Dental Services

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a fairly common procedure. You might feel nervous about it, but you can relax. It’s not as bad as you might think.

If you’ve been told you need your wisdom teeth removed, you could feel a little concerned. There’s no need to be anxious. Our team of gentle dentists make getting your wisdom teeth removed as easy and stress-free as possible. And having your wisdom teeth removed will put an end to the pain and discomfort that you may have been experiencing.

What is it?

Many people have problems with their wisdom teeth and need to get them removed. Wisdom teeth extraction is a common dental treatment. Wisdom teeth can often be removed at a general dental practice. Sometimes people will need to have their wisdom teeth removed by a specialist such as an oral surgeon.

If your wisdom teeth have become impacted or stuck under your gum, there can be further problems that may also be prevented by timely removal of your wisdom teeth. These include:

  • Infection in the gum flap on top of the tooth
  • Decay in the wisdom teeth
  • Damage to the surrounding teeth
  • A cyst that can threaten the health of the surrounding bone

When you visit the dentist, they will assess your wisdom teeth and the options for removing them. Sometimes a cut may be made in the gum to expose the whole tooth to help with its removal. In some cases, some of the surrounding bone might need to be removed and the tooth then divided into pieces for extraction.

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Need to know

Appointments

  • At least 2 appointments
  • At the first consultation visit your dentist will listen to your needs, examine your teeth and discuss the options with you
  • Usually you would have your wisdom teeth removed at your next appointment

How long it takes

This depends on the removal procedure and where it is done.

  • In a general dental practice the extraction will usually take around 30 to 60 minutes
  • At oral surgery clinics it will usually take around 45 to 90 minutes
  • For extraction under general anaesthetic at the hospital you will usually be at the hospital for around 2 to 3 hours

You may be asked about

  • Your dental history and medical history
  • Your symptoms
  • Your sedation preferences

Before your appointment

For the consultation you will not need any special preparation, but you should have knowledge to hand about your dental and medical history.

Before surgery with intravenous or IV sedation you should:

  • Take pre-operative medication at the time prescribed
  • Have someone accompany you and drive you to your appointment
  • Follow the pre-sedation fasting protocol given to you by your dentist
  • Wear something warm and comfortable with loose sleeves

Before having general anaesthetic at the hospital you should:

  • Arrange transportation to and from the hospital
  • Be at the hospital at the time allocated to you
  • Follow the pre-anaesthesia protocol given to you

After your appointment

If you have had any wisdom teeth extraction procedure done:

  • Use ice packs as much as possible to prevent swelling during the first 48 hours
  • Don't rinse your mouth out on the day of the surgery as it will cause bleeding
  • Don't smoke for as long as possible after surgery
  • Be careful with hot food and drinks
  • Eat a soft food diet
  • On the day after the removal, rinse three times a day after meals with warm, salty water
  • Use Savacol mouthwash from the following day, morning and night

If you have had surgery under sedation or general anaesthetic, you must:

  • Be accompanied home
  • Rest for around 2 to 4 hours following surgery
  • Not drive or operate machinery until the following day

Quick tip

It’s normal to experience some swelling and discomfort following wisdom teeth removal. We usually recommend taking a couple of days off work to rest. It’s also normal to experience some bleeding or slight oozing from the wounds after the extraction. Your dentist will give you gauze to help control the bleeding. You will need to bite down with gentle pressure for around 20 to 30 minutes if this happens.

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Have questions?

The cost of wisdom tooth removal can vary depending on the complexity. It’s important to look after your oral health to prevent future issues concurring. That’s why it’s often best to get your wisdom teeth removed. When you experience pain from your wisdom teeth, we recommend you visit a dentist. The dentist will assess your wisdom teeth and give you an estimate for the cost of removal.

Your dentist will assess the difficulty of extracting your wisdom teeth and discuss your options with you. Wisdom teeth can often be removed with a simple local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel any pain at all during the extraction procedure. We also offer different sedation options to help you feel more relaxed during the surgery or to make sure you have a limited memory of the procedure. If general anaesthetic is required, then this will be done by a specialist at a hospital.

After the operation, you may have experience some discomfort and swelling which can last up to a week. Pain medication will be prescribed to help you with the any discomfort. The swelling may make it difficult for you to open your mouth wide, and you will need to eat soft foods that don’t need a lot of chewing. You will also need to allow for rest after the surgery.

Yes, there are risks as there are with all operations. Your dentist will talk you through any problems that may arise from the removal. One of the risks is that you could develop an infection. This delays healing and can cause discomfort. To help prevent this, you’ll be given care instructions and sometimes an antibiotic to take during the healing period. Another risk is nerve damage close to the wisdom teeth. If nerves are damaged, they can cause a tingling or numbness of the chin, tongue or lip, on the side worked on. This numbness usually subsides over a few months. Sometimes during surgery, damage can occur to the adjacent teeth and fillings. Your dentist will advise you about your individual risks.