Wisdom teeth removal

Don’t let your wisdom teeth create problems for your other teeth

Wisdom teeth rarely come through as they should. If they’re causing you issues, we can remove them easily and painlessly.

What is wisdom tooth removal?

Your wisdom teeth are located in the back of your jaw, behind your last molars. They normally start to grow in your late teens or early twenties, although they can emerge at any age. Unfortunately, because human jaws are shrinking, wisdom teeth often get stuck when they try to grow. If they do come through, they can be crooked or crowd your other teeth, resulting in a range of dental issues. To prevent problems like infections, cysts, damage to other teeth, and an increased chance of dental decay, we often recommend removing your wisdom teeth as early as possible.

What do I need to know about wisdom tooth removal?

The thought of having your wisdom teeth removed can be a bit scary, but it’s a common procedure that we do all the time. The Natural Smile team are experts at making you feel relaxed and we use the latest in dental technology for a pain-free extraction. First, we’ll numb your jaw with local anaesthetic. If the tooth has already emerged, we’ll perform a normal extraction. If it is stuck in your gum, a small surgical procedure will be required to get it out. Either way, we’ll ensure you are as comfortable as possible.

What other treatments are available?

Depending on your situation, some of the following treatment options might be recommended to transform your smile.

Featured
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction

Painless removal for impacted, decayed, or damaged teeth

Keeping your Natural Smile intact is our top priority, but if a tooth needs to come out, we can help make the process stress-free.

Read More →
An attractive woman smiles confidently, showing her healthy and strong teeth after a visit to dentist, Dr Dave Richards, of Natural Smile Dental St Heliers, Auckland.
The luxurious, clean, quality Natural Smile Dental clinic in St Heliers, Auckland provides dental and cosmetic services using advanced technology for a stress-free dentist visit.

Common questions about wisdom teeth removal

  • Even if your wisdom teeth haven’t begun to grow yet, we can tell by looking at your dental x-rays if they are likely to cause a problem. Once they start to emerge, you might notice discomfort when chewing, or swollen, painful, or bleeding gums. You may also have bad breath, a nasty taste in your mouth, or difficulty opening your jaw.

  • If your wisdom teeth are impacted, it means they can’t emerge from your gums properly because they are growing at an angle or don’t have enough room to grow. Not only can this cause you pain, but it can also damage your existing teeth and cause infections. It’s very common; studies suggest that 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.

  • The Natural Smile team is very experienced at painlessly removing wisdom teeth. We’ll provide you with the appropriate level of anaesthetic and sedation, depending on how complex the treatment will be. You should feel nothing, and if you are sedated, you will have very little memory of the procedure.

  • You will need someone to drive you home because you may feel a little wobbly from the anaesthetic, especially if you have had sedation. Once you get home, it’s normal to have a bit of discomfort and swelling in your gums for up to a week. We’ll give you a list of instructions on how to care for your mouth as it heals.

  • As with any medical procedure, there are always some risks, but these are outweighed by the benefits of the treatment. We may prescribe you an antibiotic to prevent infection. There is a minor risk of nerve damage which might cause temporary numbness in parts of your mouth, or damage to adjacent teeth. We’ll outline all the potential risks so you can make an informed decision.

  • The cost of removing your wisdom teeth will vary depending on the position of the teeth and whether they have caused any other problems that need to be treated. We’ll let you know in advance exactly how much the procedure will cost and explore the payment options that suit you best.