Wisdom Teeth

We following NICE guidelines with regards to wisdom tooth extractions. If you have repeated or severe infections around your wisdom teeth we can justify removing them, even if they have only come partially through the gum.

Thankfully having wisdom teeth removed is quite low risk.

There are nerves that gives you feeling to your chin, lip and tongue which can sit closely around wisdom teeth and the roots.

If the tooth is close to these nerves is a small chance numbness or altered feeling, usually this is temporary, but rarely it can be permanent. Before taking wisdom teeth out, this nerve is assessed with x-rays so that we can look after you safely.

If the wisdom tooth is sitting intimately with the nerve, we can carry out a ‘coronectomy’ which involves removing the top portion of the tooth and leave the root in order to protect the nerve.

Thankfully, no! There is no pain during the procedure. Nobody likes having a tooth removed, especially a wisdom tooth.

We will ensure you are completely numb before the tooth is removed. There can be a feeling of pressure as the tooth is extracted, but no sharp pain.

Only if they are causing a problem or a problem on the tooth in front of them.

As long as there is no dental disease in the wisdom tooth, surrounding teeth or bordering region, there is no adverse threats in leaving them as they are as long as good oral hygiene is preserved. It is consequently vital to consistently go to the dental professional to make certain that the wisdom teeth remain in health in addition to the rest of the mouth.

Wisdom teeth usually appear in late teens or early twenties. However, they can continue to come through your gum throughout life.

(The oldest person I have treated whose wisdom tooth came through the gum and needed to be removed was 83!)

There is often limited space for wisdom teeth to come through the gum. This causes food and debris to accumulate around it and cause soreness or infection in the gum. This can lead to pain and swelling.

At Oak Hill Dental we charge £250 – £450 based on complexity. This will include your full mouth x-ray and cone beam CT scan if required.

After wisdom tooth extraction we would recommend over the counter painkillers taken ‘by the clock’. This for most patients can be paracetamol and ibuprofen as long as you are able to take them safely.