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Wisdom Tooth Removal in Bristol
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through, usually in your late teens or twenties. Often they arrive without any trouble. When there is not enough room, they can come through at an angle, get stuck, or cause pain, swelling and infection. We will assess yours and tell you honestly whether they need to come out.
When do wisdom teeth
need removing?
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. Many people keep theirs for life without any problems, and we will not recommend removal unless there is a clear reason for it.
Removal is usually considered when a wisdom tooth keeps causing pain or infection in the gum around it, is decayed and cannot be restored, is damaging the tooth next to it, or has developed a cyst. Repeated infection of the gum over a partly erupted wisdom tooth, known as pericoronitis, is one of the most common reasons.
An X-ray shows us the position of the tooth and its roots, which tells us how straightforward removal is likely to be.
What to expect
Here is what happens when you come to us about a wisdom tooth.
Assessment and X-ray
We examine the tooth and take an X-ray to see its position and roots before deciding anything.
A clear plan
We explain whether removal is needed, what it involves and what it will cost, before you decide anything.
Local anaesthetic
The area is numbed before we start. You may feel pressure during removal, but you should not feel sharp pain.
Sedation if you need it
If you are anxious, conscious sedation may be an option. We will talk through what it involves, including its own considerations, first.
Aftercare
We give you aftercare advice to take home, and we are here if anything worries you while it heals.
Recovery after
wisdom tooth removal
Most people are sore and a little swollen for a few days, often at its worst around the second or third day. The pain relief you would normally take, a cold compress on your cheek for the first day, and soft food all help.
For the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing, hot drinks, smoking, alcohol and strenuous exercise, so the blood clot in the socket is not disturbed. After that, gentle warm salt water rinses help keep the area clean.
Call us if the pain gets worse rather than better after a few days, if you notice a bad taste or smell, if the swelling increases, or if you have a temperature. These can be signs of a dry socket or an infection, and both can be treated.
Questions about wisdom teeth
Do all wisdom teeth need to come out?
No. If a wisdom tooth is not causing problems, it is usually best left where it is. We only recommend removal when there is a clear reason, such as repeated infection, decay or damage to the tooth next to it.
Is it done here at the practice?
Yes. Wisdom teeth are removed here at our Stoke Bishop practice, so you will not need to be referred to an oral surgeon.
How long does it take?
Straightforward removals often take well under an hour. More complex ones take longer, and we will tell you what to expect for your tooth at your assessment.
Will I need time off work?
Many people take a day or two to rest afterwards. It depends on the tooth and on the work you do, and we will give you an idea at your appointment.
I am nervous. Can I be sedated?
Conscious sedation may be suitable. Read about sedation or see how we help nervous patients.
What does it cost?
Cost depends on how straightforward the removal is. We will give you a written cost after your assessment and before any treatment goes ahead.
My wisdom tooth is painful right now. What should I do?
Call us. If there is swelling that is spreading or affecting your breathing or swallowing, go to A&E or call 111. See our emergency dentist page for what to do in the meantime, or read more about tooth extraction.
Worried about
a wisdom tooth?
Whether it is aching now or you want to know whether it will cause problems later, we are happy to take a look and talk you through your options.
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