Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom Teeth Removal:
Everything You Need to Know

Wisdom teeth are four teeth known as third molar teeth that usually come through during a person’s late teens and twenties. Some wisdom teeth get stuck or do not erupt correctly, meaning they need to be surgically removed or extracted.

Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common dental procedures dentists perform and is safe and effective.

Continue reading to find out all you need to know about wisdom teeth extraction.

Signs You Might Need to Remove Wisdom Teeth

Some signs that you might need your wisdom teeth removed include:

They do not erupt (come through) correctly
They get stuck against the bone
They grow too long
Tooth, mouth and gum pain
Tooth infection and decay
Gum infection
You need more space in your mouth
Crowded and crooked teeth
Cysts in mouth

The Different Types of Anesthesia Used During the Procedure

The three main types of anesthesia used during wisdom teeth extraction include:

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is when an injection or gel is used to numb a specific part of the body. Unlike general anesthesia, it will not put you to sleep but instead blocks pain signals from being sent to your brain and ensures that you feel no pain from the area of your body that has been numbed.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia involves the administration of oral or IV medication that knocks you unconscious. General anesthesia may be used during wisdom teeth extraction if the procedure is more complicated and lengthy or if a patient suffers from high anxiety and stress levels.

Sedation

Sedation is usually applied in 3 different levels: mild, moderate and high.

Mild sedation:

Laughing gas (a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen) is applied through a mask. Laughing gas allows you to be conscious but relaxed during the procedure.

Moderate sedation:

Via an IV, the patient is placed into a semi-conscious state where they won’t feel any pain.

Heavy sedation:

Similar to moderate sedation, heavy sedation uses the same medication to place the patient into a state closer to unconsciousness, although still not completely unconscious.

Possible Risks

Although risks associated with anesthesia and sedation are very rare, there are still some risks associated with it. These risks may include:

What to Expect During the Procedure

Consultation

Before undergoing the wisdom teeth extraction procedure, you will meet with your dentist, who will explain what to expect regarding the procedure and recovery. This appointment is also where you will discuss your sedation options.

The Procedure

Sedation:
Local anesthesia or sedation is applied via an IV, needle or mask. This will ensure that your mouth is numb. In some more complicated cases, people may need to have general anesthesia.
Accessing the tooth:
Once your mouth has been numbed, the dentist will make a small cut in the gum to access the tooth. The tooth might need to be broken into smaller parts before being removed.
Pressure but no pain:
As the tooth/teeth are removed, you will probably feel some pressure as the tooth is rocked back and forth to widen the tooth socket. However, you shouldn’t feel any pain. If you do feel any pain, let your dentist know.
Stitches:
If an incision has been made in your gum, you will need dissolving stitches. These stitches will dissolve within ten days.
Duration of procedure:
The length of the procedure differs from case to case, depending on the patient, the number of teeth needing to be removed and the complexity of the procedure. However, on average, the procedure should take about 30-60 minutes to complete.

Pain Management After Surgery

Some of the best pain management for wisdom teeth extraction include:

Painkillers:

Painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen, which can be taken with food every 4-6 hours.

Ice:

Applying ice to your face will help to numb the affected area and soothe your gums. Only leave ice on your face for 20 minutes at a time.

Warm salt water:

Using warm salt water is an effective way to kill any bacteria in your mouth and soothe your sore gums.

Soft foods:

Eating foods like soup, mashed potato, ice cream, and jelly will ensure your mouth doesn’t have to work too hard to chew foods and will save you from much pain and discomfort.

Some of the common side effects after a wisdom teeth extraction include:

Swelling:

A normal side effect is swelling in your mouth, which usually eases within 2-3 days. Applying ice to your face will help the swelling go down faster.

Bleeding:

It is also normal for your gums to bleed within the first 24 hours after surgery. Use a gauze pad to soak up the blood.

General Pain:

It is completely normal to feel some amount of pain or discomfort after the local anesthesia wears off. Help manage the pain by taking painkillers, applying ice to your face and eating soft foods. If the pain continues or gets worse over time, contact your dentist.

Diet and Care Tips for a Smooth Recovery

To ensure that your mouth heals quickly, here are some care tips to follow after your wisdom teeth extraction:

Take painkillers as instructed by your dentist
Apply an icepack for 20 minutes at a time
Eat soft foods like soup, noodles, mashed potato, ice cream and jelly
Gurgle with warm salt water
Brush your teeth very lightly the first day after your procedure
Avoid mouthwash for several days
Avoid drinking alcohol or soft drinks
Take 1-2 days off work to rest
Avoid strenuous exercise
Contact your dentist if pain or bleeding persists or gets worse

Potential Risks and Complications

Although not common, there are some potential risks and complications that may arise after you get your wisdom teeth removed. These include:

Infection:

Symptoms include fevers, discharge from the wound site, persistent swelling, and bleeding.

Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection.

Dry socket (Alveolar Osteoeitis):

It’s normal for blood clots to form over the extraction site, which helps your mouth heal. In some cases, the blood clots may become dislodged, leaving your tooth nerve exposed. Symptoms include a constant throbbing pain in your jaw and an unpleasant smell or taste coming from the tooth socket.

Your dentist will help clean out the socket and apply a medicated dressing to it.

Nerve damage:

Your nerves may become damaged during the procedure due to the wisdom teeth being close to the inferior alveolar nerve. In most cases, this is often a temporary condition, but in some severe cases, it can be permanent. Symptoms include pain, tingling or numbness in the mouth.

This complication is rare, and your dentist will do everything possible to minimise the risk of nerve damage.

Limited mouth opening (trismus):

You may experience temporary trismus, which occurs when your jaw muscles go stiff, making it difficult to open your mouth fully.

Heat therapy, muscle relaxants, and pain relief can help alleviate the discomfort caused by trismus.

Pricing

The cost of a wisdom teeth extraction can vary significantly from person to person, depending on various factors, including:

How complex the case is
The number of wisdom teeth being removed
The anesthesia or sedation required (general anesthesia is more expensive than local anesthesia or sedation)
Whether you have your wisdom teeth removed at a dental clinic or in a hospital

Considering all these factors, a wisdom teeth extraction can cost anywhere from $250 to $599.

The above price are just an estimated amount. A Complete Oral Health Check needs to be be done to give final estimate on price

Living Without Wisdom Teeth

Some people are born without wisdom teeth, which is perfectly normal and healthy. According to the Dental Research Journal, 5-37% of people are missing wisdom teeth. This could be due to genetics, environment, chewing function and diet.

In history, wisdom teeth were believed to have been replacement teeth for our early ancestors, who had poorer oral hygiene and diets with more coarse foods. With the practice of better oral hygiene, the likelihood of losing teeth has greatly decreased, meaning that wisdom teeth don’t have much of a purpose anymore, and it is completely fine to live without them.

At Atria Dental, we are a family-run dental clinic that takes pride in treating our patients like family. Our philosophy is to support our patients with the best possible dental care that results in healthy teeth and beautiful smiles.

We have over 15 years of experience in the dental industry, including the removal of wisdom teeth. If you would like to find out more about our services and treatments, please contact us at 02 9160 7758 or visit our website: https://atriadentalgordon.com.au/