Wisdom teeth are the teeth at the back of your mouth. Wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars. They are usually the last adult teeth to come through the gum and usually appear between 15 and 21 years of age.
Why do my wisdom teeth need removing?
Your wisdom teeth may need removing if there is not enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to take their best position. These wisdom teeth are sometimes called “impacted” teeth. All or most of the wisdom tooth may stay below the surface of the gum. Sometimes they may stay deep inside the jaw bone.
Problems due to impacted wisdom teeth may include:
- infected gums
- squashing of the wisdom tooth and the second molar leading to tooth decay of both teeth and/or damage to the second molar
- formation of an unwanted sac of fluid (cyst) which causes damage to the jaw bone, nearby teeth, and, rarely, tumours
- a weakness in the lower jaw which may result in the jaw breaking when a strong force is applied (e.g. in sport or eating hard foods).
Will I need a general anaesthetic to remove my wisdom teeth?
A general anaesthetic is not always required to remove wisdom teeth. Often, they can be done in the dental chair with local anaesthetic (numbing the mouth only). For more difficult cases or if you are very nervous, a general anaesthetic is required.
At Collins Dental, we recommend booking for a consultation to see what is best for your teeth and your mouth.
