TOOTH EXTRACTION AND WISDOM TEETH
Our preference is always to preserve your natural teeth whenever they can be predictably restored and maintained.
However, there are circumstances where removing a tooth is the most appropriate treatment. This may be necessary when a tooth is severely damaged, extensively decayed, fractured, infected or otherwise cannot be predictably restored.
Before recommending an extraction, we assess the tooth carefully and discuss the available treatment options with you.
If a tooth does need to be removed, we can also discuss options for replacing it, including dental implants, bridges or dentures where appropriate.
What happens after an extraction?
Following an extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket as part of the normal healing process.
We will provide you with instructions on how to care for the area and what to expect during recovery.
The healing time varies depending on the tooth, the complexity of the extraction and your individual circumstances.
If the extracted tooth needs to be replaced, we can discuss the most appropriate options once the area has healed sufficiently.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop and usually appear during the late teenage years or early adulthood.
Some wisdom teeth erupt normally and cause no problems. Others may become partially erupted, impacted or difficult to clean and can lead to problems with the surrounding teeth and gums.
Why can wisdom teeth cause problems?
Wisdom teeth may be associated with:
Pain or discomfort
Inflammation or infection of the surrounding gum
Difficulty cleaning the area
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Damage to neighbouring teeth
Cysts or other changes around an impacted tooth
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. If a wisdom tooth is healthy, functional and can be kept clean, monitoring may be appropriate.
When should wisdom teeth be removed?
Removal may be recommended when a wisdom tooth is causing recurrent infection, significant decay, damage to a neighbouring tooth or other dental problems.
An examination and appropriate X-rays allow us to assess the position of the wisdom teeth and determine whether treatment is required.
Symptoms to look out for
Contact us if you experience:
Pain or swelling at the back of the mouth
Difficulty opening your mouth
Swelling of the gum around a wisdom tooth
Difficulty chewing
Bad taste or discharge from around the tooth
Facial swelling
If you develop significant facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing, urgent medical attention is required.
Our aim is to recommend removal only when there is a clear clinical reason and to discuss the procedure and alternatives with you beforehand.