Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. In modern jaws there is often not enough room for them, so they come through at an angle, stay partly under the gum, or never emerge at all. Not every wisdom tooth needs removing — if it has fully erupted, sits correctly and can be cleaned, it can stay.
When removal is needed
- Recurring gum inflammation over the tooth (pericoronitis) — the gum flap traps food and bacteria.
- The tooth presses on its neighbour and causes decay there on a surface a brush cannot reach.
- Decay on the wisdom tooth itself, where a good filling is hard to place.
- The tooth is partly erupted and cannot be kept clean.
- A cyst or focus of inflammation on the radiograph.
Prices in Tallinn
- Wisdom tooth removal — from €60
- Removal of average difficulty — €80
- Removal of a partially erupted tooth — up to €250
- Difficult removal over 30 minutes — €40 for each further 30 minutes
- First consultation with imaging — €30
The price is set by the position of the tooth: a fully erupted tooth comes out in minutes, while one lying at an angle in bone requires an incision and sectioning of the tooth.
How the procedure works
- Imaging. A radiograph shows the shape and position of the roots and their relation to the lower jaw nerve.
- Anaesthetic. Local — there is no pain during the procedure, a feeling of pressure is normal.
- Removal. A simple tooth comes out whole; a more difficult one is sectioned so that less bone has to be removed.
- Sutures. If needed, sutures are placed and removed after 7–10 days.
Recovery day by day
- First 2 hours. Keep the gauze on the wound, do not eat or drink anything hot.
- Days 1–2. Swelling is at its worst. Cold compress on the outside, 15 minutes at a time. Do not rinse — the blood clot must stay in the socket.
- Days 3–4. Swelling starts to subside. Gentle salt-water rinsing can begin.
- Days 5–7. Most patients are back to normal life. Sutures are removed.
What to avoid
- Smoking and drinking through a straw — the suction pulls the clot out of the socket and causes a very painful dry socket.
- Hot food and drink on the first day.
- Physical exertion and sauna for 2–3 days.
- Alcohol together with painkillers.
When to seek help immediately
If pain instead intensifies on day 3–4, a bad taste appears, or your temperature goes above 38 °C, it may be dry socket or infection. Both are easily treated but need an appointment.
If a wisdom tooth is troubling you or hurts, book an appointment at Unidenta in Tallinn — we will take an image and tell you whether removal is genuinely necessary.