Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars at the very back of the mouth. They usually begin to come in between the late teens and mid-twenties, long after the rest of the adult teeth are in place.

Many jaws do not have enough room for them. A wisdom tooth that cannot fully emerge is called impacted. It may be tilted toward the neighbouring molar, lying on its side, trapped beneath bone, or only partly through the gum. Some people never develop wisdom teeth at all, while others have them come in straight and healthy.

Wisdom teeth are often assessed in the late teens or early twenties. At that stage the roots are usually not fully formed and the surrounding bone tends to be less dense, which can make removal more straightforward and healing quicker for many people.

This does not mean everyone should have their wisdom teeth removed early. It simply means a timely assessment gives you and your dentist more information to make a decision, rather than waiting until a problem develops.

If you feel anxious about the procedure, let us know. For extensive treatment or significant anxiety, general anesthesia may be discussed, although not every patient or procedure is a candidate.

Some swelling and discomfort are normal and often peak around the second or third day. Cold compresses on the cheek, soft foods, rest, and pain relief as directed by your dentist can help. For the first few days, avoid smoking, drinking through a straw, and forceful spitting, as these can disturb the blood clot and lead to dry socket. Gentle warm salt water rinses are usually started after the first 24 hours.

Many people return to their normal routine within a few days, while the socket itself continues to heal over the following weeks. Contact us if you have heavy bleeding that does not ease with pressure, a fever, or pain that worsens after the third day.