Wisdom Teeth
Adults have up to 32 teeth, of which four are wisdom teeth and these are the last to come through the gum. They are the one’s right at the back of the mouth and usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25 although sometimes they can appear in later years.
If there is enough room in the mouth the wisdom teeth will come through (erupt) in a useful position and there will only be minor discomfort as they erupt. However, wisdom teeth can cause problems if there is not enough room in the mouth, as the wisdom tooth erupts at an angle and gets stuck against the tooth in front; the dentist will describe this as ‘Impacted‘.
Why It Is Done
A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may come up in the future. When wisdom teeth come in, a number of problems can occur:
- Your jaw may not be large enough for them, and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums.
- The teeth are not able to fully erupt through the gum and are causing an infection in the surrounding tissue; this is known as Pericoronitis.
- There is decay present – wisdom teeth will often decay as it is very difficult to clean them as thoroughly as your other teeth.
- More serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such asinfection, damage to other teeth and bone, or a cyst.
- One or more of your wisdom teeth may come in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or to either side.
Our doctors will be able to assess whether there is sufficient room for the teeth to come through by taking an x- ray which will show the position of the root. Once the x-rays have been taken, our doctors will be able to tell how easy or difficult it will be to remove the tooth. If the tooth requires a minor surgery, our visiting Specialist Oral Surgeon will take care of your extraction.
What to expect post-operation
Following the removal of wisdom teeth, there is likely to be some discomfort. However, this will vary depending on how difficult it was to remove the tooth; it is not uncommon to experience some swelling for a few days. Our doctors will issue you Medical Leave for the next few days and prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risks of infection. A further dental appointment will be necessary for the dentist to check the healing process and remove any stitches.
For more instructions, please visit our Post-Operation Care page for Wisdom Teeth Extraction.
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