Treatments
Wisdom teeth removal
Wisdom teeth only need removing when they are causing trouble or clearly heading that way. The first job is working out which category yours are in, and that starts with an x-ray rather than an assumption.
Signs yours might need looking at
- Pain or a dull pressure at the back of the jaw
- Swelling, or repeated infection around a partly erupted tooth
- Food packing behind the last molar that you cannot clean out
- Decay in the wisdom tooth or the tooth in front of it
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
Plenty of people have wisdom teeth that never cause a moment's bother. If yours are behaving, leaving them alone is usually the right answer.
What the process looks like
- 01
Assessment and x-ray
We look at the position, the roots and how close they sit to the nerve. This is what decides whether removal is sensible and whether it is a job for here or for an oral surgeon.
- 02
A plan and a written quote
You find out what is involved, how long it should take, what recovery looks like and what it costs, before anything is booked.
- 03
The appointment
Done under local anaesthetic, with happy gas or sedation available if you want it. You feel pressure and movement rather than pain.
- 04
Aftercare
Written instructions to take home, and a number to call if anything worries you. Most people manage with over-the-counter pain relief and a few quiet days.
Some wisdom teeth are a job for a specialist
Deeply impacted teeth, roots sitting close to the nerve, or cases better done under general anaesthetic are ones I refer to an oral surgeon. You will be told which category yours falls into after the x-ray, not partway through an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Get your wisdom teeth assessed
An x-ray and an honest answer about whether they need to come out at all. If you are in pain now, call rather than booking online.
Further reading
- Wisdom Teeth: The Signs Worth Getting Checked Before They Become a ProblemHow to tell if it's your wisdom teeth, and why it's worth checking early rather than waiting for pain.
- Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Out: What to Actually ExpectA plain-language walk-through of the procedure and what recovery is really like.