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Not all wisdom teeth need removal. Teeterville patients can learn how impacted or problem wisdom teeth are assessed, what surgery involves and how to recover.
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Care for Teeterville households, provided at our Port Dover office
Browse every dental service for TeetervilleThird molars
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually come in during the late teens or early twenties. Some erupt fully and cause no trouble. Others are impacted, meaning they are trapped in the jaw or partly through the gum, which can lead to pain, infection, decay of neighbouring teeth or cysts. Deciding whether to remove them depends on their position and your symptoms.
Patients from Teeterville can have their wisdom teeth assessed at our Port Dover office. The dentist will review X-rays, discuss whether removal is recommended now, later or not at all, and explain whether the extraction can be done in the office or would be referred to an oral surgeon.

Assessment
Pain or swelling at the back of the mouth, a bad taste, difficulty opening the mouth or repeated gum infections around a partly erupted tooth are common signs of trouble. Decay or gum problems in the neighbouring molar may also prompt removal. X-rays show the position of the tooth, its roots and its relationship to nerves and sinuses, which all affect how straightforward removal would be.
Wisdom teeth that are fully erupted, healthy, cleanable and functional may not need removal. Some impacted teeth that cause no problems can be monitored with periodic X-rays instead. The dentist will explain the benefits and risks of removal versus monitoring based on your age, symptoms and the tooth’s position. Ask what changes would prompt a different recommendation in the future.
Planning
Share your medical history, medications and allergies before the procedure is booked. Blood thinners, bone medications and certain conditions may need special planning or a word with your physician. Discuss whether local anaesthetic alone or some form of sedation is appropriate for you. Complex cases, such as deeply impacted teeth sitting close to nerves, may be referred to an oral surgeon for treatment.
If sedation is planned, arrange for someone to drive you home to Teeterville and stay with you for a while afterward. Stock up on soft foods, ice packs and recommended pain relief before the appointment. Plan to rest for a day or two, and avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting or sports until the dentist says it is safe to return to them.
The procedure
After numbing the area thoroughly, the dentist may need to make a small incision in the gum to reach an impacted tooth. Sometimes a small amount of surrounding bone is removed to free it. You should feel pressure and movement but not sharp pain. Let the dentist know straight away if anything feels uncomfortable, so more anaesthetic can be given before continuing.
The tooth may be removed whole or in sections to keep the opening as small as possible. Stitches may be placed to help the gum heal, and some dissolve on their own. Gauze is placed over the site to control bleeding. You will receive detailed aftercare instructions before leaving the office, and it helps to have your companion listen to them as well.
Recovery
Swelling and discomfort are common and often peak in the first couple of days. Use ice packs on the cheek, take pain relief as directed and eat soft foods. Avoid straws, spitting, smoking and vigorous rinsing for at least a day to protect the blood clot. Gentle salt-water rinses may be recommended after the first day to keep the area clean.
Contact our Port Dover office if bleeding does not slow, pain worsens after several days, swelling increases or you develop fever. These could indicate dry socket or infection, both of which can be treated. Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing or swallowing. Attend any follow-up appointments so the dentist can check healing and remove stitches if needed.
Planning your appointment
Call our Port Dover office to book an assessment of your wisdom teeth. Mention any pain, swelling or difficulty opening, so the team can advise on timing and whether X-rays will be needed.
Bring any recent X-rays from other offices, and plan for a driver if sedation may be part of the treatment plan.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
No. Healthy, fully erupted wisdom teeth that can be cleaned well may be kept for life. Impacted or problem teeth are more likely to be removed. The dentist will assess each tooth individually and explain the reasoning behind any recommendation.
Many people feel noticeably better within a few days to a week. Full healing of the gum and bone takes longer, often several weeks. Following aftercare instructions closely, resting and eating soft foods all help recovery go smoothly and lower the risk of complications.
Removal is often easier in younger adults because the roots are less developed and the bone is softer, which can make healing quicker. However, age is only one factor. The decision depends mainly on the tooth’s position, your symptoms and the risk of future problems.
It occurs when the blood clot is lost from the socket too early, exposing bone. It typically causes throbbing pain a few days after extraction, sometimes spreading toward the ear. Contact the office if you suspect it, since a simple dressing usually brings relief.
Many extractions are done with local anaesthetic, which numbs the area while you stay awake. Sedation may be available for some patients. Complex cases may be referred to an oral surgeon who can offer deeper sedation. The dentist will discuss which approach suits you.
When a tooth cannot be saved, removal may be the safest step. Teeterville patients can learn how extractions are planned, how healing goes and what replaces it.
When a tooth is badly broken or infected, urgent removal may be advised. Teeterville patients can learn how that decision is made and what recovery looks like.
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