When impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed and how the surgical process works.
What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
Wisdom teeth often come through late. If there isn't enough room in the jaw, the tooth can stay inside the bone or under the gum. This is called an impacted tooth.
When does it need to be removed?
Not every impacted tooth has to be removed. Your dentist may recommend removal in these cases:
- Recurring pain or gum infection
- Risk of damaging a neighbouring tooth or causing decay
- Problems such as cysts in the jaw
- Pressure that disturbs the alignment of your teeth
The surgical process
Before the procedure, the position of the tooth is examined on a panoramic X-ray. Removal is done under local anaesthesia; if needed, the bone and gum tissue around the tooth may be worked on. Following your dentist's aftercare instructions makes healing easier.
The information on this page is for general purposes only. The treatment that suits you is decided by your doctor after the examination.
