Wisdom Tooth Removal

The last teeth to arrive may be the first to leave.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to grow into our mouths. They are located at the back of the mouth at the end of each arch. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth.  However, some people have fewer, and some don't develop any at all.

Wisdom teeth are no different than any other teeth except that they are the last teeth to erupt. They are just as useful as any other teeth if they grow in properly, are full-sized, have a proper bite relationship, and have healthy gum tissue around them. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Because our jaws are smaller than our ancestors, there is often little room for these teeth to erupt properly. Therefore, problems ensue as these teeth attempt to erupt.

Wisdom teeth can often become impacted, or trapped in the jawbone and can push up against adjacent teeth. Whether wisdom teeth cause your mouth harm depends on several factors, including the size of your jaw and how your wisdom teeth grow in. Sometimes, you may have no symptoms at all, but the other teeth in your mouth can be harmed by the impactions.

What are the indications for removing Wisdom Teeth?

• Infection in or around impacted or even unerupted wisdom teeth
• Gum disease being propagated due to the position of wisdom teeth
• Formation of a cyst or tumor
• Decay of adjacent teeth
• Crowding or displacement of adjacent teeth
• Interference with the bite
• Interference with restoration of adjacent teeth
• Non-functional

How are wisdom teeth removed?

The type and length of the surgery will depend upon how developed your wisdom teeth are and their position. In either case, you will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area around your wisdom tooth.

If your tooth is partially or completely erupted it may be extracted, or lifted out with forceps. Occasionally, if the roots are deeply embedded in the jawbone, the tooth may have to be split or some bone may need to be removed.

If your tooth is impacted, an incision is made in the gum to access your wisdom tooth. The incision creates a flap, which is then peeled back, exposing the jawbone. If the tooth is lodged in the jawbone, bone tissue that is covering the tooth may have to be removed. The tooth may be extracted from its socket in one piece or split for easier removal.

What precautions should I take following the removal of wisdom teeth?

Following an extraction it is important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. After the blood clot is formed, it is important to protect it, especially for the first twenty-four hours. You must follow the post-operative instructions given to you by the dentist in order to heal properly and comfortably.  Those instructions may include a number of the following:

• Do be careful not to bite your lips, tongue or cheek while you are still anesthetized
• Bite on a gauze pad for twenty minutes after the extraction (If bleeding or oozing continues after you remove the gauze pad, place another dampened gauze pad and bite firmly for another twenty minutes)
• Apply an ice pack to the area for two hours immediately following the extraction (twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off)
• Do not smoke for a minimum of three days after the surgery
• Do not clean the teeth next to the extraction site
• Do not suck through a straw or rinse your mouth vigorously
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages
• Do not eat hot or spicy foods
• Drink plenty of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods on the day of the extraction (Resume your regular diet when you are comfortable doing so)
• Rinse your mouth gently after meals with warm salted water
• Sleep with two pillows to elevate your head
• Take part only in calm activities on the day of the extraction
• Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water at least twice a day beginning the day after the extraction
• Resume your normal dental routine after the first twenty-four hours (This should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day)
• Use pain medications as needed and take all antibiotics exactly as prescribed

You may resume normal activities after four or five days.

If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain or continued swelling after three days or if you think that you are having a reaction to the medication, call us immediately at 905-479-7777 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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