Impacted Wisdom Teeth – A Quick Guide
Treatment for painful wisdom teeth in London NW8 at Abbey Road Dental.
Wisdom teeth can be pesky can’t they? Here at Abbey Road Dentist, wisdom tooth removal is one of the regular procedures we perform, so we’re more than aware of exactly how much hassle they can cause.
Did you know that most adults have roughly 32 teeth, including 4 wisdom teeth which make their way to the surface in our late teens to early twenties?
Although we can’t guarantee you these mighty molars will give you wisdom, we can assure you that for a lot of people they do an important job helping grind food at the back of the mouth. However, if they don’t fully surface, or partially surface, this is when you may experience problems.
Issues With Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth can be wonky and misaligned which can then cause damage to the nerves in your mouth, other teeth or your jawbone. Misaligned wisdom teeth can also be a hotbed for decay because plaque and food debris gets trapped in any gaps or crevices caused by the misaligned tooth. An impacted wisdom tooth is a wisdom tooth that is trapped in full, or in part inside the soft tissue and/ or jawbone. When a wisdom tooth is only emerging partially, rather than completely, it allows bacteria to surround the tooth and cause painful infections.
Impacted wisdom teeth may cause –
- Gum disease
- Tooth Decay
- Infections which cause intense pain in the mouth, jaw, neck and face, oral and facial swelling, jaw stiffness and symptoms of general illness like headaches and nausea
How Do I Know If My Wisdom Teeth Have Come Through Properly?
At our Abbey Road Dentist NW8, one of our experienced dentists will have a look at how your wisdom teeth are positioned and they may also request you have an X-ray to see how they are aligning and surfacing. It may be the case that you need your wisdom tooth removing as a preventative measure if assessments suggest it will cause you future problems. This may seem a little scary, but it’s done to help you avoid future pain and infections, and a much more complicated and painful extraction later down the line.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
The ease in which your wisdom teeth can be removed depends on the position they are in, and if they are fully embedded, partially surfaced or fully surfaced. If a wisdom tooth has completely surfaced it can be removed easily, just like any other tooth. However, if it is still underneath your gums or embedded within the jawbone, a small incision may need to be made, as well as some partial removal of any bone sitting over the impacted tooth. In some cases, wisdom teeth are removed in sections so that as much bone is preserved as possible.
At our friendly practice, we pride ourselves on giving patients full, concise and transparent explanations of what to expect during any procedure, so you’ve no need to worry, you’ll know exactly what to expect during the extraction.
What Do I Do If I Have Problems With My Wisdom Teeth?
If you’ve been coming to us for a while, we’ll already be fully aware of what your wisdom teeth are up to, which means any necessary preventative measures will be explained and recommended to you. However, if you’re new to our NW8 practice, or you’re a current patient suddenly experiencing some wisdom tooth issues, please book an appointment with us today so we can provide you with the professional, friendly and efficient treatment you need.