Wanneer moet een (verstands)kies eruit?
A wisdom tooth does not need to be removed as a precaution if it has come through properly and causes no problems. Removal is necessary in case of recurring inflammation of the gum around the tooth, cavities that cannot be treated properly, damage to the tooth in front of it, or a cyst. We only extract other teeth when restoring them is no longer possible or sensible.
The role of the CBCT scan
On an ordinary X-ray, a lower wisdom tooth sometimes appears to lie over the nerve in the lower jaw. A CBCT scan shows in 3D how close the roots really are to the nerve. This allows us to assess the risk better and decide whether the procedure can be done at our practice or is better carried out by an oral surgeon.
The procedure and aftercare
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic. Afterwards, you receive a piece of gauze to bite on and written aftercare instructions. You may have some pain and swelling for the first few days; an ordinary painkiller usually helps. If stitches are needed, they are usually dissolvable and gone after about 14 days; non-dissolvable stitches are removed after about 14 days.
Costs and insurance
The costs depend on how complicated the extraction is. For extracting a tooth, including a wisdom tooth that has come through properly, the indication is €56.26 to €97.52; an X-ray is often also needed to assess the position of the roots. Surgical removal of a wisdom tooth that is (partly) embedded in the bone or under the gum is a more extensive procedure and costs more. For this, you always receive a cost estimate in advance. Under 18, extractions are covered by basic health insurance; for adults, supplementary insurance often reimburses part of the costs. A procedure by an oral surgeon is covered by basic health insurance, with the deductible (eigen risico) applying.