Wisdom teeth: when removal is the right call

Wisdom teeth have a bad reputation, but plenty of people keep theirs for life without trouble. The problems start when there isn't enough room, and in most jaws, there isn't.

Signs yours may need to go

Pain or swelling at the back of the jaw, food constantly trapping behind your last molar, a gum flap that gets sore and inflamed, or pressure against the tooth in front are the classic signals. Some impacted teeth cause silent damage too, which is why we check them on X-ray even when nothing hurts.

What removal is like now

Modern local anaesthesia makes the procedure itself painless, and a straightforward extraction is often done in under half an hour. Most people are back to normal routines within a few days, with soreness managed by over-the-counter medication.

If your wisdom teeth are making themselves known, don't wait for the pain to decide for you. An X-ray and a short consultation will tell us exactly where things stand.