Wisdom teeth are typically the last teeth to develop and usually erupt into the mouth between the ages of 16 to 25. In many people the amount of space available is insufficient to accommodate the size of the wisdom teeth. This results in the teeth not being able to fulfil a functional role in the bite, and the teeth often become stuck at various stages of development, a condition known as impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth may cause a number of problems including infection, decay of adjacent teeth, pain and predispose to the development of some types of pathology.
The removal of wisdom teeth is probably the most common procedure performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and is among the most frequently undertaken surgical procedures in Australia. For most people the procedure is straight forward and recovery takes only a few days. Impacted wisdom teeth are usually removed under a general anaesthesia, but some are suitable for extraction with local anaesthetic only, depending on patient preference.
Dr Mouser, Dr Deane and Dr Thorpe will discuss with you the best way of treating your wisdom teeth, and will outline the type of procedure required, including the risks, costs and expected post-operative recovery.
