Treatments
Wisdom Teeth Removal
The extraction of wisdom teeth is an action performed with such regularity that it has become a somewhat banal occurrence. Although you may be feeling apprehensive, rest assured that the process is not as unpleasant as you might imagine. If you have received news that your wisdom teeth must be extracted, you may be experiencing some trepidation. However, do not fret, for our team of considerate dentists are experts in making the removal of your wisdom teeth a seamless and worry-free experience.
The extraction of wisdom teeth is an action performed with such regularity that it has become a somewhat banal occurrence. Although you may be feeling apprehensive, rest assured that the process is not as unpleasant as you might imagine. If you have received news that your wisdom teeth must be extracted, you may be experiencing some trepidation. However, do not fret, for our team of considerate dentists are experts in making the removal of your wisdom teeth a seamless and worry-free experience.
What Is It?
- Gum flap on top of tooth infection
- Deterioration in the wisdom teeth
- Damage to the teeth nearby
- A cyst that could be harmful to the nearby bone’s health
What Is It?
Many people need to have their wisdom teeth removed due to problems they are having. The removal of wisdom teeth is a frequent dental procedure. The removal of wisdom teeth by a professional, such as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, is occasionally necessary.
Timely removal of your wisdom teeth may also help to avoid additional issues if they have gotten impacted or lodged under your gums.
These include:
- Gum flap on top of tooth infection
- Deterioration in the wisdom teeth
- Damage to the teeth nearby
- A cyst that could be harmful to the nearby bone’s health
Your dentist will evaluate your wisdom teeth and your alternatives for having them removed when you visit. To aid with the removal of a tooth, an incision may occasionally be created in the gum to expose the entire tooth. In other circumstances, the tooth may need to be extracted in parts after some of the surrounding bone has been removed.
Need To Know
Appointments
- 1 or 2 appointments
- At the first consultation visit your dentist will listen to your needs, examine your teeth and discuss the options with you
- Usually you would have your wisdom teeth removed at your next appointment
How long it takes
This depends on the removal procedure and where it is done.
- In a general dental practice the extraction will usually take around 30 to 60 minutes
- At oral surgery clinics it will usually take around 45 to 90 minutes
- For extraction under general anaesthetic at the hospital you will usually be at the hospital for around 2 to 3 hours
Before your appointment
For the consultation you will not need any special preparation, but you should have knowledge to hand about your dental and medical history.
Before surgery with local anesthesia you should:
- Take pre-surgery medication at the time if prescribed
- Have someone accompany you and drive you to your appointment
- Follow the eating/fasting protocol given to you by your dentist
- Wear something warm and comfortable with loose sleeves.
After your appointment
If you have had any wisdom teeth extraction procedure done:
- Use ice packs as much as possible to prevent swelling during the first 48 hours
- Don’t rinse your mouth out on the day of the surgery as it will cause bleeding
- Don’t smoke for as long as possible after surgery
- Be careful with hot food and drinks
- Eat a soft food diet
- On the day after the removal, rinse three times a day after meals with warm, salty water
- Use prescribed mouthwash from the following day, morning and night
You may be asked about
- Your dental history and medical history
- Your symptoms
- Your sedation preferences
Quick tip
- It’s normal to experience some swelling and discomfort following wisdom teeth removal. We usually recommend taking a couple of days off work to rest. It’s also normal to experience some bleeding or slight oozing from the wounds after the extraction. Your dentist will give you gauze to help control the bleeding. You will need to bite down with gentle pressure for around 20 to 30 minutes if this happens.
Need To Know
Appointments
- 1 or 2 appointments
- At the first consultation visit your dentist will listen to your needs, examine your teeth and discuss the options with you
- Usually you would have your wisdom teeth removed at your next appointment
How long it takes
- In a general dental practice the extraction will usually take around 30 to 60 minutes
- At oral surgery clinics it will usually take around 45 to 90 minutes
- For extraction under general anaesthetic at the hospital you will usually be at the hospital for around 2 to 3 hours
Before your appointment
- Take pre-surgery medication at the time if prescribed
- Have someone accompany you and drive you to your appointment
- Follow the eating/fasting protocol given to you by your dentist
- Wear something warm and comfortable with loose sleeves.
After your appointment
- Use ice packs as much as possible to prevent swelling during the first 48 hours
- Don’t rinse your mouth out on the day of the surgery as it will cause bleeding
- Don’t smoke for as long as possible after surgery
- Be careful with hot food and drinks
- Eat a soft food diet
- On the day after the removal, rinse three times a day after meals with warm, salty water
- Use prescribed mouthwash from the following day, morning and night
You may be asked about
- Your dental history and medical history
- Your symptoms
- Your sedation preferences
Quick tip
- It’s normal to experience some swelling and discomfort following wisdom teeth removal. We usually recommend taking a couple of days off work to rest. It’s also normal to experience some bleeding or slight oozing from the wounds after the extraction. Your dentist will give you gauze to help control the bleeding. You will need to bite down with gentle pressure for around 20 to 30 minutes if this happens.
