Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal
In most people, wisdom teeth only emerge partially or grow sideways, causing a wide variety of complications. They may even remain trapped underneath the gum and bone, being unable to break through into the mouth and causing a lot of pain. Most people will need to have their wisdom teeth removed to prevent other dental issues from forming.
Ashfield Dental Centre’s Dr Eylul Farahani has extracted thousands of wisdom teeth for her patients for over 12 years. She is an experienced, gentle and friendly dental surgeon who works with plenty of qualified dental and medical anaesthetists in Westmead and Sydney Dental Hospitals to make your wisdom teeth removal safe, easy and comfortable through sleep dentistry.
Your dentist will often be able to remove your wisdom teeth in the chair with a local anaesthetic. However, a more complex surgery under general anaesthetic may need to be performed if the teeth are severely impacted or beneath the bone. This will incur additional costs, which your dentist will discuss with you.
After they’re sure you won’t be in pain, your dentist will make an incision in your gum to expose the wisdom tooth. The incision will be widened enough to give your dentist clear access and your teeth will then be removed through the opening.
Once your wisdom teeth are removed, your dentist will stitch the incisions closed (although this isn’t always necessary) and place gauze over the extraction site to ease the bleeding.
After the procedure, your dentist will give you take-home care instructions. You’ll need to make sure you follow your dentist’s instructions to make sure the healing process goes to plan. A check-up appointment may be scheduled a few weeks from your surgery date to make sure your mouth is healing correctly.
The decision to remove your wisdom teeth needs to be made in consultation with a licensed dentist who is highly experienced in this area. Our team of dedicated professionals at Ashfield Dental Centre will work with you to help you make the best possible decisions about your wisdom teeth and answer any questions you may have about the procedure. To book a consultation, contact our Sydney clinic.
Signs that you may need your wisdom teeth removed include:
- Pain or swelling in the back of your mouth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums around the wisdom teeth
- Difficulty opening your mouth or chewing
- Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Cysts or tumours near the impacted teeth
- Crowding of other teeth
- Frequent infections or gum disease around the wisdom teeth
A wisdom tooth removal procedure at Ashfield Dental Centre typically involves:
- Consultation: An Ashfield dentist or oral surgeon will evaluate your teeth and take X-rays to plan the extraction.
- Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia is administered to numb the area around the teeth. Sedation or general anaesthesia may be used for more complex cases.
- Incision: If the tooth is impacted, a small incision is made in the gum to expose the tooth and bone.
- Removal: The tooth is carefully extracted. In some cases, the tooth may be divided into smaller pieces to facilitate removal.
- Stitches: The extraction site may be stitched closed to promote healing.
- Gauze Placement: Gauze is placed over the extraction site to control bleeding and help form a blood clot.
Wisdom tooth removal is not typically painful due to the use of local anaesthesia, which numbs the area around the teeth. Patients may feel pressure or movement during the procedure, but not pain. After the anaesthesia wears off, some discomfort or pain is normal, but this can be managed with prescribed over-the-counter pain medications.
Recovery from wisdom tooth removal typically takes about 3 to 7 days. Most people can return to normal activities within a few days, but complete healing of the extraction site may take a few weeks. Swelling and discomfort usually peak within 2 to 3 days after the procedure and then gradually subside.
A dentist at Ashfield Dental Centre will discuss potential risks and complications with you prior to the procedure. Some of these include:
- Dry socket (when the blood clot dislodges from the extraction site)
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage (resulting in temporary or permanent numbness)
- Swelling and bruising
- Sinus issues (if the upper wisdom teeth are involved)
- Jaw stiffness or difficulty opening the mouth
Follow your Ashfield dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions regarding fasting if general anaesthesia or sedation will be used. Arrange for transportation home after the procedure, especially if you will be sedated, and stock up on soft foods and liquids for the recovery period. Ensure you have any prescribed medications ready for use after the procedure, and avoid smoking and alcohol before the procedure as advised by your dentist.
Your dentist in Ashfield will provide detailed aftercare instructions for you to follow after the procedure. These will include:
- Bite on gauze to control bleeding for 30-40 minutes after the procedure.
- Avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for the first 24 hours.
- Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling.
- Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed.
- Eat soft foods and avoid hard, chewy, or spicy foods.
- Gently rinse your mouth with salt water after 24 hours to keep the extraction site clean.
- Avoid rigorous physical activity for a few days.
- Follow up with your dentist as recommended.
Yes, if not removed, wisdom teeth can cause various problems, such as pain and discomfort, crowding and shifting of other teeth, increased risk of cavities and gum disease, infections or abscesses, damage to adjacent teeth or surrounding bone, and cysts or tumours developing around impacted wisdom teeth. If you’re experiencing pain from your wisdom teeth, schedule an appointment with an Ashfield dentist.
At Ashfield Dental Centre, we handle wisdom tooth removal procedures with a focus on patient comfort and safety:
- Consultation: Comprehensive evaluation and X-rays to plan the extraction.
- Expertise: Experienced dentists and oral surgeons perform the procedure.
- Anaesthesia Options: Various anaesthesia options, including local anaesthesia, sedation, or general anaesthesia, to ensure a pain-free experience.
- Advanced Techniques: Use of modern techniques and equipment to minimise discomfort and recovery time.
- Post-Procedure Care: Detailed aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.
- Patient Support: Compassionate care and support throughout the process to address any concerns or questions.