Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth or third molars typically erupt during the late teens or early 20s and can sometimes cause problems. By this stage the rest of the permanent teeth have erupted and the jaw is often too small to comfortably accommodate wisdom teeth. As a result they can try to erupt underneath existing teeth, causing them to become impacted, or they may partially erupt or even push sideways through the gums.

Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can create dental problems. Bacteria and food can become trapped around them, causing infections such as tooth decay or gum disease. If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or discomfort, it’s best to make an appointment to come and see us.

Dr Eshak will examine your mouth and may take dental x-rays of your wisdom teeth to see if they need extracting. If they do require removal then this is a straightforward procedure that can normally be carried out under local anaesthetic. Afterwards you may have some localised swelling for a couple of days, and you will need to take care not to dislodge the blood clots in the empty sockets as these aid healing. If you smoke, we recommend you quit for a few days as this can slow down the healing process.

Wisdom tooth removal is not generally necessary if they are fully erupted and healthy, and are positioned correctly in your jaw, but if you have pain or repeated infections then their extraction may be beneficial.