FAQs
The cost of wisdom tooth removal can vary depending on the complexity. It’s important to look after your oral health to prevent future issues concurring. That’s why it’s often best to get your wisdom teeth removed. When you experience pain from your wisdom teeth, we recommend you visit a dentist. The dentist will assess your wisdom teeth and give you an estimate for the cost of removal.
Not always. It is only when these wisdom teeth are impacted in such a way that they start causing crowding, infections, decay and other dental issues that they should be removed. Each case is individually assessed by a dentist or an oral surgeon, and a suggestion is given thereafter.
Avoid hard food as well as those which are difficult to swallow, but feed on soft dishes such as yoghurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, scrambled eggs, soups (cooled) and applesauce. Avoid crunchy foods and avoid spicy foods or hot foods as they might cause problems in this wound or loosen the blood clot.
The majority of people have four wisdom teeth that show up in four corners of their mouth (top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right). Nevertheless, they can be less, more or even none. This depends on the genetics and the development of the jaws.
Dentists have also become very reserved in advising preventive removal of wisdom teeth where there is no apparent issue. Wisdom teeth may not require extraction when they are healthy, have erupted and are consequently well aligned with each other, and are not associated with any problem. Secondly, unwanted surgery may cause unnecessary risks.
The process of extraction is estimated to be approximately 20-45 minutes for all four teeth. The period might take longer or shorter depending on the eruption of the teeth, being intact or impacted.
Your dentist will assess the difficulty of extracting your wisdom teeth and discuss your options with you. Wisdom teeth can often be removed with a simple local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel any pain at all during the extraction procedure. We also offer different sedation options to help you feel more relaxed during the surgery or to make sure you have a limited memory of the procedure. If general anaesthetic is required, then this will be done by a specialist at a hospital.
After the operation, you may have experience some discomfort and swelling which can last up to a week. Pain medication will be prescribed to help you with the any discomfort. The swelling may make it difficult for you to open your mouth wide, and you will need to eat soft foods that don’t need a lot of chewing. You will also need to allow for rest after the surgery.
Yes, there are risks as there are with all operations. Your dentist will talk you through any problems that may arise from the removal. One of the risks is that you could develop an infection. This delays healing and can cause discomfort. To help prevent this, you’ll be given care instructions and sometimes an antibiotic to take during the healing period. Another risk is nerve damage close to the wisdom teeth. If nerves are damaged, they can cause a tingling or numbness of the chin, tongue or lip, on the side worked on. This numbness usually subsides over a few months. Sometimes during surgery, damage can occur to the adjacent teeth and fillings. Your dentist will advise you about your individual risks.
Within a couple of hours after the surgery, you will still be able to talk. However, during the first 24 hours of the procedure, it is advisable not to talk too much to prevent interference with the healing process and previously partitioned blood clots. Additionally, talking is often a bad idea in the first few days because it may extend swelling or pain.
It is normal that the stiffness and soreness in the jaw will begin to resolve within 3-5 days, although full jaw motion can be delayed up to 10-14 days, depending on the difficulty of the extraction and the rate of healing.
The first 24-48 hours should reduce swelling by using an ice pack on your face. Then, make the switch to a warm compress to ease the stiffness and increase the blood flow. Remaining hydrated, having your head kept at an elevated position, and getting your dentist’s instructions on maintenance will also assist.
FAQs
01. How much does it cost to get wisdom teeth removed?
The cost of wisdom tooth removal can vary depending on the complexity. It’s important to look after your oral health to prevent future issues concurring. That’s why it’s often best to get your wisdom teeth removed. When you experience pain from your wisdom teeth, we recommend you visit a dentist. The dentist will assess your wisdom teeth and give you an estimate for the cost of removal.
02. Is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth?
The process of extraction is estimated to be approximately 20-45 minutes for all four teeth. The period might take longer or shorter depending on the eruption of the teeth, being intact or impacted.
03. What to eat after wisdom teeth removal?
Avoid hard food as well as those which are difficult to swallow, but feed on soft dishes such as yoghurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, scrambled eggs, soups (cooled) and applesauce. Avoid crunchy foods and avoid spicy foods or hot foods as they might cause problems in this wound or loosen the blood clot.
04. How many wisdom teeth we have?
The majority of people have four wisdom teeth that show up in four corners of their mouth (top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right). Nevertheless, they can be less, more or even none. This depends on the genetics and the development of the jaws.
05. Why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth?
Dentists have also become very reserved in advising preventive removal of wisdom teeth where there is no apparent issue. Wisdom teeth may not require extraction when they are healthy, have erupted and are consequently well aligned with each other, and are not associated with any problem. Secondly, unwanted surgery may cause unnecessary risks.
06. How long does wisdom teeth removal take?
The process of extraction is estimated to be approximately 20-45 minutes for all four teeth. The period might take longer or shorter depending on the eruption of the teeth, being intact or impacted.
07. Will I feel pain during the operation?
Your dentist will assess the difficulty of extracting your wisdom teeth and discuss your options with you. Wisdom teeth can often be removed with a simple local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel any pain at all during the extraction procedure. We also offer different sedation options to help you feel more relaxed during the surgery or to make sure you have a limited memory of the procedure. If general anaesthetic is required, then this will be done by a specialist at a hospital.
