Wisdom Teeth

Relieving any pain and further complications with wisdom teeth extractions

For a great number of us, our wisdom teeth grow without any issues. Sometimes they can start to appear from the age of eighteen onwards, sometimes they can even start to grow deep into our adult years. For some people, their wisdom teeth don’t grow at all.

Because our teeth last far longer than they used thanks to modern oral hygiene, wisdom teeth are no longer as necessary as they once were. Wisdom teeth function as a replacement for lost molars, but when all our teeth are still thriving, there ends up not being enough room to accommodate the new teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth can end up being more trouble than they are worth.

As problems can sometimes develop silently without your knowledge, at TwentyOneDental we recommend routine dental examinations to evaluate problems before they occur.

What problems can wisdom teeth cause?

Wisdom teeth can sometimes grow in a way that causes them to become impacted. Rather than growing up and out of the gum, they grow into the neighbouring teeth. Using x-rays, we can determine the path that your growing wisdom teeth are taking. If we believe that they will become impacted or cause any issues, we will work to remove them. Impacted wisdom teeth not only can cause pain, but they can become infected and cause lasting damage to your other teeth and jaw.

Wisdom teeth that don’t come through the gum fully are breeding grounds for bacteria and can lead to tooth decay. Trapped food or plaque can also cause infection of the overlying gum. This can result in pain and swelling and can often affect the neighbouring teeth.

How do we remove wisdom teeth at TwentyOneDental?

At TwentyOneDental, being a specialist referral centre we offer consultant-led oral surgery at our practice. Any extractions that you need, whether wisdom teeth or otherwise, will be performed expertly, precisely and gently.

Sedation

We completely understand that the prospect of any surgery is daunting which is why we offer sedation for nervous patients. Our dedicated sedation surgeon provides absolute patient assurance with their knowledge, understanding and above all total experience to providing such support to our patients. In addition, we have a dedicated relaxation suite to accommodate our patients who receive sedation, in a warmly lit suite with soft music whilst supported by our sedation team at all times, until recovery. A choice of teas and a light meal is offered pre-departure.

Find out more

Simple extractions

If the wisdom tooth has fully emerged and there are no complications reaching it, we can remove the tooth using dental forceps. We first numb the area with a local anaesthetic and ease the tooth out of the socket, doing our best to keep it intact as we do. With a simple extraction, we often don’t need to use stitches as the gum will naturally heal up nicely.

Surgical extractions

Sometimes, wisdom teeth extraction can be a bit more complicated especially if it has impacted or become infected. In these cases, we will need to use oral surgery to remove the tooth. As wisdom teeth are significantly larger than your other teeth, it is often easier to remove the tooth in parts. Once we have removed the tooth, we use stitches to patch up the gum and leave a dressing in place.

Aftercare

For a simple extraction, we don’t need stitches as the gum will naturally heal on its own without help. A blood clot will form in the socket and heal quickly. For surgical extractions, we will use stitches which we will either need to see you to remove them or will dissolve on their own.

In some cases, the blood clot can become dislodged. This is called a dry socket. If this happens, get in touch. Food debris can become stuck in a dry socket and be a perfect place for bacteria to develop. We will clean out the socket and apply a dressing to keep it clear while your gum heals on its own.

FAQs

Do wisdom teeth have to be removed?

We only remove wisdom teeth if we foresee potential issues arising from x-rays or if they are already a problem. Most of the time, wisdom teeth grow without incident and last just as long as your other teeth.

Do wisdom teeth extractions hurt?

We always use local anaesthetic to numb the area. It will last after the treatment and when it starts to wear off, you may feel some discomfort. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help manage any pain you feel after the treatment. If it continues to hurt for a few days, get in touch.

Do wisdom teeth need to be replaced?

No. Wisdom teeth act as a natural back-up for your existing teeth. Once they are gone, your existing teeth are more than up for the job.

Why have my wisdom teeth not grown?

It is common for people to never grow their wisdom teeth. As our teeth last much longer now due to modern oral hygiene practices and fluoride toothpaste, they aren’t necessary.

How many appointments does it take to remove wisdom teeth?

It will depend on the complexity of your case. We may need more than one appointment to first manage any infections or cysts that have built up around an impacted wisdom tooth. Before your treatment, we will provide a plan so you know exactly what appointments you have and the purpose for each.

Are wisdom teeth extractions an emergency?

If you are in severe pain because of impacting wisdom teeth, we will qualify it as an emergency - especially if there are signs of an infection.

Does my insurance cover wisdom teeth extractions?

It should as extractions count as essential treatment. If you are unsure, contact your insurance provider.

Discover our results

We look forward to welcoming you into our friendly clinic

book online