Wisdom teeth are located at the back of your mouth and are also known as the third molar. They come through your gums during the late teens or 20s and while they can come through without causing issues, they can also cause problems – such as incomplete growth (partially erupted), getting stuck, growing at an angle, or growing too long.
Getting wisdom teeth removed is common, and there are a few reasons why you might need this done, including the following:
- Ongoing pain
- If it has grown too far out and damages the cheek or gums
- Repeated infections of the gum
- Serious infection of the gum
- Tooth decay
- Problems with your jaw
- Unable to clean it properly, causing decay and gum problems
- Lack of space
- Possible cyst or other jaw problems, including jaw fracture
What You Need To Know
We have around 32 teeth in our mouth, and sometimes our jaw does not have sufficient room to accommodate them or sometimes the gum at the back of the wisdom teeth covers part of the tooth making them extremely difficult to clean.
If you’re experiencing pain and/or other problems from your wisdom teeth, extraction might be the best option moving forward. Here’s more of what you need to know.
Your dentist will be able to check the tooth that’s causing you problems and determine whether or not it needs removing. Removal can usually be completed by our in house Dental Surgeon.
Recovery is usually quite fast, though you may experience some discomfort for a few days afterwards. You might want to take a few days or up to a week off work but will be able to return to all normal activities in that time. The following are some of the ways you can manage the recovery:
If you are experiencing pain, use a general pain reliever your treating dentist will advise what pain relief is best for you.
For bleeding, try to avoid spitting too much blood out as this will stop the blood clot forming. Replace the gauze as often as necessary.
For swelling and bruising, use an ice pack. If you are experiencing swelling of the cheeks, this should subside within 2-3 days, while bruising could take a week or so.
With drinking and eating, avoid alcohol, caffeine, carbonated or hot drinks for 24 hours and don’t drink through a straw for a week. Eat only soft food for the first 24 hours and avoid anything hard, chewy, hot or spicy as these might irritate the wound.
When it comes to keeping your mouth clean, don’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth or use mouthwash for 24 hours. When you do start doing these again, take care around the wound area for the first week. If you are a smoker, stay away from tobacco for at least three days, longer if possible.
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Infection
- Dry socket (socket isn’t healing well)
- Retained roots
- Sinus issues
- Damage to other teeth
- Broken jaw (rare)
- Nerve damage (rare)
- Trismus (rare – not being able to open your jaw properly)
- Osteonecrosis (very rare – jawbone starts to die)
Your wisdom teeth don’t generally appear until you’re between the ages of 17 and 25, however if your dentist finds them to be a potential future problem, you can have them extracted earlier. Some people have them removed when they are 13 years old – it really depends on the individual. Many dentists believe its better to have them removed when younger, before the roots and bone are fully formed; while others won’t consider removal until the teeth are fully emerged.
The cost of removing your wisdom teeth varies, depending on how intricate the treatment is going to be. If the removal is simple, it will be much more affordable. If you need more complex surgery, it will incur a higher fee per tooth. Speak to your dentist to get a better idea of what your needs are and request a quote.
Dependant on the position and condition of your wisdom teeth, the alternative may be to simply leave them alone and treat them if or when the cause problems.
If you want to find out more about wisdom teeth removal and to discuss your options, the team at Aesthetic Dental and Denture Clinic are on hand to take your call. Book an appointment and we’ll be more than happy to provide you with the right advice and a quote. Keep in mind we also provide payment plan options, so if you are budget-conscious, just ask!
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Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars, and they usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25. These molars, which are also called third molars, are in the back of the mouth and emerge out of the gums when a person is older.
People have different timelines for when their wisdom teeth will come in. It’s important to know that no two people are alike and that everyone grows and changes at their own pace. As such, some people can get their wisdom teeth sooner than others.
The most common wisdom tooth problems occur when they become impacted or fail to fully emerge from the gums. This can cause pain, inflammation, and overcrowding of the other teeth, leading to more serious issues such as periodontal disease and decay. In cases like these, a dentist may recommend extracting the wisdom teeth to avoid further development of any dental problems.
Despite their potential complications, wisdom teeth can also serve an important purpose. The extra molars increase the jawbone’s surface area and support other teeth that need protection or stabilisation.