08. How will I feel after the operation?
After the operation, you may have experience some discomfort and swelling which can last up to a week. Pain medication will be prescribed to help you with the any discomfort. The swelling may make it difficult for you to open your mouth wide, and you will need to eat soft foods that don’t need a lot of chewing. You will also need to allow for rest after the surgery.
09. Are there any risks with this surgery?
Yes, there are risks as there are with all operations. Your dentist will talk you through any problems that may arise from the removal. One of the risks is that you could develop an infection. This delays healing and can cause discomfort. To help prevent this, you’ll be given care instructions and sometimes an antibiotic to take during the healing period. Another risk is nerve damage close to the wisdom teeth. If nerves are damaged, they can cause a tingling or numbness of the chin, tongue or lip, on the side worked on. This numbness usually subsides over a few months. Sometimes during surgery, damage can occur to the adjacent teeth and fillings. Your dentist will advise you about your individual risks.
10. How soon can you talk after wisdom teeth removal?
Within a couple of hours after the surgery, you will still be able to talk. However, during the first 24 hours of the procedure, it is advisable not to talk too much to prevent interference with the healing process and previously partitioned blood clots. Additionally, talking is often a bad idea in the first few days because it may extend swelling or pain.
11. When does jaw stiffness go away after wisdom teeth removal?
It is normal that the stiffness and soreness in the jaw will begin to resolve within 3-5 days, although full jaw motion can be delayed up to 10-14 days, depending on the difficulty of the extraction and the rate of healing.
12. How to reduce swelling after wisdom teeth removal?
The first 24-48 hours should reduce swelling by using an ice pack on your face. Then, make the switch to a warm compress to ease the stiffness and increase the blood flow. Remaining hydrated, having your head kept at an elevated position, and getting your dentist’s instructions on maintenance will also assist.
FAQs
The cost of wisdom tooth removal can vary depending on the complexity. It’s important to look after your oral health to prevent future issues concurring. That’s why it’s often best to get your wisdom teeth removed. When you experience pain from your wisdom teeth, we recommend you visit a dentist. The dentist will assess your wisdom teeth and give you an estimate for the cost of removal.
Not always. It is only when these wisdom teeth are impacted in such a way that they start causing crowding, infections, decay and other dental issues that they should be removed. Each case is individually assessed by a dentist or an oral surgeon, and a suggestion is given thereafter.
Avoid hard food as well as those which are difficult to swallow, but feed on soft dishes such as yoghurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, scrambled eggs, soups (cooled) and applesauce. Avoid crunchy foods and avoid spicy foods or hot foods as they might cause problems in this wound or loosen the blood clot.
The majority of people have four wisdom teeth that show up in four corners of their mouth (top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right). Nevertheless, they can be less, more or even none. This depends on the genetics and the development of the jaws.
Dentists have also become very reserved in advising preventive removal of wisdom teeth where there is no apparent issue. Wisdom teeth may not require extraction when they are healthy, have erupted and are consequently well aligned with each other, and are not associated with any problem. Secondly, unwanted surgery may cause unnecessary risks.
The process of extraction is estimated to be approximately 20-45 minutes for all four teeth. The period might take longer or shorter depending on the eruption of the teeth, being intact or impacted.
Your dentist will assess the difficulty of extracting your wisdom teeth and discuss your options with you. Wisdom teeth can often be removed with a simple local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel any pain at all during the extraction procedure. We also offer different sedation options to help you feel more relaxed during the surgery or to make sure you have a limited memory of the procedure. If general anaesthetic is required, then this will be done by a specialist at a hospital.
After the operation, you may have experience some discomfort and swelling which can last up to a week. Pain medication will be prescribed to help you with the any discomfort. The swelling may make it difficult for you to open your mouth wide, and you will need to eat soft foods that don’t need a lot of chewing. You will also need to allow for rest after the surgery.
Yes, there are risks as there are with all operations. Your dentist will talk you through any problems that may arise from the removal. One of the risks is that you could develop an infection. This delays healing and can cause discomfort. To help prevent this, you’ll be given care instructions and sometimes an antibiotic to take during the healing period. Another risk is nerve damage close to the wisdom teeth. If nerves are damaged, they can cause a tingling or numbness of the chin, tongue or lip, on the side worked on. This numbness usually subsides over a few months. Sometimes during surgery, damage can occur to the adjacent teeth and fillings. Your dentist will advise you about your individual risks.
Within a couple of hours after the surgery, you will still be able to talk. However, during the first 24 hours of the procedure, it is advisable not to talk too much to prevent interference with the healing process and previously partitioned blood clots. Additionally, talking is often a bad idea in the first few days because it may extend swelling or pain.
It is normal that the stiffness and soreness in the jaw will begin to resolve within 3-5 days, although full jaw motion can be delayed up to 10-14 days, depending on the difficulty of the extraction and the rate of healing.
The first 24-48 hours should reduce swelling by using an ice pack on your face. Then, make the switch to a warm compress to ease the stiffness and increase the blood flow. Remaining hydrated, having your head kept at an elevated position, and getting your dentist’s instructions on maintenance will also assist.