Wisdom Teeth Removal at St. Leonards Green Dental
Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can be the source of a number of oral health woes. The pressure they cause can push adjacent teeth and your overall smile out of alignment. Plus, their location makes third molars extremely difficult to clean, increasing their risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Having you or your teen’s wisdom teeth removed can help to preserve the best oral health in the future.
In-House Oral Surgery
Instead of referring our patients to an off-site surgery centre for their wisdom tooth removal, your procedure is completed in-house. Each month, a visiting oral surgeon comes to our practice to provide specialist treatments for our patients who require more than a routine tooth extraction.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Come In?
Wisdom teeth started developing during childhood. We can usually see the small tooth buds on some of your child’s earliest dental X-rays. By their mid-teen years, the third molars will usually start to erupt. Wisdom teeth typically continue growing through your mid to late twenties.
If we can tell that their location and position will cause a potential challenge, we may recommend having them removed before symptoms of pain or swelling start to exist.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Come In?
Most of the time, wisdom teeth need to be removed because they are either becoming infected or starting to damage the teeth next to them. Since third molars are mostly non-functional, removing them doesn’t have any negative impact on the overall health of your smile. Instead, it’s almost always beneficial.
Due to the pressure that wisdom teeth cause and the angle they form in the bone, they can lead to several common complications, including
Your Wisdom Tooth Evaluation
To determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed, we’ll carefully assess the area around them. A full-mouth panoramic X-ray will show us areas such as bone and nerve structure around the roots of your teeth. If the tooth is coming in at an angle, has a large cyst around it or doesn’t have enough room to come in, then an extraction may be needed.
Planning for Your Oral Surgery
Before your appointment at St. Leonards Green Dental, plan to fill any prescriptions and stock your pantry with soft foods (such as gelatine and pudding). Have a friend or family member drive you to and from your surgery, if you’re taking any pain medication or sedated. Wear layered, loose clothing that’s comfortable and can be adjusted to the room temperature.
We’ll provide you with special instructions on surgical site care and follow-ups to ensure proper healing. If any non-dissolvable sutures are needed, we will see you back about a week or two after the extraction to remove them.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY
Do you suspect that you have an impacted wisdom tooth? Contact us today to request an exam and X-ray for the answers you need.
* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.