Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal.
Wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are misaligned they can position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars or be angled inward or outward. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can crowd or damage adjacent teeth, the jawbone, or nerves. Wisdom teeth that lean toward the second molars make those teeth more vulnerable to decay by entrapping plaque and debris.
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, you may also wish to have sedation if you are particularly anxious. To remove the wisdom tooth in more complex cases the dentist may need open up the gum tissue and remove any bone that is covering the tooth, so that the tooth can be removed easily. Sometimes it may be necessary to take the tooth out in smaller pieces. After the tooth is removed stitches may be required, these may dissolve over time or have to be removed by the dentist 7-10 days after the extraction. You will have a review appointment around 7 days after the procedure to review the healing of the socket.