Wisdom teeth can be confusing, especially when your dentist says they might need to come out. If you, or your teenager has been told, it’s time to think about wisdom teeth, you probably have a lot of questions about timing, pain, and recovery. This FAQ sheet answers the most common questions we hear in our Toronto dental clinics, so you can feel informed and confident about what comes next.
Archer Dental practices wisdom teeth removal at all three Archer Dental locations in downtown Toronto.
What are wisdom teeth?
Adult male with all four wisdom teeth.
Your wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in the back of your mouth (the ones closest to your throat). Most people have four of them (one on each corner of your jaw) but not everyone does. They usually tend to grow in between the ages of 17 and 25, but your dentist can spot them in an X-Ray before then.
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth used to serve a very valuable purpose; according to anthropologists, we needed them to help properly chew and break down our ancestors’ early diet of leaves, roots and meats (which would wear down teeth much faster). The modern diet we tend to eat today contains softer foods that’s gentler on our teeth. This makes wisdom teeth more-or-less irrelevant. Much like the human appendix organ, evolution has rendered wisdom teeth near obsolete, and it’s an evolutionary fact that a growing number of people are being born without them!
Why are wisdom teeth removed?
Impacted wisdom tooth.
Wisdom Teeth are generally removed if:
- They’re impacted (meaning they can’t come into your jaw normally due to their location at the back of your mouth and can get trapped in your jawbone or gums),
- They come in at the wrong angle due to excess crowding with your other teeth,
- Your mouth is too small and there’s no room in your jaw,
- You have cavities and are unable to brush or floss your wisdom teeth properly due to their difficult to access location.
Most people have room for a maximum of 28 teeth, meaning there’s no room for those extra 4 to grow in. Sometimes people will feel the effects of their wisdom teeth even before they start erupting into the mouth (causing pressure or throbbing in the back of the jaw)
Cost of wisdom tooth removal in Toronto
The cost of wisdom teeth removal in Toronto can vary depending on how many teeth need to be removed, how difficult they are to extract, and whether you are asleep or awake for the procedure. In general, simple wisdom tooth extractions cost less, while impacted teeth that require surgery and sedation cost more.
At Archer Dental, we will provide you with a written estimate before treatment begins, and we are happy to review your dental insurance coverage with you so there are no surprises. During your consultation, we will examine your X‑rays, explain your options, and outline the expected fees for your specific situation. If you would like a personalized quote, you can book a wisdom tooth assessment at any of our Toronto locations.
Do all wisdom teeth have to be removed?
Click the picture and count his teeth.
No, not all wisdom teeth need to be removed – it’s very subjective and based on the dental situation of each individual patient. The photos on the left show an adult male with all his wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth typically do NOT need to be removed if they’re healthy, have grown in completely (meaning they’re fully erupted), are positioned correctly and bite properly with the opposing teeth on the upper or lower jaw, and are able to be be properly cleaned and flossed in a patient’s daily hygiene practices.
What happens when your wisdom teeth are removed?
Recovering from wisdom teeth removal surgery.
Generally speaking, wisdom teeth removal happens to people between the ages of 16 and 22, although there are always exceptions.
Wisdom teeth removal is generally advised in patients while they’re still young because the formation of the root of the wisdom tooth in the jawbone is not complete so there are fewer complications and risks associated with the surgery.
Extraction (dental surgery) takes 45 minutes or less, and because your doctor may have to cut your gums or bone to access the teeth, you’ll get one of these types of anesthesia depending on the severity: local (a shot of Novocaine or breathing nitrous oxide, for example), IV sedation (your mouth will be numbed and you will also be given drugs to make you drowsy through a vein in your arm), or general anesthesia (you’ll either get drugs through a vein or breathe in gas through a mask. In both cases you’ll sleep through the entire surgery). Your doctor will stitch any incision in the gum shut with dissolvable stitches.
How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth removal surgery?
The average recovery time is about 3 days (though it may be longer) and swelling, soreness, and discomfort are likely side effects. Your mouth may need a few weeks to heal completely after surgery.
Contact Archer Dental for wisdom teeth removal surgery in Toronto
Each Archer Dental clinic has teams of dental professionals; a resident dentist, dental hygienist and dental assistants who are highly experienced in wisdom teeth removal surgery. The practice happens regularly at Archer Dental Baby Point, and in the downtown core at Archer Dental Rosedale which i on the eighth floor of the medical center at Bloor and Sherbourne St., and on College Street at Archer Dental Little Italy. The same level of expertise and gentle care is provided at all three clinics.