut the wisdom tooth into smaller pieces, so we only need to make a tiny opening in the bone. If we consider your wisdom tooth removal to be more complex, we may refer you to an oral surgeon who routinely completes this treatment and can ensure the procedure is quick and smooth.
Recovering after Wisdom Tooth Removal
Most people find their recovery after Wisdom tooth removal is smooth and uneventful, but it may take longer for you to heal if you are older.
During healing, it is best to avoid eating sticky or hard foods such as nuts or seeds that could become stuck in the surgery site.
We will give you clear instructions on caring for your mouth while it heals, and we are always here to answer any questions or queries.
FAQ's
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to emerge, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people have no issues with their wisdom teeth, others may experience complications due to insufficient space in the jaw, leading to impacted wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth become impacted when there isn’t enough room in the jaw for them to emerge properly. This can cause them to develop at an angle, become trapped against other teeth, or remain below the gum line.
Impacted wisdom teeth may not always cause pain or obvious symptoms. However, they can lead to problems such as pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and general illness due to infection around a partially erupted tooth. Regular oral health checks are essential to detect any issues.
Extraction is advised when:
- Wisdom teeth are only partially erupted, risking infection.
- There is a potential for damage to adjacent teeth.
- A cyst forms, which could destroy surrounding bone or tooth roots.
It is estimated that over 80% of wisdom teeth will need to be removed. Although it’s difficult to predict if or when they might cause problems, early removal is recommended to avoid complications. Extraction in older patients can be more challenging and may result in a longer healing period.
