Oral Surgery
Extracting Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth are third molars, which usually appear at the back of the mouth between the ages of 16 and 24, although they can appear earlier or later than this. Commonly the wisdom teeth, in an attempt to erupt, will be prevented in doing so by the teeth in front. As such, the wisdom teeth will remain partially or completely below the line of the gum (also called impaction). This can lead to an infection around the wisdom tooth or lead problems with adjacent teeth.
If your wisdom teeth are causing pain or your dentist thinks they may cause problems in the future, your dentist will recommend that they are extracted. Your dentist will take x-rays of your mouth to check the exact position of the teeth. Extracting wisdom teeth can be quite a difficult procedure and anaesthesia will be required. A local anaesthetic is normally enough so that only the area around the tooth is numbed and you are still awake. The procedure requires the gum around the tooth to be lifted back and the bone around the tooth to be selectively removed to allow the wisdom tooth to be removed. If your dentist expects the extraction to be more difficult or painful, sedation will be recommended.
After Wisdom Teeth Have Been Removed: There may be some slight discomfort for a few days after the extraction, and there is also likely to be some swelling. It is essential that you follow your dentist’s advice about caring for your mouth after the extraction, to ensure it heals quickly and you avoid infection. It is best to relax, and not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after the surgery. We will generally ask you to come back after a week or so, to check that everything is healing correctly.