Wisdom Teeth Extractions
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A wisdom tooth or third molar is one of the three molars in human teeth which usually start to come through at the back of our gums at each corner of jaw in late teens and early twenties. By this time, the other 28 adult teeth are usually in place, so there isn’t always enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow properly so they may become impacted and require removal.
We are now offering an Advanced Dentistry Referral Service from dental colleagues or from patients themselves for a complex wisdom teeth extractions. At Modbury Dental Practice we have access to the latest CBCT imaging scanner to enable advanced diagnosis for complex procedures and patient care. We aim to see failed extraction patients within 7 days of receiving the referral. Please contact us for further details.
Impacted wisdom teeth can trap food and bacteria, starting a build-up of plaque, which in return results in further dental complications such as:
Gum disease. This occurs when plaque releases toxins that irritate your gums, making them red, swollen and painful. This can also affect the surrounding teeth and the bone around the wisdom teeth.
Tooth decay develops when plaque begins to break down the surface of your tooth and when more advanced, it leaves cavities in the tooth, which also may affect the surrounding teeth.
A dental abscess – is when pus collects in your wisdom teeth or the surrounding tissue due to a bacterial infection.
Pericoronitis which is an infection, caused by plaque in the soft tissue surrounding the tooth.
Cellulitis – a bacterial infection in the cheek, tongue or throat.
Cysts and benign growths – if a wisdom tooth hasn’t emerged through the gum it could develop a cyst or fluid-filled swelling.
An impacted wisdom tooth occurs when it doesn’t have enough room to come through the gum and may become twisted, tilted or displaced.
Soft tissue impaction occurs when the crown of the tooth has penetrated through the bone, but the gum is still covering part of the tooth.
Partial bony impaction is when the tooth has partially erupted, but a part of the tooth remains submerged in the jawbone.
Complete bony impaction occurs when the tooth is entirely encased by the jawbone.
Make an appointment with your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms
First of all, your dentist will assess your wisdom tooth and carry out an X-ray of your mouth. This gives a clearer view of the position of your teeth in order to determine if it needs to be removed.
We may request a CBCT scan, at an additional cost. This is to be completed prior to the extraction appointment to assess the full position of the tooth and its proximity to the ID nerve. This is to ensure we reduce the risk of nerve injury.
The extraction procedure will then depend on the type of impaction you have. You might need to be referred to a specialist dental surgeon.
If the extraction is to be carried out at Modbury Dental you will be given local anaesthetic injections to numb the area so that you will only experience pressure during its removal.
Some procedures only take a few minutes, whereas others can take 20 minutes or longer depending on the complexity.
If you’re feeling anxious about having a wisdom tooth extraction, our sister practice, Abbey Mead Dental & Implant Centre, offers IV sedation to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your treatment. Their experienced team provides a safe, supportive environment where your well-being is the top priority. IV sedation is ideal for patients with dental anxiety or those undergoing more complex procedures, allowing you to feel relaxed while still remaining responsive.
We’re happy to refer you to Abbey Mead if you feel this option would make your experience more comfortable.
