Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth are your third molars that typically come through (erupt) between the ages of 18 and 35, though sometimes they might erupt before or after this age bracket… or not at all. Your molars are your widest and strongest teeth, used for grinding food. You have four wisdom teeth with two on your upper jaw and two on your lower jaw. They’re often your last teeth to erupt, which explains the term ‘wisdom’ teeth. Most individuals have their wisdom teeth removed to prevent or solve discomfort or oral health issues, but it’s not always a requirement.

If your wisdom teeth erupt normally, there’s usually no need for dental surgery, but in many adults, they erupt at abnormal angles. Wisdom teeth might erupt toward your second molars, toward the back of your mouth, at right angles or they may only partially erupt. A tooth that doesn’t erupt properly is often called an impacted tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth typically cause the most discomfort in our patients. 

We strongly recommend removing them if their position could cause detriment in the future, as your mouth can function normally without them. Some of the following problems can occur if wisdom teeth are left to their own devices:

• Damage to other teeth: If your wisdom teeth erupt toward your second molars, there’s a chance they can damage those molars and also increase the risk of infection. 
• Cysts: When your wisdom tooth develops, it grows within a sac in your jawbone. This sac can fill with fluid, causing a cyst and leading to further implications, such as nerve, jawbone and tooth damage. 
• Decay: Impacted wisdom teeth usually decay at a quicker rate than other teeth. This is often because impacted teeth can trap bacteria in the gum flaps or crevices they create and are generally more difficult to clean. 
• Gum disease: Because impacted wisdom teeth can cause bacteria build-up and are difficult to clean, they might increase the risk of gum disease. The disease is pericoronitis, which is essentially periodontitis, except it affects the specific gum tissue surrounding impacted teeth.

After reading about the potential causes of ignored impacted wisdom teeth, you might worry about whether you require wisdom tooth removal. Fortunately, there are some telltale signs, but to be 100% certain, consider booking an appointment with one of our highly experienced dentists. Here are some signs indicating you might require wisdom tooth extraction:

• tenderness or pain in the back of your jaw
• visible cysts
• inflamed and red gums
• jaw pain and stiffness
• issues with your sinus
• bad breath
• crooked or overcrowded teeth

Before exploring the typical stages of wisdom teeth removal, it’s helpful to understand that not all procedures may be identical. Some procedures may differ depending on patients and their dental needs. The sedation options are typically what vary the most. Some patients can have wisdom teeth extraction under local anaesthesia while others may require general anaesthesia. You don’t have to worry about figuring this out, though. Our dentists will help you decide what’s best for you during a thorough consultation. 

During the wisdom teeth extraction procedure, you can expect the following:

Pre-extraction

Before the wisdom tooth extraction, you’ll have an in-depth consultation with one of our expert dentists. They’ll explain every step of the procedure, so there won’t be any surprises awaiting you on the day of surgery! Before the tooth extraction process begins, your dentist applies a topical anesthetic and a local anesthetic injection to numb the area.

During extraction

You don’t have to worry too much about the actual tooth extraction phase, as you won’t be able to feel anything or you might not even be awake. If you’re under local anesthetic, you might feel slight pressure during the extraction. This is normal, though, and shouldn’t cause much discomfort at all. 

We encourage you to bring your favourite podcast or music playlist to help you zone out during the procedure and separate yourself from any noises that may occur around you. As for the actual wisdom tooth removal, the process can depend on the state of the tooth, such as if it’s fully or partially erupted. 

Post-extraction

Depending on the tooth extraction process, you may have a few stitches to speed up your gum healing. It’s usually normal for your extraction sites to ooze for a bit after the surgery, so you’ll likely have a bit of gauze to absorb any slight bleeding. After the procedure, our dentists will explain your specific aftercare treatment. You’ll also have some of our friendly staff contacting you after the procedure to ensure you’re recovering well. 

After roughly a fortnight, you can opt for a follow-up appointment where our experienced team performs a thorough examination to ensure your oral health and recovery. But often we find that this is unnecessary, as healing is usually uneventful because of the gentle way in which Dr. Oliver Cvekus removes the teeth.

Here are some tips to consider for your aftercare treatment that can help you recover quickly:

• Apply ice packs: Icing your cheeks near your removed wisdom teeth can ease swelling, pain and bruising. 
• Follow your dentist’s pain relief prescription: Our dentists may provide you with a pain relief medication plan, which can help you manage any pain you might experience following the procedure. 
• Maintain a clean mouth: Maintaining a clean mouth can speed up the gum recovery process, but take extreme care while brushing and make sure you only rinse your mouth 24 hours after the surgery. 
• Eat soft foods: Eating healthy and gaining sufficient vitamins and minerals can speed up the recovery process, but make sure you eat soft non-sticky foods, like soups and smoothies. Also, it’s a good idea to stay away from grains as they can find their way into tight spots and can cause post-operative infections.