Wisdom teeth are the last to push through the gum, emerging when an individual is in their late teens or early twenties. While it may seem useful to have an additional four teeth, many wisdom teeth cause problems and pain, and they may require removal to prevent damage.
In this blog, we’ll cover what wisdom teeth are, when they need to be taken out and what the process of extraction involves. We’ll also cover other treatment options if you don’t want to undergo removal.
What Are Wisdom Teeth and Their Purpose?
Pushing through the gum between the ages of 17 and 25, wisdom teeth are located in the very back of the mouth, near the jaw, on both sides of the upper and lower jaw.
They likely served a purpose in early human diets. Anthropologists believe that they may have helped our distant ancestors to chew coarse leaves, raw meat, nuts and roots. However, as modern diets have since evolved, wisdom teeth have become largely unnecessary. In fact, in a lot of cases, they often cause problems instead.
Signs Indicating the Need for Removal
One of the big issues with wisdom teeth is that they often emerge into an overcrowded mouth and/or fail to fit in properly. In particular, some wisdom teeth become impacted. This occurs when there isn’t enough room for the wisdom tooth to push through the gum and it ends up colliding with the adjacent molar. This problem is aggravated by the fact that wisdom teeth often grow at abnormal angles, such as parallel to the jaw, meaning they are only partially visible in the gum.
This can cause a variety of problems. One big issue is that wisdom teeth are often difficult to clean, which increases the risk of infection, especially pericoronitis (inflammation around the gum), or decay. Additionally, impacted and partially grown teeth may become painful or swell up. Impacted wisdom teeth may also damage the teeth surrounding them.
For these reasons, many dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth that are at risk of causing these issues.
The Wisdom Teeth Removal Process
The wisdom tooth removal process often varies in complexity depending on the angle of the tooth and whether it is impacted.
The process typically begins with the dentist numbing the surgical area. This is typically done via an injection into the gum around the wisdom tooth. There’s also the option of inhaled minimal sedation (nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”), oral sedation (pill-based sedation) and IV sedation (intravenous delivery). For complex cases that take place in a hospital, you may be offered a general anaesthetic, placing you under general anaesthesia.
Then, if your wisdom tooth hasn’t pushed through the gum fully, an incision may be made into the gum. In some cases, there may still be bone covering the tooth and this will need to be removed. This will allow the dentist to access your tooth.
The dentist will then loosen the tooth in order to remove it. However, if it is impacted, it may not be able to be removed in one piece. If this is the case, your dentist will use specialised dental instruments to cut the tooth into smaller chunks to facilitate its removal.
Once the tooth is fully removed, your dentist will use dissolvable stitches to stitch the gum back together.
Recovery and Aftercare Tips
Recovery time from wisdom tooth removal may take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks. To ensure smooth healing, your dentist will give you full aftercare instructions.
Some general instructions include:
- Avoid strenuous activity for the first few days.
- Eat soft foods and avoid sticky or crunchy foods for the first few days.
- Avoid sucking or touching the extraction site as this may dislodge the blood clot. This blood clot is essential to recovery and, without it, you may experience a painful syndrome known as dry socket.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm (not hot) salt water after eating for the first 24 hours.
- Avoid alcohol, smoking or hot drinks for the first 24-48 hours.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers and any antibiotics you have been prescribed.
Risks of Delaying Removal
Delaying wisdom tooth extraction can lead to infection, damage to surrounding teeth, decay and potential nerve damage. Impaction can have particularly nasty consequences, leading to pain and other complications. Additionally, the roots of your wisdom teeth may mature, increasing the complexity and risks of removal.
Alternatives to Full Extraction
There are some alternatives to the full removal of a wisdom tooth.
A coronectomy involves removing only the crown of the tooth, leaving the root in place. It may be considered when there is a risk to the nerves around the roots of the tooth.
In cases of damage or decay, root canal therapy may be an option. This removes the infected pulp and seals the tooth.
Not all cases qualify for these alternatives so it’s best to seek professional advice from your dentist.
Age Considerations for Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is often recommended for those between the ages of 16 and 25. This is when the roots are still developing but impaction is less likely.
Cost and Insurance Factors
When it comes to the cost of removing wisdom teeth, this varies depending on case complexity and the clinic you choose. A fully erupted wisdom tooth removal may come to $190–$260 a tooth, whereas a complex case (such as impacted teeth) can cost $300–$600 per tooth.
Many insurance providers offer full or partial coverage for wisdom tooth procedures. However, this will depend on the complexity of the case and each specific policy.
Preventative Measures and Monitoring
If a wisdom tooth isn’t causing any problems, it may not need to be removed. In these cases, monitoring the tooth is recommended. Maintain good oral hygiene, keeping the wisdom tooth and area around it clean, and keep watch for pain or swelling.
Need a Wisdom Tooth Removed?
My Family Dental’s six clinics, spread across Queensland (Townsville, Bohle Plains, Bowen, Emerald, Ingham, and Innisfail), offer professional and friendly wisdom tooth removal.
Book a consultation today to get expert advice on wisdom teeth removal.
