Wisdom Tooth Surgery

Wisdom teeth surgery is very common to alleviate pain from impacted wisdom teeth

The most common reason for a patient to be referred for wisdom teeth surgery is due to the wisdom teeth becoming impacted. As well as being very painful, impacted wisdom teeth can cause an array of issues such as infection, tooth decay and damage to neighbouring teeth and gums. Sometimes wisdom teeth may need to be removed due to disease or the presence of cysts and tumours around the wisdom teeth. Your orthodontist may even refer your for wisdom tooth surgery either before or after orthodontic treatment.

Symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth

Intense pain and soreness in the mouth, which may radiate to the ear or throat
Infection in the mouth
Facial swelling
Swelling of the gum line in the back of the mouth

Why should wisdom teeth be removed?

For some people, the jaw is large enough for the wisdom teeth to erupt properly without surgical intervention. However, many people simply don’t have enough space in the jaw for the wisdom teeth to erupt without affecting the neighbouring teeth and soft tissue.

Wisdom teeth are evolutionary remnants that are no longer necessary for our modern diet and lifestyle. Removal of wisdom teeth won’t have any detrimental affect on your ability to eat, speak and chew. When a patient experiences crowding due to eruption of the wisdom teeth, the wisdom teeth can run into the neighbouring teeth. This is known as wisdom tooth impaction.

An impacted tooth can cause a lot of pain and if not removed, you may develop a range of health issues.

Wisdom tooth removal procedure

Generally, the procedure for wisdom tooth removal is no different to the extraction of other teeth. Depending on the severity of the case, and the location and position of the wisdom tooth, it may need to be either removed in one piece or sectioned prior to removal. In more complex cases, an incision may need to be made and sometimes bone can be removed to aid in the extraction process.

The whole procedure generally takes between 30-60 minutes and depending on the patient, will be completed under local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic or IV sedation.

Wisdom tooth surgery recovery

Your surgeon will provide you with a detailed outline of post-op instructions during your initial consultation. If you were given general anaesthesia or IV sedation you should arrange for someone to pick you up from your surgery. You will be instructed to bite down on a gauge pad to reduce bleeding following surgery and you will provided will appropriate tools to keep the site clean. It is important that a blood clot forms at the site of the extraction in order to stop bleeding. If the blood clot is washed away, you may develop a dry socket, which can be quite painful. In this case, you should contact your surgeon immediately.

Prescriptions for painkillers and antibiotics will be provided to help manage any pain or discomfort in the days following surgery.

Wisdom tooth surgery at OMFS

If you notice pain, swelling and discomfort around the back of the mouth, you may require wisdom tooth surgery. Contact us today or if you have been referred for wisdom tooth surgery, fill out our patient registration form here!

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Wisdom tooth surgery FAQs

Does everyone have wisdom teeth?

No, although most people develop wisdom teeth either during their late teen years or in early adulthood, not everyone gets their third set of molars. Your dentist will be able to see if you have wisdom teeth, and in some cases an x-ray may be taken to identify their exact position and alignment. Wisdom teeth are not essential for survival, so it is not a problem if you never develop this particular set of teeth.

Do you have to remove wisdom teeth?

No, it is not always necessary to have wisdom teeth removed. Sometimes wisdom teeth remain healthy and aligned, and can remain in the mouth without causing any problems. In some cases, however, wisdom teeth can lead to a range of oral health problems. Wisdom teeth generally need to be removed in cases where they have become impacted as this can cause a number of issues, including infection, tooth decay and damage to the other teeth. The wisdom teeth may also need to be removed if they erupt at the wrong angle, or when the jaw is not big enough to accommodate any extra teeth.

What age do wisdom teeth come through?

Wisdom teeth generally come through in the late teenage years or in the early twenties, between the ages of 17 and 25 years old. They are located at the back of the mouth, and are generally identified with the use of an x-ray. You may not be aware that you have wisdom teeth, particularly if they have not caused you any oral health issues, or if they have remained under the gum line. Your dentist will be able to identify your wisdom teeth and let you know if you require removal surgery or not.

What are impacted wisdom teeth?

What are some of the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?

What does the wisdom tooth removal procedure involve?

In most cases, the procedure for the removal of wisdom teeth is no different to the extraction of other teeth. A wisdom tooth may need to be removed in either one piece or sectioned prior to removal, depending on the severity of the case as well as the location and position of the tooth. In complex cases, it might be necessary for your dentist to make an incision and remove some bone to aid the extraction process.

03 9347 3788

03 9347 3788