At Braces Hub, a dentist in Newton Park, Gqeberha, Dr Baboo assesses wisdom teeth that are impacted, crowded or pushing against neighbouring teeth, and removes them where necessary, rather than removing them automatically simply because they exist.
Why Might Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Removed?
Many jaws simply do not have enough room for a full set of wisdom teeth to come through properly. When this happens, wisdom teeth can grow in at an angle, get stuck beneath the gum line, referred to as being impacted, or crowd the teeth next to them. Left untreated, this can lead to pain, swelling, infection around the gum, or damage to the neighbouring tooth as the wisdom tooth continues to push against it.
In some cases, an impacted wisdom tooth causes no symptoms at all for years before suddenly flaring up, which is one reason a routine dentist appointment often catches the problem before it turns into an emergency.
What Does The Removal Procedure Involve?
Dr Baboo will first assess your wisdom teeth, often using an X-ray to see exactly how they sit beneath the gum and how close they are to nearby nerves and teeth. Depending on their position, removal may be relatively straightforward or may require a small surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic. Either way, you will be talked through exactly what your specific procedure involves, roughly how long it will take, and what to expect on the day, before treatment goes ahead, so there are no surprises once you are in the chair.
What Does Recovery Look Like?
Recovery time varies depending on how complex the removal was and how many teeth were involved. General aftercare guidance following wisdom teeth removal includes:
- Resting for the first day or two after the procedure
- Sticking to soft foods while the area heals
- Avoiding vigorous rinsing or using straws in the first few days, since this can disturb healing
- Keeping the area clean, following the specific instructions given after your procedure
Most patients are back to their normal routine within a week, though this depends on the individual case and how the extraction site heals. Dr Baboo will give you specific guidance to follow after your procedure, along with a way to reach the practice if anything feels unusual during recovery.
Should Every Wisdom Tooth Come Out?
Not necessarily. A wisdom tooth that has come through fully, sits in a workable position and can be cleaned properly alongside the rest of your teeth may simply be monitored rather than removed. The decision comes down to your own X-rays and how the tooth is behaving, rather than a blanket rule applied to every patient who reaches a certain age.
Where removal is not immediately necessary, Dr Baboo will keep an eye on the tooth at your regular check-ups and flag it if that changes, whether you are based in Newton Park or elsewhere in Gqeberha.
Book a dentist appointment for a wisdom teeth assessment. If a damaged tooth also needs attention while you are in, restorative dentistry may help.