Wisdom Tooth Extraction

At some point in their lives, most patients will need to have at least of their wisdom teeth removed due to impaction or infection. Its preferable to remove the problematic wisdom teeth earlier rather than later, to ensure maximum healing.

What are wisdom teeth?

Most people have three sets of molars that erupt over the course of their childhood and adolescence; the six year molars, twelve year molars, and the third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, which can erupt at any time after the age of 17.

Who needs to have their wisdom teeth removed?

For many patients, wisdom teeth do not erupt properly. If they are impacted, they can crowd the healthy teeth and cause infection or even the loss of other teeth. In fact, it’s estimated that 85% of patients will need to have their wisdom teeth removed at some point.

What are the symptoms of wisdom tooth impaction?

Infections, headaches, pain/stiffness/ swelling in the gums or jaw. If you still have your wisdom teeth and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your dentist. Your dentist will likely have digital X-rays done to determine the position that the wisdom teeth are in.

Some people do not experience any symptoms associated with wisdom teeth eruption. However, while surgeries performed later in life are still effective, healing may be slower, and the risk of complications may be slightly higher. Therefore, it is in the patient’s best interest to have the problematic wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible.

Wisdom teeth extraction is performed under local or general anesthetic and does not require an overnight stay. The surgery is performed in an environment of optimum safety, with modern monitoring equipment and staff who are experienced in anesthesia techniques.