Tooth Extraction
When and in which cases should wisdom teeth be removed?
Wisdom teeth are the teeth at the very back of the mouth. Because they sit in an area that is hard to reach and see, they can be more difficult to brush and care for than other teeth. When they are not brushed properly, wisdom teeth decay easily, leading to pain and bad breath.
In some cases, wisdom teeth cannot erupt because there is not enough room in the jaw. They may remain fully impacted (lying beneath both the gum and the jawbone, completely invisible in the mouth), or they may stay partially impacted under the gum while still being exposed to the mouth. In that case, food gets trapped and builds up where the tooth breaks through the gum, causing infection. This condition, which causes swelling and redness of the gum around the wisdom tooth, severe pain radiating to the neck and ear, swollen lymph nodes, and pain when opening the mouth or swallowing, is called pericoronitis.
Fully impacted wisdom teeth can push against the teeth in front of them and cause crowding (crooked teeth).
They can also press on the neighbouring tooth and cause it to decay. Impacted wisdom teeth that go unnoticed for many years can lead to cysts that grow to a large size within the jaw, causing serious problems. Even if they cause no problems, wisdom teeth may need to be removed as part of orthodontic treatment so that the other teeth can be properly aligned. For these reasons, wisdom teeth may need to be extracted under local anaesthesia, numbing only the area where the tooth is located.
Wisdom tooth extraction should be performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A healthy wisdom tooth that has erupted in the correct position does not need to be removed.
Besides wisdom teeth, canines and premolars can sometimes remain impacted as well. If it is determined that they cannot be brought into position orthodontically (with braces), they also need to be removed surgically.
On the first day after the extraction, do not spit, brush your teeth, rinse vigorously, use a straw or gargle. For the first two days, eat lukewarm, smooth and soft foods. After every meal and each time you brush, use the antiseptic mouthwash recommended by your doctor. Take your painkillers, and antibiotics if prescribed, regularly. Do not smoke for the first 48 hours, as this will interfere with healing.
After a quick and properly performed procedure, there is usually little pain, and any discomfort is easily controlled with mild painkillers.
Swelling of the cheek varies greatly depending on the tooth and from person to person. To minimise swelling, apply a cold compress (ice pack) to the cheek for the first 24 hours. Mild swelling is normal and is part of the healing process.
An impacted tooth is a tooth that has failed to erupt when it should have and remains trapped beneath the gum or bone.
Wisdom teeth, canines and premolars can all become impacted. If it is determined that they cannot be brought into position orthodontically (with braces), they need to be surgically removed by oral surgeons in the same way.
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth in the mouth. Because they sit in an area that is hard to reach and see, they can be more difficult to brush and care for than other teeth. When they are not brushed properly, wisdom teeth decay easily, leading to toothache and bad breath.
In some cases, wisdom teeth cannot erupt because there is not enough room in the jaws. They may remain fully impacted (lying beneath both the gum and the jawbone, completely invisible in the mouth), or they may stay partially impacted under the gum while still being exposed to the mouth. In that case, food gets trapped and builds up where the tooth breaks through the gum, causing infection. This condition, which causes swelling and redness of the gum around the wisdom tooth, severe pain radiating to the neck and ear, swollen lymph nodes, and pain when opening the mouth or swallowing, is called pericoronitis.
Fully impacted wisdom teeth can push against the teeth in front of them and cause crowding (crooked teeth). They can also press on the neighbouring tooth and cause it to decay. Impacted wisdom teeth that go unnoticed for many years can lead to cysts that grow to a large size within the jaw, causing serious problems.
Even if they cause no problems, wisdom teeth may need to be removed as part of orthodontic treatment so that the other teeth can be properly aligned. For these reasons, wisdom teeth may need to be extracted under local anaesthesia, numbing only the area where the tooth is located.
On the first day after the extraction, do not spit, brush your teeth, rinse vigorously, use a straw or gargle. For the first two days, eat lukewarm, smooth and soft foods. After every meal and each time you brush, use the antiseptic mouthwash recommended by your doctor. Take your painkillers, and antibiotics if prescribed, regularly. Do not smoke for the first 48 hours, as this will interfere with healing.
After a quick and properly performed procedure, there is usually little pain, and any discomfort is easily controlled with mild painkillers.
Swelling of the cheek varies greatly depending on the tooth and from person to person. To minimise swelling, apply a cold compress (ice pack) to the cheek for the first 24 hours. Mild swelling is normal and is a necessary part of healing.