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Wisdom Teeth Removal Kitchener

Victoria Family Dental offers Kitchener wisdom teeth removal services. Wisdom teeth extractions may be necessary to maintain your oral health for a variety of reasons, such as if you have an impacted wisdom tooth or if you do not have enough room in your jaw for the erupting wisdom tooth.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or your third set of molars, emerge at the back of your mouth, and are the last to erupt. These teeth usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Some individuals experience no issues with these teeth, but for many, wisdom teeth are a source of discomfort and potential dental problems.

It's important to monitor the development of your wisdom teeth. Regular checkups with a dentist helps ensure that there are no developing issues as they start to emerge, even before you notice any symptoms. If you do notice any signs of wisdom teeth-related issues, you should consult with a dentist. This ensures any concerns are addressed before causing significant damage.

Common Wisdom Teeth Issues


Impacted Wisdom Tooth

One of the most common issues associated with wisdom teeth is impaction. Wisdom teeth that don't have enough space to grow properly can emerge at awkward angles, and become stuck underneath the gums or even the jaw bone. This can cause pain, infection, and damage to nearby teeth. The type of impacted wisdom tooth you have will affect the surgical extraction procedure that will be used, and whether a simple tooth extraction can be performed.

Soft tissue impaction occurs when the tooth cannot emerge fully from under the gum, creating a gum flap that is a home for bacteria.

A partial bony impaction occurs when the tooth is not able to completely emerge from the bone, so it is stuck underneath the gum, and partially under the bone. This can lead to infection and cysts.

With a complete bony impaction, the tooth is unable to break through the surface of the bone at all. This requires the most complex surgical procedure for removal.

Overcrowding

When there is not enough room in the mouth, wisdom teeth can press on the adjacent teeth, damaging the other teeth, causing overcrowding and creating misalignment of teeth. It can also be quite painful. This makes it difficult to keep teeth clean, and increases the risks of tooth decay and gum disease.

Infection

Wisdom teeth can cause gum infections for a variety of reasons. Cysts can develop, and a serious infection of the gum around a wisdom tooth, known as pericoronitis, may occur. If left untreated, pericoronitis can lead to abscesses and a dangerous systemic infection.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth


Symptoms of an impacted tooth include pain and swelling in the jaw, and difficulty opening the jaw. Bleeding gums and bad breath or an unpleasant taste are also signs.

Why Is a Wisdom Teeth Extraction Necessary?

Wisdom tooth extraction is often recommended to address or prevent the issues and potential complications associated with wisdom teeth. Wisdom tooth removal may be necessary to:

  • Alleviate your pain and discomfort
  • Prevent and treat infection and cysts
  • Avoid or minimize damage to adjacent teeth and misalignments

Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure

A dental extraction may seem intimidating, but it is a common procedure, and you will be given anesthesia to minimize any discomfort.

Our dentist starts by performing thorough diagnostics to confirm your wisdom tooth or teeth will need to be removed, and fully assess the position and condition of your wisdom teeth, as well as other relevant factors.

The exact extraction procedure will depend on the level of impaction. We will discuss with you whether a simple extraction is possible, or whether a more complex surgery is needed.

For a simple extraction, the tooth is pulled using forceps.

For a partial or complete bony impaction, the oral surgeon makes an incision in the gum to access the tooth. Any overlying bone or gum tissue is removed. The impacted tooth is then removed with dental tools; it may be broken up to make this easier. The surgical site is then cleaned up.

Sutures may be necessary to close the extraction site.

Aftercare Following Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Proper aftercare is important for recovery after a wisdom tooth extraction.

Some pain and swelling after the procedure is normal. Depending on your procedure, you may be given a prescription for pain medication, or you can use over the counter painkillers to manage pain. Cold compresses help to reduce the swelling. If the pain or swelling doesn't start to subside in a couple of days, contact our dentist.

You will need to avoid brushing the area until it is healed; warm salt water rinses will keep the area clean until then. At first, you will only be able to manage liquids, and will need to have a soft diet for the first few days to prevent irritation and injury to the extraction site.

Book an Appointment

At Victoria Family Dental, we are pleased to offer wisdom tooth removal services for our patients, and will work with you to address any concerns or anxieties you have.

If you're experiencing discomfort or suspect issues with your wisdom teeth, don't delay seeking treatment; this can lead to ongoing pain and developing oral health issues.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Book an appointment with our dental office today