Wisdom Teeth Care & Treatment in Burlington

Pearl Dental offers wisdom tooth extraction in Burlington and for surrounding communities. With years of experience in dental surgery, our team makes patient comfort and relaxation our top priority. However, before considering wisdom tooth removal we will thoroughly examine each patient to determine their particular needs, taking the time to discuss risks, benefits and treatment options so you can make an informed decision.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as “third molars”, are a set of teeth that usually erupt into the mouth between the ages of 16-21. While the typical number of wisdom teeth is four (one in each corner of your mouth), some people can have three, two, one, or none at all. Some people can even have more than four; in fact Dr.Currie even treated one patient who had a remarkable NINE wisdom teeth!

Since wisdom teeth are so often impacted and causing signs or symptoms that justify removal you may wonder why we even have them. There is no definitive answer to that question and as mentioned some people do not develop any wisdom teeth at all. One hypothesis is that changes in our diet over time have led to changes in jaw development and tooth wear which leaves less space for third molar eruption.

Wisdom tooth removal is a very common method of dealing with problematic wisdom teeth, and is one of the most commonly performed dental procedures.

Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Sometimes it seems that wisdom tooth removal has become a teenage rite of passage, but do all wisdom teeth really have to be removed?

Wisdom teeth are actually more accurately referred to as third molars, and as such are essentially just another tooth. For some people, their jaws are already wide enough to accommodate the third molar teeth, and so the wisdom teeth emerge without causing any issues. Provided a third molar has fully erupted, is easily accessible for oral hygiene, and is causing no signs or symptoms, it is perfectly reasonable to leave it in place.

For other people, the wisdom teeth may never emerge and continue to sit below the gumline, causing no issues. In this scenario, wisdom teeth removal is also not necessary. Unfortunately wisdom teeth which fail to fully erupt can lead to problems such as gum inflammation and decay. If wisdom teeth are impacted (not fully erupted) Dr. Currie will discuss the risks and benefits of leaving them in place versus removal.

How are wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth removal in Burlington is a usually accomplished ‘in office’ with a local anaesthetic. Sedation dentistry is also an option for anyone with anxiety about the extraction, or for more complex wisdom teeth removals that will take a bit longer.

If the tooth has emerged already, it is possible that the tooth can be pulled with minimal effort or further incisions. If the tooth is still below the gumline, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum covering the tooth so it can be accessed and effectively removed. Some teeth require sectioning, which involves cutting the tooth into multiple sections so it can be removed as atraumatically as possible.

At Pearl Dental Burlington, your dentist will perform x-rays and a visual examination to determine what exactly is happening in your case and let you know what techniques they will use to remove your tooth.

What is the recovery process like?

The healing process for wisdom tooth removal in Burlington is generally predictable. Some patients are able to return to regular activity just days after their surgery and other individuals may require up to a week of modified lifestyle. Recovery varies greatly with difficulty of tooth removal and individual healing rates. However, recovery can be enhanced by following some simple guidelines.

The most important step to speed recovery after wisdom tooth removal is rest. Resting minimises swelling which typically peaks two days after the surgery. Using ice packs and taking any prescribed medications will also minimise swelling. Similarly it is important to avoid strenuous exercise after removal of wisdom teeth.

Eating a soft diet will help avoid food impaction in the surgical sites which can lead to infection. Keeping your mouth clean will aid healing but it is important to avoid brushing the surgical sites; an antibacterial rinse is often used to help keep these areas clean.

If you are concerned about wisdom tooth removal in Burlington contact Pearl Dental today. Dr. Currie can assess your needs and discuss the risks and benefits of removing wisdom teeth.