Oral Surgery and Wisdom Teeth

Oral surgery and wisdom teeth are a concern for many of our patients but we offer expert removal at utmost comfort. Both of our branches have dentists that are experts at such surgical procedures and have a wealth of experience with complicated extractions.

We offer IV sedation to make the process more comfortable than you might imagine. We aim to acknowledge all your concerns and ease any fears you may have about undergoing a surgical procedure.

What are Wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth or your third molar are the very back teeth on either side of the upper and lower jaws. They are the last to erupt and usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25 years old.

The average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth designed to hold only 28 teeth!

Why remove your wisdom teeth?

When your wisdom teeth align properly and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not always happen.

The removal of wisdom teeth is necessary when your wisdom teeth are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum and even remain trapped (impacted) beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth may take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

The problems associated with impacted wisdom teeth, are such as:

• Pain occuring as a dull ache in the back of the mouth, to a severe debilitating experience.
• Bacteria and plaque build-up.
• Development of cysts.
• Tumour development, infection and jaw and gum disease.
• Crowding of mouth and pushing straight teeth out of alignment.
• Difficulties in cleaning the back teeth.

What's involved?

The procedure for removing wisdom teeth varies depending on the exact positioning of your wisdom teeth and the difficulty of extraction. A consultation is required to determine what your personalised procedure would involve. For insurance purposes, a referral to a specialist maybe required which we can help arrange. Please feel free to discuss any concerns you may have about wisdom teeth or oral surgery.

When is the best time to have wisdom teeth removed?

Removing them before they have a chance to cause complications may work best for you. Our team are here to help and advise you on your treatment options to ensure your experience is productive and painless.

 

What can I expect during the healing process?

During the healing process, you may experience initial swelling and discomfort in your gums and jaw, making it wise to plan on "taking it easy" for a few days following the surgery. Discomfort and swelling can be relieved by placing ice packs on your face. We may also prescibe pain medication to increase your comfort during the healing process and antibiotics if necessary.

 

Remember to drink plenty of liquids and limit your diet to soft foods after the bleeding stops and avoid hard or crunchy foods for a couple of weeks.