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.