Tooth Extractions

Tooth Extractions in Narellan

Do I need a tooth extraction?

While we strive to maintain your teeth for as long as possible, sometimes a tooth extraction is the only option available. At Somerset Dental Care, a tooth extraction is recommended when: decay has reached deep into your tooth, infection has destroyed a large portion of your tooth or surrounding bone, your teeth are crowded and need more room.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

While most people have four wisdom teeth – two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw – it is often the case that there is not enough space at the rear of the jaw for these teeth. In these cases, your dentist may recommend that the partially erupted impacted molars, more commonly known as wisdom teeth, are extracted.

Removal of problematic wisdom teeth prevents infection, damage to adjacent teeth and bone, and future discomfort. It is recommended that the extraction of your wisdom teeth is done at a young age to avoid complications.

What happens before extraction?

Before any extraction, we thoroughly review your medical and dental history and take the appropriate x-rays to reveal the length, shape, and position of the tooth and surrounding bone. From this information, we can decide whether to refer you to an oral surgeon for specialist care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of molars located at the back of the mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, with one in each quadrant of the mouth—upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left. These teeth typically begin to emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, a period referred to as the “age of wisdom,” which is where the term “wisdom teeth” comes from. However, not everyone develops wisdom teeth, and some people might have fewer than four or none at all. Due to their late eruption and potential for causing dental issues such as crowding, impaction, and misalignment, wisdom teeth are often monitored by dentists, and in some cases, they might need to be extracted to prevent complications.

Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. The decision depends on factors such as the wisdom tooth’s alignment, eruption status, the potential for complications like impaction or crowding, and the individual’s overall oral health. Wisdom teeth that are properly aligned, fully erupted, and can be maintained with good oral hygiene might not require removal. However, impacted wisdom teeth, those causing crowding or misalignment, and those prone to infections or gum issues are often recommended for removal to prevent pain, infection, and other dental problems. Regular dental checkups and X-rays are essential for assessing the need for wisdom teeth removal on a case-by-case basis.

“Impacted” wisdom teeth are those that do not fully emerge or develop properly in the mouth due to factors like limited space or improper angulation. This can lead to complications such as pain, infection, damage to neighbouring teeth, and cyst formation. There are different types of impacted wisdom teeth based on their orientation, including vertical, horizontal, mesial, and distal impactions. Extraction is often recommended to prevent these potential problems. Dentists or oral surgeons assess the position of impacted wisdom teeth through X-rays and provide appropriate recommendations for treatment to maintain oral health and prevent discomfort.”