Slievemore Dental
Wisdom Teeth Removal & Recovery
Wisdom teeth are undoubtedly the most troublesome teeth we have. They are our third set of molars and are the last ones to come through, usually when we are in our late teens, early 20s or even older. It’s very common for there to be insufficient room in our mouths for our wisdom teeth, which is why they are so prone to becoming stuck, or impacted.
If you are having problems with your wisdom tooth, we will arrange to see you. We will guide you through the entire process and discuss all the treatment options including removal. If we decide for removal, we will give you a set of detailed after care instructions allowing you to recover as fast as possible. Your comfort is our priority. Speak to our team today to find out more.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom tooth pain can be quite intense, and is typically a throbbing ache and pressure at the back of the mouth or jaw.
Other Associated Symptoms:
Swollen gums
Ear pain
Jaw pain
Sore throats
Headache
Bad breath
Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
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Mesial Impaction
Mesial impactions are when the tooth’s crown is angled towards the front of the mouth, pressing against the back teeth.
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Distal Impaction
Distal impactions are when the tooth’s crown is angled towards the back of the mouth.
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Vertical Impaction
Vertical impaction is when the wisdom tooth’s crown is impacted by bone or soft tissue or both.
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
FAQs on Wisdom Tooth Removal
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If the wisdom tooth has not fully erupted into the mouth it is often necessary to make a cut in the gum over the tooth. Sometimes it is also necessary to remove some bone surrounding the wisdom tooth. The tooth may then need to be cut to remove it. Once removed, the gum is put back into place with stitches. The stitches used are dissolvable and can take up to two weeks to disappear.
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This varies case to case and depends on the angle of the tooth, how deep it is buried and any associated issues such as cysts. Our dentists will discuss all these things and provide you with relevant information following your initial assessment.
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It is likely that there will be some discomfort and swelling both on the inside and outside of your mouth after surgery. This is usually worse for the first three days but it may take up to two weeks before all the soreness goes. You may also find that your jaw is stiff and may not be able to open fully. You will need to eat a soft diet for a week or so. There may be some bruising of the skin of your face that can take up to a fortnight to fade away. The application of an ice pack during the first 24 hours post-operatively may help. Do not apply the ice pack directly to your skin - wrap the ice pack in a towel first.
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We use local anaesthetic to numb the area prior to wisdom tooth removal for a pain free procedure. If you are particularly anxious we can offer alternative methods including sedation.
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It is important to keep the extraction sites as clean as possible for the first few weeks after surgery. It may be difficult to clean your teeth around the sites of the extraction because it is sore and if this is the case it is best to keep the area free from food debris by gently rinsing with a mouthwash or warm salt water (dissolve a flat teaspoon of kitchen salt in a cup of warm water) commencing on the day after surgery.
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Surgical removal of wisdom teeth usually requires at least a day or two off work. Our dentists will provide you with a sick note unique to each case and person.
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Our dentists have trained both nationally and internationally and specialise in wisdom tooth removal. We aim to provide the most advanced care using modern techniques to provide the highest standard of care.
