Wisdom Teeth Removal
Why Is It Done ?
If you have any infections, surgery will usually be delayed until the infection has cleared up. Your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics to help heal the infection.
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You probably have questions. We can answer them and, based on an analysis of your situation, tell you the best option that is right for you.
A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may come up in the future. When wisdom teeth come in, a number of problems can occur:
- Your jaw may not be large enough to accommodate them, and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums.
- Your wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and bacteria can become trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful. These are signs of infection.
- More serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or the development of a cyst.
- One or more of your wisdom teeth may come in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or to either side.
The operation
Many people have their wisdom teeth removed under local anaesthesia by a general dentist or oral surgeon. This means that they are awake, but the area around the wisdom tooth is completely numb. Sedative drugs can be given with local anaesthesia to help people relax during the procedure. For our patients who need that extra help to relax, we offer intravenous conscious sedation.
The operation will not start until the anaesthetic has taken effect. It is often necessary to make a small cut in the gum over the wisdom tooth, and to remove some bone so that the tooth can be lifted out. Stitches are usually put in to help the gum heal.
Some people have their wisdom teeth removed under general anaesthesia. This means that they are asleep throughout the procedure. This has to be done in hospital, but it's almost always carried out as a day case, requiring no overnight stay.
City Dentists Ltd. L2, Featherston House, 119-123 Featherston Street, Wellington City. Ph (04) 978 4964
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