Wisdom ToothExtraction.
Impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are assessed with digital X-rays at Nanwood Dental in Brampton, and removed when necessary to protect your surrounding teeth and overall oral health.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, clinically referred to as third molars, are the last set of permanent teeth to develop, typically emerging between the ages of 17 and 25. Most adults have four of them, one in each corner of the mouth, though some people develop fewer or none at all.
In earlier human history, the jaw was larger and wisdom teeth served a functional role in grinding coarse foods. Modern diets and jaw anatomy have changed considerably, and today the jaw often lacks sufficient space to accommodate these additional molars. That is why they so frequently become problematic.
Why Do Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?
When a wisdom tooth cannot fully erupt through the gum line, because it is blocked by adjacent teeth, bone, or soft tissue, it is described as impacted. Impaction can be partial (the tooth has broken through the gum partially) or complete (the tooth remains entirely beneath the bone). Both types can lead to serious complications if left unaddressed.
The angle at which an impacted tooth lies also varies: it may tilt toward the adjacent second molar, lean away from it, lie horizontally, or remain upright but unable to fully descend. Each orientation presents different risks to the surrounding structures.
Crowding and pressure. A partially or fully impacted wisdom tooth exerts pressure against the second molar, potentially causing pain, shifting of teeth, and damage to the adjacent root.
Pericoronitis. When a wisdom tooth is only partially erupted, the surrounding gum tissue forms a flap that traps food debris and bacteria. This leads to pericoronitis, a painful infection of the gum tissue that can cause swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, and referred pain to the jaw, ear, or throat.
Cyst formation. Impacted teeth can develop a fluid-filled sac (dentigerous cyst) in the surrounding bone. If untreated, these cysts can expand and cause significant bone loss or damage to adjacent teeth.
Decay in hard-to-reach areas. Even when a wisdom tooth erupts fully, its position at the back of the mouth makes it difficult to clean. Plaque accumulation increases the risk of cavities on the wisdom tooth itself and on the distal surface of the second molar beside it.
What Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Involve at Nanwood Dental?
At Nanwood Dental in Brampton, we begin every assessment with digital X-rays or a panoramic radiograph to evaluate the position, angulation, and root morphology of each wisdom tooth. This imaging guides our recommendation. Not all wisdom teeth require removal, and we only recommend extraction when the clinical evidence supports it.
Simple extractions, for wisdom teeth that have fully erupted, are performed under local anesthesia, using the same technique as any other tooth removal. Surgical extractions are required for impacted teeth; these involve a small incision in the gum, and the tooth may be sectioned into pieces to allow removal with minimal disruption to the surrounding bone.
Anesthesia. Local anesthesia is administered to fully numb the area. Sedation options are available for patients who prefer to be more relaxed throughout the procedure.
Tooth loosening and removal. The tooth is gently loosened from the periodontal ligament using an instrument called an elevator, then lifted out with forceps. For surgical cases, the overlying gum tissue is reflected and any bone obstructing access to the tooth is carefully removed.
Socket care. After extraction, the socket is cleaned and, where appropriate, a bone preservation material may be placed. Dissolvable sutures are used to close the gum tissue if an incision was made.
Gauze and clotting. You will bite on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes post-procedure to encourage clot formation. A blood clot in the socket is essential for proper healing.
What Is Recovery Like After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Recovery from a straightforward wisdom tooth extraction is generally rapid. Surgical extractions for deeply impacted teeth involve a longer healing period, though most patients return to normal activity within a week. Here is a general guide to what to expect:
Day 1. Expect some bleeding, swelling, and numbness as the anesthesia wears off. Rest, keep your head elevated, and change gauze as directed. Avoid rinsing, spitting forcefully, or using a straw, all of which can dislodge the clot.
Days 2 – 3. Swelling typically peaks during this window and then begins to subside. Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours to help manage swelling. Soft foods (yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs) are comfortable at this stage.
Days 4 – 7. Most patients experience a marked reduction in discomfort and can resume light activity. The gum tissue begins to close over the extraction socket. Gentle warm salt-water rinses (starting 24 hours after extraction) help keep the area clean.
Weeks 2 – 4. The socket continues to fill in with new tissue. Full bony healing of the socket takes several months, but the area is typically comfortable and functional well before that point.
How Do I Care for the Extraction Site Afterward?
Following these guidelines will reduce your risk of complications such as dry socket (a condition that occurs when the blood clot is lost prematurely) and help ensure a smooth, uneventful recovery.
Avoid smoking or tobacco products for at least 72 hours, preferably longer. Suction and chemical compounds in tobacco significantly increase dry socket risk and slow tissue healing.
Do not use straws for the first 48 to 72 hours. The suction motion can dislodge the clot and expose the underlying bone.
Take prescribed or recommended pain medication on schedule for the first 24 to 48 hours, even if discomfort is mild. Staying ahead of inflammation is easier than managing it once it peaks.
Stick to soft, lukewarm foods for the first few days. Avoid hot liquids, hard or crunchy foods, and anything that requires vigorous chewing near the extraction site.
Continue brushing your other teeth normally, but avoid the extraction site on the first day. From day two onward, brush carefully around the area and rinse gently with warm salt water after meals.
Contact Nanwood Dental promptly if you develop worsening pain after the third day (which may signal dry socket), a fever, pus or discharge from the socket, or excessive swelling that is not subsiding.
Office Hours
- Tue & Fri
- 10am – 7pm
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Closed
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Questions, Answered
When does a wisdom tooth need to be removed?
At Nanwood Dental in Brampton, we recommend removal when a wisdom tooth is impacted, crowding the neighbouring molar, trapped under a gum flap that keeps getting infected, or forming a cyst. Not every wisdom tooth has to come out. The decision is based on your digital X-rays, so some patients keep fully erupted, cleanable wisdom teeth for years without issue.
Does Nanwood Dental perform surgical wisdom tooth extractions, or do I need a referral?
Nanwood Dental performs both simple and surgical wisdom tooth extractions in Brampton, including impacted teeth that need to be sectioned for removal. Every case starts with digital X-rays to check the tooth's position relative to nerves and adjacent roots. For unusually complex impactions, such as a tooth positioned close to the nerve canal, we discuss referral to an oral surgeon before any treatment begins.
What is recovery like after wisdom tooth extraction at Nanwood Dental?
Most Nanwood Dental patients in Brampton feel back to normal within a week of a wisdom tooth extraction, though deeply impacted teeth can take longer to heal. Expect swelling and some bleeding on day one, with discomfort easing noticeably by days four through seven. Full bony healing of the socket takes several months, but the site is typically comfortable and functional well before then.
Does Nanwood Dental accept insurance for wisdom tooth extraction?
Yes. Nanwood Dental in Brampton bills directly to most major insurance providers, including Sun Life, Manulife, Great-West Life, Blue Cross, Canada Life, Desjardins, and Green Shield. Coverage for wisdom tooth extraction varies by plan, particularly for surgical or impacted cases, so we recommend confirming your benefits before your appointment. Call (905) 874-8555 and our team can check your coverage.
Is wisdom tooth extraction painful at Nanwood Dental?
Wisdom tooth extraction at Nanwood Dental is performed under local anesthesia, so the area is fully numb throughout the procedure. Sedation options are available in Brampton for patients who prefer to be more relaxed. Most patients report manageable discomfort, not sharp pain, in the days afterward, and it typically peaks around day two or three before steadily improving.