Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out: if it has come through properly, causes no trouble and can be kept clean, it can stay where it is. Removal is recommended when a wisdom tooth causes repeated inflammation, decay, damage to the neighbouring tooth or another problem that shows up on examination and X-ray.
In this guide we explain what wisdom teeth are, which symptoms suggest something is wrong, how the extraction is done in the clinic and what to expect in the days that follow.
What wisdom teeth are and why they cause problems
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the last teeth at the very back on each side, top and bottom. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25, although some people never get them or do not have them at all.
The problem is often space. Because they arrive last, they frequently do not find enough room in the jaw and stay partly erupted, tilted or completely buried under the gum and bone. These are called impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted wisdom tooth is not always a problem, but it does need monitoring.
Symptoms: how to tell a wisdom tooth is causing trouble
- Pain or pressure at the back of the mouth, which can spread to the ear or temple.
- Swollen, red gum around the wisdom tooth that bleeds easily.
- A bad taste or bad breath that does not go away with brushing.
- Difficulty opening your mouth or chewing.
- Swelling in the cheek or jaw, sometimes with a fever.
The most common problem is pericoronitis: inflammation of the gum that partly covers a half-erupted wisdom tooth. Food and bacteria collect under this flap where a toothbrush cannot reach. The inflammation can settle and then come back again and again.
If swelling spreads quickly, or you have a fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing, do not wait for an appointment: go to a hospital emergency department straight away.
When does a wisdom tooth need to come out?
The decision is made after an examination and X-ray, not simply because everyone else has theirs out. We usually recommend removal when:
- There is repeated inflammation of the gum (pericoronitis).
- The wisdom tooth has decay that cannot be filled properly because the area is hard to reach.
- It is damaging the neighbouring molar, for example through decay or resorption where the two teeth touch.
- A cyst or other change has formed around it and is visible on the X-ray.
- It is broken or causing pain that cannot be managed another way.
On the other hand, a wisdom tooth that has fully come through, has an opposing tooth to bite against, does not hurt and can be cleaned well can usually stay. We keep an eye on it at your regular check-ups.
How a wisdom tooth extraction is done
Examination and panoramic X-ray
Before anything else, we examine your mouth and take a panoramic X-ray in the clinic. This shows the position of the tooth, the shape of the roots and how close it lies to important structures, such as the nerve in the lower jaw or the sinus above the upper teeth. We explain what the image shows, what we recommend and what it will cost.
Simple or surgical extraction
If the wisdom tooth has fully erupted, the extraction is much like any simple extraction. If it is impacted or tilted, a surgical extraction is needed: a small opening is made in the gum, sometimes a little bone is removed or the tooth is divided into sections so it can come out more gently, and stitches are placed at the end.
Local anaesthetic
The extraction is done under local anaesthetic, and we check with you that the area is fully numb before we start. During the procedure you feel pressure and movement; if you feel any discomfort you tell us and we stop. In more complex cases we may refer you to an oral surgeon, and we will tell you this from the start.
Recovery: what to expect in the first few days
After a simple extraction most people feel back to normal within two to three days. After a surgical wisdom tooth extraction, plan for one or two quieter days. Some soreness, swelling of the cheek and stiffness when opening the mouth are expected, and usually peak on the second or third day.
- Bite gently on the gauze for 30–45 minutes so a blood clot can form.
- For the first 24 hours do not rinse, spit forcefully, smoke or drink through a straw.
- Apply something cold to the outside of the cheek, with a cloth in between, to limit swelling.
- Eat soft, lukewarm food and chew on the other side for a few days.
- From the next day rinse gently with warm salt water after meals.
- Take painkillers as we advise, according to your medical history.
Dry socket: what it is and how to avoid it
A dry socket happens when the blood clot that covers the empty socket is lost too early. The bone is left exposed and the pain, instead of easing, gets stronger around the third to fifth day and often spreads to the ear. It is more common after lower wisdom tooth extractions and in people who smoke.
The best prevention is to protect the clot: no smoking, no straws and no vigorous rinsing in the first days. If the pain still gets worse after day three, call us. A dry socket is treated in the clinic by cleaning the area and placing a medicated dressing.
Cost and GESY
At DentLux, a wisdom tooth extraction starts from €200 and a simple extraction from €70. The final cost depends on the position of the tooth and whether a surgical extraction is needed, and we tell you after the examination, before anything is done. For adults, GESY covers one clinical examination and one cleaning a year; extractions are not covered.
You can read more about the procedure on our Tooth Extraction & Wisdom Teeth treatment page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have all four wisdom teeth removed at once?
Not necessarily. We remove the ones that are causing problems or are very likely to. If more than one needs to come out, we discuss whether to do them in the same visit or separately, depending on your case and what suits you.
How much time off work will I need?
After a simple extraction most people go back to work the same day or the next. After a surgical wisdom tooth extraction, it is sensible to plan one or two lighter days.
Does a removed wisdom tooth need replacing?
No. A missing wisdom tooth does not need to be replaced. If another tooth has to be removed, we discuss options for the gap beforehand.
When are the stitches removed?
If stitches are needed, we usually remove them after about a week at a short appointment, unless dissolving stitches are used.
Book a check-up
If a wisdom tooth is bothering you, or you simply want to know how things stand, call us on 77 773 003 or send a message on WhatsApp or Viber to 95 133 089. At DentLux Clinic in Aglantzia, Nicosia, we will look at the X-ray together and explain whether anything needs to be done.
