Pain or infection
Recurring pain, an inflamed gum flap (pericoronitis) or a swollen cheek around the wisdom tooth. Removal prevents the complaint from returning again and again.
Pain, an infection or a loose wisdom tooth? At Tandarts West, your dentist in Rotterdam West, we first assess what is going on with an X-ray. A simple wisdom tooth we remove ourselves under local anaesthetic; a complex or tilted tooth we safely refer to an oral surgeon.
A wisdom tooth is the third and last molar at the back of each corner of your mouth. Most people have four, which usually come through between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes there is too little space, the tooth grows tilted or it only partly breaks through the gum. This can cause problems, and then wisdom tooth removal is sensible.
Not every wisdom tooth has to come out. If it sits well, is easy to keep clean and gives no complaints, it can stay. We mainly advise extraction for recurring infection, persistent pain, decay that can no longer be treated, or if the wisdom tooth damages the neighbouring tooth.
A nagging or throbbing pain at the back of the jaw is often caused by a wisdom tooth breaking through or partly exposed. Wisdom tooth pain that keeps coming back is a good reason to come in for an assessment.
If a flap of gum lies over the tooth, food can get trapped underneath and cause infection (pericoronitis). A loose wisdom tooth or one that keeps getting infected is something we assess with an X-ray.
A wisdom tooth that has come through normally can often be removed by the dentist. If the tooth is tilted, fused into the bone or close to the jaw nerve (impacted), we refer you to an oral surgeon for safety. Based on your X-ray we honestly tell you what is wisest in your situation.
At Tandarts West, your dentist in Rotterdam West on the Taandersstraat 121, we take the time to assess your complaint and calmly explain the process. Patients from Delfshaven, Middelland, Nieuwe Westen, Bospolder-Tussendijken and Spangen come here for wisdom tooth removal and other tooth extractions. Curious how it works? Read more about wisdom tooth extraction. In a lot of acute pain? Then see our emergency page.
For these complaints, removal is often sensible.
Recurring pain, an inflamed gum flap (pericoronitis) or a swollen cheek around the wisdom tooth. Removal prevents the complaint from returning again and again.
Too little room, so the tooth sits at an angle, pushes against the neighbouring tooth or only partly comes through. This can damage and trouble the second molar.
A wisdom tooth sits far at the back and is hard to keep clean. If decay develops that cannot be filled properly, extraction is often the best solution.
Calm, with an explanation at every step.
We assess your complaint and take an X-ray to view the position of the wisdom tooth and the nerve.
The area around the tooth is fully numbed with a local anaesthetic. During the treatment you feel no pain, at most some pressure.
The wisdom tooth is carefully loosened and removed. Sometimes a small suture is needed to close the wound.
You receive gauze and clear aftercare instructions. With rest and cooling the wound heals calmly.
X-ray of the tooth and the nerve.
The area is fully numbed.
Rest and cool the cheek the first days.
No smoking, rinsing or drinking through a straw.
With this advice the wound heals calmly and you reduce the risk of a dry socket.
Gently bite on the gauze until the bleeding stops. Do not rinse, do not suck and do not drink through a straw: the blood clot must stay in place. Cool the cheek on the outside with a cold pack.
Choose soft, lukewarm food and chew on the other side. Paracetamol helps against the pain. Avoid smoking and alcohol the first days, as they slow healing and increase the risk of a dry socket.
A throbbing pain that actually increases after a few days can point to a dry socket (alveolitis). Also for persistent bleeding, fever or a lot of swelling: contact the practice. It is easy to treat.
The X-ray determines what is safest in your situation.
In line with the national NZa rates. You receive a clear estimate in advance.
For adults, dental care is usually not covered by basic insurance. Supplementary dental insurance sometimes covers part of it. Request a personal cost estimate.
Book an appointment for an assessment with an X-ray. We honestly tell you whether removal is sensible and what you can expect.