It’s important to visit your dentist at Aesthetic Dental & Denture Clinic regularly so they can keep an eye on your developing wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth can cause a variety of issues if not managed properly. One of the biggest problems is space. If there is not enough room for the teeth to grow, they can become impacted or overcrowd other adjacent teeth, leading to pain or discomfort. In this case, wisdom teeth often need to be removed by an oral surgeon to prevent further problems down the line like infection or damage to neighbouring teeth.
In some cases, removing the wisdom teeth is recommended even if they aren’t causing any immediate issues. This is because leaving them in can lead to overcrowding of other teeth, which could lead to misalignments or dental decay over time. It’s worth noting however that everyone develops differently, so it’s impossible to know exactly when you’ll get your wisdom teeth or how troublesome they will be without consulting a doctor who can assess your unique situation.
Even though removing your wisdom teeth can sound scary, it is usually a relatively straightforward process with minimal downtime – so don’t let fear stop you from speaking with your dentist about any potential issues with your wisdom teeth. Give the team at Aesthetic Dental & Denture Clinic a call today to discuss any problems or concerns you might be having with your wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth removal is an oral surgery to remove one or more of your wisdom teeth from your mouth. This procedure is usually performed by an oral surgeon and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will examine your wisdom teeth and determine if extraction is necessary during a pre-operative consultation. The dentist will do an oral examination and take x-rays to check for potential complications from keeping them in. It will be determined whether they need to be removed; if so, surgery will be scheduled.
Depending on how many teeth are taken out, you may be given either local anaesthetic or general anaesthesia (for either partial or full sedation) during the process. The dentist will make incisions in your gums and/or jawbone to gain access to specific teeth, then use specialised tools to loosen those teeth from their supporting ligaments and bone so they can be extracted. When the teeth have been extracted, any necessary wounds may be closed with stitches that will disappear on their own within a few weeks.
The time it takes for the pain and swelling to go away after having wisdom teeth extracted varies from person to person, but is usually between 7 and 10 days. Keep drinking fluids and eating soft food, while avoiding anything too hot or spicy until you fully recover. In addition to refraining from alcohol and tobacco use for at least 48 hours following surgery, practising adequate wound care, such as gently cleaning with warm salt water 3-4 times a day, will hasten the healing process.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a generally risk-free process, but just like any other surgery, there are potential complications you should be aware of. Possible side effects of having your wisdom teeth extracted include:
• Damage to adjacent teeth and/or supporting bone structures
• Infection in the gums or the jawbone
• Pain, swelling, and bruising that persists past recovery time
• Nerve damage, resulting in numbness or tingling near the extraction site
• Sinus issues due to pressure changes when wisdom teeth are removed
Call your dentist right away if you suffer any of these issues following your procedure so they can advise you on how to proceed.
In addition, you should monitor the extraction site for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pain that doesn’t subside with at-home treatment (such as salt water mouth rinses). See your dentist immediately so they can determine if antibiotics are necessary to treat the illness.
While the removal of your wisdom teeth is not something to be taken lightly, it is typically possible to avoid serious consequences by having the procedure performed by trained experts. After surgery, monitoring your condition closely and getting medical assistance for anything out of the ordinary is important. If you have any concerns, call your dentist.
Generally, after a wisdom tooth has been extracted, it will not grow back. Bone and gum tissue tend to fill in empty tooth sockets, which makes further growth improbable.
The most significant risk associated with wisdom tooth removal is the potential for misalignment or shifting of other teeth if the jaw becomes overcrowded due to their presence. This can in turn lead to Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder, which can cause a wide range of symptoms such as facial pain, headaches, and even difficulty chewing.
Other risks include
• reduced ability to properly clean food particles out of back molars, which can increase your chances of developing cavities
• root resorption, where the roots of nearby teeth are weakened
• gum recession due to decreased protective tissue around neighbouring teeth
Although removing your wisdom teeth is generally considered safe, it’s still important to consider these potential long-term effects before proceeding with any surgery. If your dentist suggests taking out your wisdom teeth, you should listen to their advice.
It’s always better to be preventative than reactive when it comes to protecting yourself from any potential issues down the line. If you have any questions or concerns, call the team at Aesthetic Dental & Denture Clinic to discuss. We’ll be happy to assist.
