Oral Surgery

Oral Surgery Consultants

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth removal at Vale Healthcare

Wisdom teeth commonly appear between the age of 16 and 25 years of age, and can be a source of discomfort and pain for many years, particularly if there is not enough room for them to grow. Wisdom teeth grow at the back of your mouth, next to your molars. Not all people get wisdom teeth, but you can have up to four (one in each back corner). At Vale Healthcare, our Oral Surgery Clinic specialises in surgery of the mouth and jaw, including the removal of wisdom teeth.

Our Oral Surgery Clinic is a Consultant led services that runs weekly at the Cardiff Bay Clinic. Patients will have an initial consultation with a specialist Oral Surgeon, and discuss the options available in regards to the removal of wisdom teeth.

Many people will have their wisdom teeth removed at their dentists. This is a simple procedure which can be performed at the Oral Surgery Clinic also. Sometimes the wisdom teeth extraction can be more complex, particularly if there are multiple extractions, if the procedure requires a general anaesthetic, or if you have any co-morbidities. This is when your dentist may refer you to a specialist Oral Surgery Clinic.

What does the wisdom teeth removal procedure involve?

Wisdom teeth can often grow with no pain or discomfort, however if there isn’t enough room for them to grow, then they can sometimes cause pain, swelling, or infection. This can result in the wisdom teeth needing to be removed.

The procedure for removal of wisdom teeth is a commonly performed and safe procedure, and is usually performed as a day-case procedure (no overnight stay). The procedure can be done under local anaesthetic, with additional sedation, or using general anaesthetic. You will be able to discuss with your surgeon (and the anaesthetist) in regards to the options available to you and their recommendation.

Wisdom teeth removal - about the procedure

There are multiple techniques used to remove teeth, and your surgeon will discuss with you the options and their recommendation for treatment. Usually, teeth are extracted with surgical instruments by loosening them so they can be lifted out of the socket.

Your treatment will involve your surgeon making a small cut above the wisdom tooth (in your gum), removing some bone, and then lifting the tooth out. The cut is then closed over with stitches.

After the operation you may feel some swelling, bruising and jaw stiffing, and there may be some bleeding from the gums in the first 24 hours following the procedure.

Risks and benefits

All surgery carries an element of risk, including an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic. However, your surgeon will discuss all the known risks to you, allowing you to make an informed decision as to whether to proceed with the procedure.