Your wisdom teeth are usually the last teeth to emerge in your mouth, typically showing up in your early 20s to late 30s. While it is true that not all wisdom teeth cause problems, they usually do – either upon arrival or in the future. According to some estimates, over 80 percent of wisdom teeth need to be removed.
If your wisdom teeth emerge in a wrong position or at an angle, they can cause severe pain, infections, and other complications. The good news is, there are no tangible benefits to keeping your wisdom teeth, and removing those remains one of the better options of making sure they won’t cause a big headache later on.
At our Molonglo Dental Canberra clinic, we offer a proper assessment of your wisdom teeth through a thorough oral check with the aid of a dental x-ray. This would help our dental professionals determine whether your wisdom tooth is erupting abnormally and whether your neighboring teeth would be affected by its emergence. If there are signs to suggest a Wisdom Tooth Impaction (see below for meaning), the best option for avoiding future complications – or relieving ongoing pain – is for it to be safely removed. If your Wisdom Tooth is impacted, we will recommend a minimally invasive technique and clinically safe sedation dentistry to administer the removal process.
Whether you are in your late teens, experiencing symptoms of an eruption, or simply unsure about the whole thing, it is probably a good idea to seek a professional Wisdom Teeth Assessment.
We offer various pain free technique for safe removal of Wisdom Teeth in our Canberra dental clinic. So why not call our friendly team at Molonglo Dental Surgery on 02 6287 1222 for more information today.
What is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
Your wisdom tooth is said to be impacted when it has emerged out of alignment, remained stuck below the gum’s surface or has failed to erupt at all. A wisdom tooth impaction is usually caused by insufficient space on the jawbone to accommodate the incoming tooth or improper angulation of its emergence.
Why should I extract my wisdom tooth?
If you leave an impacted wisdom tooth unremoved, it can cause many dental discomforts, including Severe pain, infection, swollen gums, jaw pain, headache, bad breath, stiffened jaw and even difficulty in opening and closing your mouth. Prolonged infection can also lead to cysts and bone damage.
Another reason for early wisdom teeth removal has to do with the fact that the wisdom tooth becomes denser and its roots grow deeper with age. That means the older you get, the more complex and risky the Wisdom Tooth Removal process becomes, and the longer it takes for post-surgery healing.
It is thus advisable that patients remove their wisdom teeth in their early adulthood, preferably before they turn 30.
Not sure if wisdom teeth removal will benefit you? Why not book a consultation at our Canberra clinic for Wisdom Teeth Assessment today? Call our friendly team at Molonglo Dental Surgery on 02 6287 1222.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Your wisdom teeth would need to be removed if they have become impacted, meaning they can’t fully break through the gums. This can lead to pain, infections, damage to nearby teeth, and crowding of your other teeth. If your wisdom teeth are only partially erupted, they create little pockets where food and bacteria get stuck, causing decay and gum disease. Since there’s no real benefit to keeping wisdom teeth to begin with, dentists usually recommend removal when they become impacted or should the dentist detect the likelihood of impacted wisdom teeth occurring in the future.
In Canberra, wisdom teeth removal costs typically range from $300 to $600 per tooth. However, depending on the complexity of the extraction, and whether general anaesthesia is required, the cost can potentially reach $1,500 to $3,000 per tooth.
There are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. These red flags include: Pain or tenderness at the back of your mouth, especially around the wisdom teeth; swollen, red, or infected gums around partially erupted teeth; jaw stiffness or trouble opening your mouth fully; bad breath or a nasty taste near the impacted area; recurring sinus issues. If any of this sounds familiar, give Molonglo Dental Surgery a call. Even if you’re not in pain, we can check your wisdom teeth during regular visits and let you know if preventive removal is a good idea.
It takes between 20 to 60 mins to remove each wisdom tooth. During the procedure, you won’t feel a thing. At Molonglo Dental Surgery, we use local anaesthetic to numb the area completely. You’ll feel some pressure and movement, but no sharp pain. If you’re nervous, we also offer sedation options like valium and nitrous oxide (happy gas) to keep you calm. Patients may experience some soreness as the anaesthetic wears off, however most people would describe it as discomfort rather than severe pain. We’ll prescribe pain medication to manage it. Following the post-op instructions – for example, taking your meds, using ice packs, eating soft foods, and keeping the area clean, etc. — enables faster healing with less hassle.
Dentists usually recommend wisdom teeth removal between 14 and 22 if it’s needed. At that age, the roots are yet to be fully formed, making extraction much easier and healing faster with fewer complications. The key is to deal with your wisdom teeth issues before they get serious. That’s why regular check-ups are so important. Your Canberra dentist can help to monitor the development of your wisdom teeth with x-rays and suggest the best time for removal if needed.
Most people feel back to normal within 3 to 7 days, though full healing of the extraction sites usually takes a few weeks. The first 24 hours following surgery are the toughest, with swelling and discomfort peaking around day two or three before getting better. You can usually return to work or school in 2 to 3 days. Once again, you can speed up the healing process by following all the post-op instructions – for example, taking your meds, using ice packs, eating soft foods, and keeping the area clean, etc.
If your wisdom teeth have fully erupted, are in the right position, you might be able to keep them. It still pays to let your Canberra dentist check on them during regular visits with a clinical exam and x-rays. Even if they’re fine now, we’ll talk about whether preventive removal is a good idea based on their position, your jaw structure, and the risk of future problems.