Wisdom Teeth Removal in Aurora

What it is

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, at the very back of the mouth. They usually show up in the late teens or early twenties, long after the other adult teeth. Many jaws do not have quite enough room for them, so they may come in crooked, only partway, or not at all. A tooth that stays trapped in the bone or gum is called impacted.

Some wisdom teeth grow in straight, can be cleaned well and never cause trouble. Others sit at an angle and push against the molar in front, trap food under a flap of gum, or decay because a toothbrush cannot reach them. A partly erupted tooth can lead to a painful gum infection called pericoronitis, which often comes back. Less often, a sac around a buried tooth can form a cyst.

That is why the X-ray matters so much. It shows the angle of each wisdom tooth, how deep it sits, how its roots are shaped, and how close it is to the nerve that gives feeling to your lower lip and chin. Your dentist uses this to decide whether removal makes sense now, later, or not at all.

We offer both simple and surgical extractions here, and that includes many wisdom teeth. Complex cases may be referred, and we'll explain why. Sedation options are available for some treatments; we'll talk through what suits you.

Is it right for me?

• You feel pain, pressure or swelling at the very back of your jaw
• The gum over a back tooth keeps getting sore, puffy or has a bad taste
• Food gets stuck behind your last molar and you cannot clean it well
• An X-ray shows a wisdom tooth tipped against the molar in front
• Your orthodontic or other dental plan calls for wisdom teeth to be assessed
• You are in your late teens or twenties and have never had them checked

Step by step

1. Assessment and X-rayYour dentist examines the back of your mouth and takes an X-ray that shows each wisdom tooth, its roots and the nearby nerve.
2. Decide togetherYou hear which teeth, if any, should come out, which can be watched, and whether removal is done here or by referral.
3. Prepare for the dayPlan to rest for the rest of the day, stock up on soft food, and arrange a ride if you would feel more at ease.
4. RemovalAfter freezing, the gum is opened if needed and the tooth is removed, sometimes in sections. Stitches may be placed.
5. Recovery checkWe give you written home-care steps and check healing if needed, especially if stitches need to come out.

How it compares

General information. Your dentist will explain what applies to you.

Benefits and risks

Cost and coverage

Wisdom tooth removal is priced tooth by tooth, and the biggest factor is how each one sits. A wisdom tooth that has fully come in is a simpler removal than one covered by gum, and one buried in bone is a more involved procedure again; the Ontario Dental Association fee guide treats each of these differently. The assessment exam and X-ray are separate. Oral surgery is a covered category under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, though some services need approval first, and we accept IFHP and bill all insurance plans directly. If you are referred to an oral surgeon, that office will give you its own estimate. For removal here, you get a written estimate before the day.

What shapes your estimate

• How many wisdom teeth are being removed
• Whether each tooth is fully erupted, partly erupted or buried in bone
• The X-ray needed to plan the removal
• Whether removal is done here or by an oral surgeon
• Your insurance, CDCP or IFHP coverage

Read more about insurance and payment, the Canadian Dental Care Plan and IFHP coverage.

After your visit

• Hold an ice pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek, on and off, for the first day to limit swelling
• Sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow for the first couple of nights
• Stick to cool, soft food such as yogurt, soup and eggs for a few days, and avoid crunchy bits that can lodge in the socket
• Gently open and close your jaw after the first day or two to ease stiffness
• Plan a few quiet days away from sports, heavy lifting and hard workouts

Questions