Wisdom Teeth Removal

What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molar teeth, also known by dentists as “eights” because of their position in the mouth. They are the last of the permanent teeth to develop.

Why do Wisdom Teeth not come up fully?
Because the wisdom teeth are the last to develop and the last to come up (erupt) and because our jaws are often not large enough for all our teeth, there is not enough space for them. They may develop in an abnormal position or in an abnormal alignment.

What does Impacted mean?
Impacted means the tooth is jammed against another tooth or against the jawbone.

Is this why I can see only part or none of my Wisdom Teeth?
Yes! In addition to being deeply situated, they are often covered by a flap or tag of gum, known as an operculum.

Does this cause Trouble?
The space between the wisdom tooth and the flap of gum is difficult to clean. Food and other debris known as plaque accumulates and encourages bacterial growth. This may result in several different problems such as: inflammation of the gum over or around the wisdom tooth (pericoronitis) which may be quite severe; decay (caries) in the wisdom tooth or in the tooth in front; and gum disease (periodontitis) in the adjacent teeth. Rarely, cysts may develop in relation to buried wisdom teeth.

Must all Wisdom Teeth be removed?
No! Each tooth should be assessed individually and judged on its own merits. Removal of wisdom teeth is an operation and, like every other operation, has side-effects and complications and usually involves the placement of one or more sutures (stitches).

What are the Side-Effects?
These occur after every operation to some degree. Soreness, swelling and stiffness of the jaw with a restricted mouth opening usually clear up by about a week, or so, after the operation. Some bleeding during the operation is inevitable but is rarely severe or troublesome.

What are the Complications?
These are much less common but do occur from time to time. Because the nerve to your lip runs through your jaw and because the nerve to your tongue lies on your jaw near the wisdom tooth these are at risk of being damaged. This may produce alteration in the feeling in the lip or tongue. This may be felt as numbness (anaesthesia) or as “pins and needles” (paraesthesia). It does not involve any paralysis of the lip or tongue. It can be permanent but is very rare.

Does every Wisdom Tooth removal carry the same risk?
No! It depends on the type and difficulty of the impaction and other factors. The figures below are based on several studies and give some idea of the frequency.
Sensory alteration in the tongue: 1:200 (0.5%)
Sensory alteration in the lip: 1:250 (0.4%)
The staff will be happy to discuss this further with you and will try to answer any queries you may have.

The decision to proceed with removal of your wisdom tooth (or teeth) can only be made by you. You do not have to make up your mind immediately.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

What are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the third molar teeth, also known by dentists as “eights” because of their position in the mouth. They are the last of the permanent teeth to develop.

Why do Wisdom Teeth not come up fully? Because the wisdom teeth are the last to develop and the last to come up (erupt) and because our jaws are often not large enough for all our teeth, there is not enough space for them. They may develop in an abnormal position or in an abnormal alignment.

What does Impacted mean? Impacted means the tooth is jammed against another tooth or against the jawbone.

Is this why I can see only part or none of my Wisdom Teeth? Yes! In addition to being deeply situated, they are often covered by a flap or tag of gum, known as an operculum.

Must all Wisdom Teeth be removed? No! Each tooth should be assessed individually and judged on its own merits. Removal of wisdom teeth is an operation and, like every other operation, has side-effects and complications and usually involves the placement of one or more sutures (stitches).

What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molar teeth, also known by dentists as “eights” because of their position in the mouth. They are the last of the permanent teeth to develop.

Why do Wisdom Teeth not come up fully?
Because the wisdom teeth are the last to develop and the last to come up (erupt) and because our jaws are often not large enough for all our teeth, there is not enough space for them. They may develop in an abnormal position or in an abnormal alignment.

What does Impacted mean?
Impacted means the tooth is jammed against another tooth or against the jawbone.

Is this why I can see only part or none of my Wisdom Teeth?
Yes! In addition to being deeply situated, they are often covered by a flap or tag of gum, known as an operculum.

Must all Wisdom Teeth be removed?
No! Each tooth should be assessed individually and judged on its own merits. Removal of wisdom teeth is an operation and, like every other operation, has side-effects and complications and usually involves the placement of one or more sutures (stitches).