Wisdom Teeth Removal Brisbane

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop and emerge in the mouth. They are located at the back of the mouth and usually appear in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Wisdom teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. However, the timing can vary significantly among individuals, and some people may never develop wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are often removed because they can cause problems when there is insufficient space in the mouth for them to emerge properly. They can become impacted (trapped beneath the gum line), leading to pain, infection, and potential damage to adjacent teeth. Removal is also considered if they contribute to crowding or are difficult to clean, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease.

Signs that wisdom teeth may need to be removed include pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth, swelling or tenderness of the gums near the back teeth, recurring infections in the gum tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth, and difficulties with chewing or opening the mouth

The procedure for removing wisdom teeth varies depending on whether the teeth are erupted or impacted. For erupted wisdom teeth, the procedure is similar to a standard tooth extraction. For impacted wisdom teeth, a more complex surgical procedure may be required, involving making incisions in the gum to access and remove impacted teeth. Both procedures typically involve local anaesthesia, and sedation options may be available.

The dentist uses local anaesthesia to numb the area during the procedure, so the patient should not feel any pain. Post-procedure discomfort is common but usually manageable with pain medication. Some swelling and bruising may also occur but typically subside within a few days.

Local anaesthesia is commonly used to numb the area around the wisdom teeth. For more complex cases or for patients with dental anxiety, sedation options like nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedatives, or intravenous sedation can be used to provide relaxation and comfort with our oral surgeon.

The recovery period varies but generally takes a few days to a week. Patients can usually resume normal activities within a couple of days, but complete healing of the gums may take several weeks.

Potential complications from wisdom teeth include impaction, infection, damage to adjacent teeth, cysts or tumours, and gum disease. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to chronic pain and complications with orthodontic treatments designed to straighten other teeth.

Keeping wisdom teeth is an option if they are healthy, fully erupted, correctly positioned, and can be cleaned as part of daily hygiene practices. Regular dental check-ups are important to monitor the health and positioning of wisdom teeth.

Before you get your wisdom teeth out, you’ll talk to your dentist about your health and what will happen. They might tell you not to eat before the surgery if you’ll be getting something to make you sleep through it. Make sure you have someone to drive you home and give yourself time to rest after.

You might have some swelling and soreness after getting wisdom teeth out. This is normal. You can take medicine to help with the pain. Eat soft foods and take it easy for a few days. Your dentist will tell you how to clean your mouth and keep swelling down.

Stick to soft foods that are gentle on your mouth. Stay away from really hot or spicy foods or anything really hard. As you feel better, you can start eating other foods again.

Keep your mouth clean to prevent infection. Rinse gently with warm salt water, don’t smoke, and don’t drink alcohol. And don’t poke the spot where your tooth was with your tongue or fingers.

If you hurt a lot, bleed too much, stay swollen, get a fever, or think you might have an infection, call your dentist. Also, call them if you don’t start to feel better after a few days.

Sometimes, after getting your wisdom teeth out, the spot where the tooth was can get a bit sore and empty, called a dry socket. Or, you might get an infection, but it’s not common. There’s a small chance of hurting the nerves or bleeding a bit. The sleepy gas or meds we give you to relax can sometimes make you feel funny, but we watch you closely for that.

The price of getting your wisdom teeth out changes based on how tricky it is, how many teeth we need to remove, and the type of sleepy gas or meds we use. If you have dental insurance, they might pay for some of it. The best thing to do is ask us at the dental office, and we can tell you about the cost in Brisbane.

A lot of times, dental insurance will help pay for getting your wisdom teeth out, especially if you really need it. Each insurance is different, so you should check what yours covers or ask them.

Some dentists think wisdom teeth can push on your other teeth and make them crowded when they’re coming in. But not all dentists agree. It’s a good idea to talk to us about whether your wisdom teeth might make your teeth crowded

Yes, it’s pretty common for wisdom teeth to not come in the right way. A lot of people have this. We call it an impacted wisdom tooth. It means the tooth can’t come in all the way because there’s not enough room. It can make your mouth hurt or cause other problems, so that’s why we check them and sometimes need to take them out.