When it should come out
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing. It comes out when it has partly erupted and keeps getting infected, when it is impacted in the bone and pushing on the neighbouring tooth, or when it cannot be cleaned and decays. We decide with a panoramic X-ray, which shows the position of the roots and how close they are to the nerve.
How it is done
Under local anaesthetic, in one visit. An erupted tooth is out in a few minutes; an impacted one needs a small opening in the gum and sometimes dividing the tooth into pieces. Swelling in the first days is normal and passes within the week.