What are "impacted wisdom teeth" and why do Dentist's remove them?
Wisdom teeth are your third molars at the back of your mouth. Most people have wisdom teeth and they usually erupt in your late teens or early twenties. Many of us have too small of a jaw to accommodate room for these teeth. Often, we may recommend having these teeth removed before they have a chance to cause complications for you. When a third molar is unable to properly move into it's proper position, it may become impacted, growing into your mouth sideways, backwards, and in awkward angles.

These teeth can lead to the following complications:

1. Periocoronitis (infected gums) - When a tooth starts to break through your gum tissue, bacteria can enter through the opening and become trapped underneath the gum. The tissue becomes infected, sometimes very swollen, even abscessed and can cause a great deal of discomfort.

2. Caries or Decay - When a tooth is partially erupted out of your gum tissue, it is very difficult to keep clean. Quite often, these teeth are so far back in your mouth and at such difficult angles to clean yourself. Plaque, which contains bacteria, sticks to the tooth and gums, and will deteriorate the tooth, and possibly the teeth beside them as well.

3. Crowding of other teeth - When your third molars erupt, and there is not enough space, this can create a crowding pattern within your jaw. They can push on your adjacent teeth and cause them to move out of alignment with your other teeth. Crowded teeth are also very difficult to keep clean.

4. Cyst Formation - Sometimes the sac around the impacted wisdom tooth can fill with fluid and form a cyst within your bone. This cyst can severely deteriorate the bone structure around the tooth, the adjacent teeth, and possibly damage nerves in the area.

If you are concerned about any of these complications or symptoms threatening your dental health, please ask Dr. Alex Gibson to take a look at your wisdom teeth. These problems may appear gradually and it is always easier to take care of problems before or just as they start. Regular examinations and x-rays help us to detect and most times prevent complications. The best time to remove wisdom teeth is in your late teens or early twenties, before the roots have a chance to completely form and anchor themselves into your jaw. Your jawbone is less dense the younger you are, denser jawbones make removing teeth more complicated and healing time is slower.

Where do I have my wisdom teeth removed?
First, we need to evaluate your dental and medical history, take an x-ray of the area, and discuss recommended treatment with you. If the teeth are very impacted and deep within your jaw. General Anaesthetic is available.

Dr Alex Gibson will organise surgery time at the Doha Clinic hospital where the anaesthetists are well trained. Normal healing may or may not involve some swelling, slight bruising of your cheek for a few days, with some discomfort in your gums and jawbone. It is always recommended to get plenty of rest, place an ice bag 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off the area for the first day, and eat soft foods for the first three to five days. We recommend scheduling this visit when you have the option to rest for a day or two afterwards. If at anytime before or after the surgery you have any questions or want to see Dr. Alex, please call our clinic as soon as possible.