Wisdom teeth usually start to break through the gum with we are young adults, from 18 years of age onwards. In some cases, they might be impacted, that is, formed in the gum, but not erupting downwards through it. They may grow sideways, for instance, and if they cause causing headaches or pressure, they may have to be removed.

If you think you are having trouble with your wisdom teeth, you should first go see your regular dentist. Depending on the size and position of the wisdom teeth and whether or not they have erupted, you might be referred to an oral surgeon.

Some lucky people never develop wisdom teeth. Others have to have them removed. Wisdom teeth are referred to as third molars and are found way in the back of the mouth. If the wisdom tooth never breaks through the bone and remains completely surrounded in the jaw, it usually doesn’t cause a problem.

Teeth that do cause problems are wisdom teeth that partially show through the bone. These have the crown of the tooth showing and can be subject to tooth decay and other periodontal disease.

When a tooth has to be removed, your dentist will discuss your various options with you. They will tell you how the wisdom tooth is doing and if there are any causes for concern. You may already be experiencing problems to do with pressure or jaw ache, and particularly if you have developed an abscess in one of the wisdom teeth.

An abcess is a painful infection that will require antibiotics to treat it and can also lead to oral surgery.

If you decide to have your wisdom teeth removed, the surgical procedure can take a while depending on how many teeth are being extracted. The procedure can take from twenty minutes to two hours or longer.

Before the surgery, you will be numbed in the gums and around the tooth to avoid any nerve pain during the procedure. This numbing medication is usually a syringe with lidocaine. You will feel a slight prick in the gums and experience a chemical taste. Some doctors might also numb the area with a light rub of lidocaine before injecting you.

Once you are sufficiently numbed, the procedure can begin. If the tooth is partially seen or sideways where it can grow into other teeth and shift them, a cut will be made in the gum to create a tissue flap that will be closed over the hole afterwards. A mature wisdom tooth can have two or three roots, so the orthodontist will have to make sure that he can remove it with all roots intact if at all possible.

Some teeth may need to be cut into pieces to be removed out of a smaller incision to reduce the trauma to the gums. The opening will be sutured closed once the tooth is extracted.

As we have said, the procedure can be simple for one tooth, or more complicated for two or more teeth being removed. Obviously the most extensive surgery will be if all four are removed at the same time.

Once the anesthetic wears off, you may need some over-the-counter painkillers. If you do experience more than unusually sharp pain, ask your dentist for a prescription for something stronger. You might also be required to take an antibiotic for up to a week afterwards to avoid infection.

Having a wisdom tooth extracted doesn’t have to be a terrible process if you know what to expect and are prepared for it. Your dentist can walk you through it ahead of time so there are no surprises. You may experience some pain and discomfort for about a week after the removal of your wisdom teeth, but you might be saving yourself years of pain and ache by deciding to have your wisdom teeth taken out.