Wisdom teeth removal in Waterloo.
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. When yours does, we will explain why, show you the X-ray, and tell you what the week afterwards looks like.
Is this you?
The gum at the back is sore and swollen
A partly erupted wisdom tooth leaves a flap of gum that traps food and bacteria. It flares up, settles, and flares again. Once that cycle starts it usually keeps repeating until the tooth comes out.
It is pushing into the tooth in front
A wisdom tooth angled forward presses on the molar beside it. That contact point is almost impossible to clean, and decay there can damage a healthy second molar that was never the problem.
You are told they are impacted
Impacted means the tooth cannot fully come through. Some impacted teeth sit quietly for life and are better left alone. Others cause repeated infection or damage. The X-ray tells us which kind you have.
They are fine and you were told to remove them anyway
Wisdom teeth that are fully through, cleanable, and not causing problems often do not need removing. We are happy to watch them at your regular checkups instead. Surgery you do not need is still surgery.
How it works here
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X-ray and assessment
We take an X-ray that shows all four wisdom teeth, their roots, and how close they sit to the nerve in the lower jaw. That last detail matters, and it is why this is not a decision made by looking in your mouth alone.
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Deciding what actually needs doing
We go through each tooth with you and the X-ray on screen. Some may need removing now, some may be worth watching, and some may be fine to leave. If a case is complex — deep impaction, or roots sitting against the nerve — we will refer you to an oral surgeon rather than attempt it here.
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The appointment
The area is numbed thoroughly and we check you are fully frozen before starting. For a tooth that is through the gum, removal can be quick. An impacted one takes longer and may need the gum opened and the tooth removed in sections. You will feel pressure and hear noise, and you should not feel sharpness.
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Stitches and going home
Surgical sites usually get a stitch or two — often the dissolving kind. You will bite on gauze before you leave, and go home with spare gauze, written aftercare, an ice pack plan, and a number to call that evening.
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The first week
Swelling peaks around day two or three and then improves. Expect to be sore, to have limited jaw opening for a few days, and to want soft food for most of the week. Most people take two or three days off strenuous activity. We will see you back if the site needs a check.
What it costs
The fee depends on each tooth: one that is fully through the gum costs less to remove than one that is impacted in bone. We price per tooth after the X-ray, so you can decide to do all of them or only the ones causing trouble.
What's included:
- Exam and X-ray showing the roots and nerve position
- Local anaesthetic
- The removal, including stitches where needed
- Gauze, written aftercare, and a number to call
- A follow-up check and stitch removal if required
You'll always receive a written estimate before treatment begins. See all fees & coverage
What to expect at Auburn Centre Dental
We will tell you plainly if your case is better handled by an oral surgeon. Referring you is not us passing you around — it is the right call for teeth sitting close to the nerve, and we would rather say so than find out mid-appointment.
If you want all four done, we will talk about whether to do them together or in stages. Doing one side at a time means you can still chew on the other.
Questions people actually ask
Do wisdom teeth always need to come out?
No, and this is worth saying clearly. A wisdom tooth that is fully erupted, in a normal position, and cleanable can stay for life.
Removal is worth it when the tooth causes repeated infection, is damaging the molar in front, has decay that cannot be restored, or is involved in a cyst. If none of those apply, watching it at your checkups is a legitimate plan.
How long is the recovery, honestly?
For a simple removal: sore for two or three days, largely back to normal within a week.
For an impacted tooth removed surgically: swelling peaking at day two or three, limited jaw opening for several days, soft food for most of a week, and full healing of the socket over a few weeks. Most people plan two or three quiet days afterwards.
Bruising along the jaw is normal and looks worse than it feels.
Can all four be done at once?
Often yes. The advantage is one recovery period instead of two. The disadvantage is that both sides are sore at the same time, so eating is harder for several days.
Doing one side at a time is a reasonable choice, particularly if you cannot take much time off. We will help you weigh it.
Will I be put to sleep?
Most wisdom teeth are removed with local anaesthetic only — you are awake, and the area is numb. If your case needs sedation or a general anaesthetic, that is done by an oral surgeon and we will refer you.
If anxiety is the reason you are asking, tell us. It changes how we plan the appointment and it is a normal thing to raise.
What about the nerve I have heard about?
The roots of lower wisdom teeth can sit close to a nerve that supplies feeling to the lip and chin. Disturbing it can cause numbness or tingling, which is usually temporary but occasionally lasts.
This is exactly why we X-ray first. If your roots sit against that nerve, we will tell you the risk applies to you specifically and refer you to an oral surgeon. You should hear about this before the appointment, not in a consent form on the day.
What can I eat afterwards?
Soft and cool for the first day or two — yogurt, soup once it has cooled, mashed potato, scrambled eggs, smoothies with a spoon rather than a straw. Avoid anything with small seeds or grains that can lodge in the socket, and skip smoking, straws, and vigorous rinsing for the first day.
Is removal covered by CDCP or insurance?
Wisdom tooth removal is a covered service under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and we bill CDCP directly. Some surgical removals need pre-approval, which we handle for you.
Private plans usually cover extractions, sometimes splitting simple and surgical removal into different categories. Bring your details and we will check before you commit — see fees and coverage.