Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often emerge as a rite of passage in late adolescence. However, these teeth can bring along complications. Kai Dental ensures that this dental milestone remains as painless and uncomplicated as possible.
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Causes and Presentation of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last of the large grinding teeth at the back of your mouth to come through, offering support and preserving the bone in the jaw.
A wisdom tooth looks very much like any other molar and usually has two to three roots, but some can have four.
If you have a wisdom tooth coming in, there are a few tell-tale signs and symptoms to look out for, including:
- Redness or swelling in your gums, particularly behind your last molars.
- Tenderness in the gums.
- Jaw pain, stiffness, or a dull ache or throbbing sensation.
- Facial pain, caused by wisdom teeth putting pressure on the nerves.
- White spots behind your last molars (these are likely to be the start of your new teeth erupting through your gums).
- Halitosis, also known as bad breath.
What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Lead To?
Wisdom teeth don’t always need removing, especially if they erupt properly.
Most people will have their wisdom teeth by the time they reach their mid-twenties, but not everyone has adequate space in the mouth for them. As a result, these teeth can become impacted, emerging at an angle or not fully breaking through the gum.
An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to:
Pain and swelling
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty opening your mouth.
- Infections
Food and bacteria can easily get trapped in erupting wisdom teeth, leading to infections of the gums.
- Tooth decay
Positioned right at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean, making them more prone to decay and other dental issues than other teeth.
- Gum disease
When impacted, a wisdom tooth makes it harder to keep the teeth and gums clean, increasing the risk of periodontal (gum) disease.
- Cysts
Though rare, cysts or tumours can form around untreated wisdom teeth, jeopardising jaw health and the surrounding teeth.
- Damage to neighbouring teeth
An impacted wisdom tooth can push against the second molar and damage it. Food accumulation and plaque buildup can also increase the risk of tooth decay, which can spread to the adjacent teeth.
- Crowding
Wisdom teeth can push your other teeth out of alignment, creating orthodontic issues.
- Sinus problems
Unlike fully erupted wisdom teeth, an impacted wisdom tooth (particularly in the upper jaw) can put pressure on the sinus cavity, causing pain, congestion, and headaches.
Load MoreHow Do We Fix Wisdom Teeth?
Kai Dental offers meticulous examination processes. If an impacted wisdom tooth is problematic, extraction is recommended to ease the symptoms.
Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common procedures at our dental clinic.
Upper wisdom teeth are usually easier to remove than lower wisdom teeth, but with access to cutting-edge techniques and a seasoned team, the surgical extraction process remains as streamlined and pain-free as possible.
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What happens during wisdom tooth removal?
When you visit our London clinic to have wisdom teeth removed, our dental surgeon will carry out the procedure under local anaesthetic to ensure minimal pain and discomfort.
If you’re a nervous patient or your teeth are more difficult to remove, we can offer sedation to help you feel calm and relaxed while you’re having your wisdom tooth extracted.
Once your mouth is numb, we’ll use special tools to carefully ease your tooth out, cutting into the gum tissue if it’s covering the tooth. We’ll apply gentle pressure to expose the tooth, widen the tooth socket, and remove the bone around the tooth.
The tooth will be removed in one piece, or cut into two or three pieces, and we’ll use dissolvable stitches to close the wound.
What to expect post-procedure?
Recovery time following wisdom tooth surgery can vary depending on the complexity of the tooth extraction and whether an incision was necessary.
It may take several hours before the feeling comes back into your face and jaw after local anaesthetic, but the wisdom tooth extraction procedure takes around 40 minutes to complete.
It’s common to experience mild discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off, and you’ll usually have some pain and swelling for the first couple of days, but you can alleviate this with over-the-counter pain relief.
It’s also normal to have:
- Bruising on your cheek
- Stiffness or soreness in your jaw
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
But this usually lasts no more than two weeks.
Our team will provide advice on how to look after your teeth and gums after having wisdom teeth removed, including things like taking care not to bump or knock the area of your mouth and not eating or drinking anything (other than water) for the first 6 hours after the procedure.
Why choose Kai Dental?
Careful treatment management for patient comfort
Kai Dental have been providing wisdom teeth treatment London-wide for over two decades. Our expertise and commitment to patient care ensures that your experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
So, whether you’re dealing with an impacted wisdom tooth or experiencing jaw pain, our dental surgeons will offer a thorough assessment to determine the best course of treatment.
After your wisdom tooth extraction procedure, our dental team will provide comprehensive aftercare instructions to minimise complications, such as dry socket or infection, ensuring a smooth recovery.
Empathetic care that makes dentistry accessible for all
At Kai Dental, we cater for all age groups, ranging from children to elderly patients.
We understand that nervous patients require personalised care, and our team is dedicated to making your dental surgery experience a pleasant one.
Accessible and fair pricing
We have extensive expertise in oral surgery and pride ourselves on offering competitive prices across all our treatment options. Check out our fees page.
Plus, we provide payment plans to help you spread the cost of your tooth extraction, paying in affordable monthly instalments instead of one lump sum upfront.
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Interested in Wisdom Teeth Treatment?
When it comes to wisdom teeth removal, our London clinic stands out for its state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled dental team, ensuring maximum comfort during your visit.
So, if you are keen to get the ball rolling or find out further information about wisdom tooth extraction, book an initial consultation with our specialists.
Your pain could be resolved in as little as an hour, so it’s not worth putting off anymore.
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Treatment Spotlight
Bridges
As a restorative treatment, Kai Dental offers Bridges to cover the gap created by missing teeth.
Ceramic Braces
Long gone are the days of avoiding Braces based on aesthetics alone. Now, Braces can be virtually unnoticeable.
Cosmetic Bonding
Many people with discoloured, chipped, gapped, or even short teeth feel embarrassed to smile or cover their mouths when laughing. Cosmetic bonding can return your confidence with a brighter, fuller smile.
Crowns
A Crown is a restorative procedure where a tooth or Dental Implant is capped to protect it from continued damage.
Bridges
As a restorative treatment, Kai Dental offers Bridges to cover the gap created by missing teeth.
Ceramic Braces
Long gone are the days of avoiding Braces based on aesthetics alone. Now, Braces can be virtually unnoticeable.
Cosmetic Bonding
Many people with discoloured, chipped, gapped, or even short teeth feel embarrassed to smile or cover their mouths when laughing. Cosmetic bonding can return your confidence with a brighter, fuller smile.
Crowns
A Crown is a restorative procedure where a tooth or Dental Implant is capped to protect it from continued damage.
Professional Dentistry
