Wisdom teeth generally make an appearance in the late teens or during your early 20s and may cause problems if your jaw is too small to accommodate four extra teeth. When there is too little space for wisdom teeth to fully erupt, they may become impacted or will only partially erupt. A wisdom tooth can become impacted when it is stuck underneath another tooth, which can cause discomfort, or may try to push sideways through the gums. When a wisdom tooth partially erupts, it remains partly covered with gum tissue that can easily trap bacteria, increasing the possibility of decay and infection.

Our dentists here at Redcliffe Dental closely monitor any wisdom teeth yet to erupt, using dental x-rays to locate their position. If it is clear a wisdom tooth will not be able to erupt properly then we will suggest its removal. We take every precaution to minimise discomfort during wisdom tooth extractions, providing additional sedation if required.