and how a wisdom tooth is removed.

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Here we show the position of the wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are located at the back of your mouth

and develop after all the other teeth.

Wisdom teeth don't usually cause problems.

However, if there isn't enough space for them to come through they

become impacted.

This is when they squeeze against the other teeth,

causing pain and swelling.

If one or more of your wisdom teeth are causing problems,

you may consider having them removed.

Here we show what an impacted wisdom tooth looks like.

You will usually need to have an X-ray before you have a wisdom tooth removed,

so that your dentist can see its position.

Here we show a dental X-ray, including the wisdom tooth to be removed.

The type of anaesthesia used will depend on the position of your wisdom tooth.

If your wisdom tooth is severely impacted,

you may be given a general anaesthetic.

This means you will be asleep during the operation and feel no pain.

You will need to go to hospital to have a general anaesthetic.

Alternatively, your dentist may use local anaesthesia.

This completely blocks feeling from the wisdom tooth and surrounding area.

You will stay awake during the operation.

Depending on the position of your wisdom tooth,

your dentist may need to make a small cut in the gum over the tooth,

and then remove any bone that is covering it.

The wisdom tooth is then taken out.

Your dentist may need to cut the tooth into pieces, to make it easier

to remove.

Your dentist will press a gauze pad against the gum after the tooth has been removed.

Your dentist may use dissolvable stitches to reduce bleeding.

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