What is a wisdom tooth?

These are your 3rd molars. Which erupt between the age of 18-21.

Why do I need my wisdom tooth out?

Most people may not need to have their wisdom teeth out. Only if they start to give any discomfort should you consider their removal.

What sort of problems can I get from wisdom teeth?

Most of the times none. However, in a small number of patients, wisdom teeth don’t erupt and come through properly, and may start to cause an infection. If so it can be very painful and you may experience pains in your jaw, throat, ear and head as well as your teeth. A course of antibiotics will usually be given to control the infection and an option of their removal will be considered.

Why do these problems arise?

As wisdom teeth come through, sometimes there may not be enough space in the jaws to accommodate them. Hence, they gat stuck in the jaw (impaction). Occasionally, wisdom teeth are only able to come through half way and this results in a piece of gum or skin (opeculum) to overly the wisdom tooth. This makes it very hard to clean around the wisdom tooth and the food trapping causes an infection known as a ‘pericoronitis’.

When can I have them removed if they start giving me trouble?

Once the infection has been cleared away, we can arrange to have your wisdom teeth out. They can either be taken out at the practice or at the hospital. There may be a long waiting list at the hospital.

Are there any complications with taking wisdom teeth out?

Yes. Especially with the lower wisdom teeth. The roots of your lower wisdom teeth lie very close to a nerve that sits directly under the wisdom tooth. This nerve is called the Inferior Dental Nerve (I.D. Nerve) and gives feeling to the teeth on the same side as well as the gums and lips. The lingual nerve, which sits on the other side also is at risk, and this nerve gives feeling to the inside gums and tongue on the same side of your bottom teeth. There is a 1-3 % chance that these nerves can be damaged during routine wisdom tooth extractions. The chance of the nerve being damaged temporarily is 5% and permanently is 0.5%. So in fact, these risks are very low. Your dentist will give you a full assessment and discuss your individual risks.

You may need a couple of stitches once the wisdom tooth has been taken out. These stay in for 1 week.

After the procedure, the gum will be very sore for about 1 week. You may experience swelling and tenderness and limited opening of the mouth. If you don’t follow the dentist’s advice then you may develop an infection.

See the section on extraction advice for further information

Can I have the procedure done under sedation?

Absolutely. Ask the dentist for further advice or see the section on sedation

What alternative is there to having the wisdom tooth taken out?

The NICE (National Institute of Clinical Dentistry) advises that if a wisdom tooth becomes problematic on more than one occasion you should ideally have them removed. However, the following other options are also available:

• Deep Scaling – To clean out the pocket or under the extra skin which causes the infection
• Gum Surgery – In an attempt to remodel the gum around a wisdom tooth to prevent food trapping within the pocket or extra skin
• Home Care – Soft bristled toothbrush to gently massage the area to prevent food trapping and keeping the area clean – mouthwashes also help

The alternative procedures above may cause a similar re-infection and discomfort in the future.