Impacted wisdom tooth removal specialists in Hampstead, North London
You may think of growing new teeth as a childhood milestone, but when it comes to wisdom teeth, some people do not see these appear until their late twenties.
Whilst not all of them need to be removed and many people’s wisdom teeth will grow in with no problems at all, their late arrival means wisdom teeth can cause a whole host of issues. The most common problem we see is that there is often not enough room for the wisdom teeth to come through.
Wisdom teeth that are said to be ‘impacted’ are those unable to fully come into the mouth properly due to other teeth blocking the way. They can be impacted either forwards into the tooth in front or backwards into the jawbone.
This can result in repeat attacks of infection in the gum surrounding the wisdom tooth, cysts to form around the tooth, and food packing in the gaps causing decay in either the wisdom tooth or the tooth in front of it.
In other cases, impacted wisdom tooth removal is necessary where there are symptoms of infection or decay such as pain and swelling.
Wisdom tooth extraction, particularly with impacted wisdom teeth, is always best carried out by a highly skilled oral surgeon.
The wisdom teeth removal procedure at Dental Perfection’s North London practice in Hampstead
In most cases, wisdom teeth removal can be carried out under local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area; meaning you may not need to be put to sleep for the procedure. Particularly nervous patients can speak to their oral surgeon about sedation prior to their appointment.
During your wisdom teeth removal appointment at our North London practice here in Hampstead, our team will do everything they can to ensure you feel safe and relaxed from the moment you walk through the door.
If your wisdom teeth have already come through, but you still need to be removed due to overcrowding, infection or decay, the extraction is often similar to that of a molar tooth.
However, impacted wisdom tooth removal is different. When a tooth has not yet come through, a very small cut must be made in the gum in order to access it. In some cases, a small piece of the bone may need to be removed if it is also covering the tooth.
In some cases, your oral surgeon may need to divide the tooth into smaller parts to make it easier to remove.
Under the local anaesthetic, you won’t feel any sharp pains throughout the procedure. During the impacted wisdom tooth removal, however, you may feel some pressure as your oral surgeon widens the tooth socket by gently rocking the tooth back and forth. The pressure you feel is not great and it makes for a clean, quick and easy extraction.
The length of your wisdom tooth extraction appointment can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the degree of the impaction.
Following your wisdom tooth extraction
If an incision was made to remove your wisdom tooth, your oral surgeon will use stitches to seal the gum. Any stitches that may have be placed during your wisdom teeth removal will self-dissolve after a few days to a week.
It is also likely that your oral surgeon may also immediately place gauze over the site of your wisdom tooth extraction and ask you to keep pressure on it by biting your jaw down for up to an hour. This is to ensure a blood clot can form in the empty tooth socket - this helps your gums to heal.
If your extraction was due to an infection in the tooth or gum, it is likely you will be prescribed antibiotics to take away with you. After an impacted wisdom tooth removal, make sure you avoid the following for at least 24 hours following the procedure:
- Rinsing your mouth out with any liquid
- Drinking hot liquids, like tea or soup
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking, and
- Any strenuous physical activity.
It can take anywhere up to two weeks to fully recover from wisdom teeth removal and you may experience some pain, bruising and swelling in the mouth and cheeks for the first few days. This should gradually improve on its own, but over-the-counter painkillers and gently holding a cold cloth to your face will help to reduce the pain and swelling in the meantime.
If you notice any excess bleeding, severe pain, or any other unusual symptoms, contact your Oral Surgeon at Dental Perfection immediately on 020 7431 2710, or come in to the Hampstead practice in North London as soon as possible.
North London wisdom teeth removal in Hampstead
Our oral surgery team at our Dental Perfection’s North London practice here in Hampstead are committed to making sure you are comfortable through every stage of your treatment. To book your wisdom tooth extraction or impacted wisdom tooth removal with Mr. Shah today, please call us on 020 7431 2710, or come in and see us at our practice in Hampstead, North London to book your consultation. You can also find out more about wisdom teeth removal costs.
We have been working with clients from all over North London (including St Johns Wood, Belsize Park, Highgate, and Swiss Cottage) from our Hampstead clinic since 1979.
Our North London practice is less than a minute's walk away from Hampstead Underground Station.
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