Wisdom Tooth Removal

 

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One of the most commonly performed oral surgery procedure in the UK, this procedure is needed when there is insufficient space for the third molar teeth to erupt in the correct position.  Wisdom teeth can emerge at an unusual angle, get impacted and can cause damage to the tooth in front of them.  It is not always necessary to remove wisdom teeth but if you experience severe pain or discomfort associated with these teeth you should speak to your dentist to see if this treatment is right for you

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WHAT TO EXPECT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What symptoms might suggest I have a problematic wisdom tooth?

If you have a problematic wisdom tooth you may experience red, swollen, tender and/or bleeding gums around the tooth, you may also experience pain and swelling around the jaw and you may find it difficult to open your mouth.  You may experience an unpleasant taste in your mouth and you may notice bad breath.

Why does my wisdom tooth need to be removed?

Wisdom teeth only need to be removed if they are causing a problem.  Problems are usually associated with these teeth emerging at an unusual angle, pushing up against the adjacent tooth.  Partially erupted wisdom teeth can be difficult to keep clean and may be more prone to decay and gum disease.  All of these issues can cause pain, discomfort and sometimes an uncomfortable infection in the bone around the tooth can develop causing pain and swelling.  This may come and go and if severe might indicate the need for tooth removal.

How will you remove my wisdom tooth?

The first step in the procedure will be to have a local anaesthetic to effectively numb the area, keeping you comfortable throughout.  The procedure you have will depend upon the complexity of your case and the position of the tooth.  In some cases it will be necessary to open up the gum to access the tooth.  On average the whole procedure usually takes around 30minutes.
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WHAT SORT OF ANAESTHETIC WILL I NEED FOR MY WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL?

The majority of procedures can be carried out under local anaesthetic, the same type of anaesthetic used for routine dental procedure such as a filling.  In extremely complex cases, where access is difficult or the tooth is close to the nerve, it may be necessary to send you to hospital to have the treatment completed under general anaesthetic (put you to sleep).

Will the procedure hurt?

I am nervous about dental procedures, what can be done?

What is the recovery period following wisdom tooth removal?

Following wisdom tooth removal, it is normal to experience some swelling and minor discomfort for the first few days.  There may be some bruising of the jaw causing soreness & stiffness for around 7-10 days.  If the procedure was very complicated it is likely you will experience some pain for a few days.  Any pain or discomfort should be manageable with over the counter-analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, in severely complicated cases we may recommend a stronger pain killer.  Most people find they can return to their normal daily activities within 24-48 hours.  We always recommend taking it easy for the first 24 hours, avoiding strenuous activity and eating a soft diet.

Are there any post-operative symptoms I should be concerned about?

Following your procedure you will be given post-operative instructions, both verbally from your surgeon and nurse and in writing for you to take away. The immediate concern is excessive bleeding, your surgeon will ensure any bleeding is controlled before discharging you however if bleeding occurs at a later stage you should contact us for immediate advice.  Sudden onset of severe pain and swelling in the days following the procedure should also be reported to your surgeon.

What if I don't have my wisdom tooth removed?

​Depending upon the reason for tooth removal you may experience repeated episodes of pain, swelling and discomfort, jaw pain and possibly complications with adjacent teeth.  If you have been told that you need to have a tooth removed but don't agree with the diagnosis it is advisable to get a second opinion to determine the best course of action.  It is never a good idea to just hope the problem will go away on it's own as this is rarely a realistic outcome and you may find yourself in a worse position.

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY...

The whole team was amazing and Sami was so calm which made me feel so much better whilst being there. Would recommend to anyone and will definitely be going back there. Thank you all.

I chose Smilekind for a tooth extraction under sedation after a bad experience at my usual dentists. The whole team were lovely, knowledgeable and professional. The procedure only took half an hour from start to finish, the sedation was brilliant and the after care has been reassuring. I can’t praise them enough.

I want to say a big thank you to SmileKind! They're pure professionals! I had wisdom tooth extraction surgeon, which they did in less than 30 minutes and it wasn't painful. Even though I had a bit complicated healing process they invited me to come second time and took care of me, now it's all good!

I had all four wisdom teeth extracted - I was made to feel at ease and the procedure was quick and the entire staff were professional and knowledgeable! I’m very happy with the whole process.

Meet Your Surgeon

Mr Sami Stagnell
BDS MFDS(RCSEd) MSc MFGDP(UK) AKC MOralSurg(RCSEng)

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