Wisdom Teeth removal

Having problems with your wisdom teeth? Your Winchester dentist can help.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth (or third molars) are the final teeth to emerge, usually appearing in your late teens or early twenties. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one at each corner of the mouth.

What problems can occur with wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth usually arrive without much fuss. Occasionally you may feel some tenderness (similar to that experienced by babies when they’re teething). Sometimes, however, wisdom teeth only partially arrive or arrive crooked. These ‘impacted’ wisdom teeth often occur because there isn’t enough room for them all in your mouth.

My wisdom teeth are impacted. Do I need them removed?

Not necessarily. When you visit our Winchester dental practice we’ll examine your wisdom teeth as a natural part of every check-up. Provided you (and we) are able to clean them sufficiently to avoid tooth decay, and providing they’re not causing you any pain or discomfort, your impacted wisdom teeth can be left as they are.
If, however, cleaning is – or is going to become – a problem, or if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, the removal of the tooth/teeth may be the most sensible course of action.

What happens if I need a tooth extraction?

Where an extraction will involve a local anaesthetic we’ll carry it out at our Winchester dental practice. Where a wisdom tooth will be more difficult to remove (and where extraction will involve a general anaesthetic) we’ll refer you to your local hospital.