Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal in Caroline Springs

Your dentist may suggest leaving your impacted wisdom tooth alone if it doesn’t cause any issues. However, if impacted wisdom teeth are not growing correctly by age 20, we recommend that a dentist or oral surgeon remove them. You will need to be monitored for any dental problems if you choose not to undergo dental surgery.

It is not always necessary to get your wisdom teeth removed, but there are situations in which a coronectomy is done instead to avoid this. A dentist may perform this dental procedure if they feel there is a higher risk of injury to the inferior dental nerve. Several studies also suggest it may be safer than extraction for older adults. Standard wisdom tooth extractions involve removing the entire tooth, sometimes all four at once. Coronectomy involves removing the crown of a tooth but leaving the root intact in your jaw. It is, however, not recommended if the tooth root or the wisdom tooth itself is infected.

We offer various types of sedation for wisdom teeth removal surgery, so you will not experience severe pain. You can choose between relaxing nitrous oxide (happy gas), oral sedation, IV sedation and general anaesthesia. We’ll discuss each option during your consultation to determine which one you qualify for and the best method for your procedure.

You will likely feel some discomfort after having your wisdom teeth removed. Some people have swelling in their cheeks or mouth after surgery and can not open their mouth fully for several hours after surgery, sometimes even days. Most people experience dental pain, but it does not last long.

Having your wisdom teeth removed can improve the health of your neighbouring teeth and reduce your risk of infection. We’ll take an X-ray of your jaw to determine the positioning location of each third molar.

If extraction is the best course of action for you, we’ll usually take all four teeth out at the same appointment (especially if sedation is used). The procedure involves cutting the gums and gently removing problematic bone before taking out the tooth. We’ll stitch up the surgical wound and pack it with gauze.

When it’s time to head home, we’ll give you written instructions to follow. Be sure to keep several soft foods on hand, which won’t irritate your extraction sites. Some good examples include yogurt, pudding, ice cream, gelatine and oatmeal.

In most cases, we will place a dissolvable suture, which goes away on its own within a couple of weeks. Traditional sutures will need to be removed at our dental clinic about ten days after surgery.

Depending on the situation, some people do not have enough room for their wisdom teeth to come in all the way. This lack of space can cause their third molars to become impacted, develop at an awkward angle or wedge themselves into adjacent teeth. Maintaining cleanliness with wisdom teeth can be challenging, and they are prone to food debris accumulation. A wisdom tooth that is not removed may lead to complications, including cavities, decay, infection, cysts, and gum infection.

The pressure caused by impacted wisdom teeth can damage the healthy teeth next to them. Pressure towards the back of your mouth can ultimately cause shifting and crowding in your bite. It’s not uncommon for wisdom tooth eruption to trigger tooth misalignment, crowding of nearby teeth, and damage to other teeth. We’ll need to take dental x-rays to see the position of your wisdom teeth and how they relate to the ones around them.

Until the extraction site has healed, avoid the following foods:

• Spicy foods and acidic foods, including citrus juices, are likely to irritate and cause pain.
• Hard foods and food that are difficult to chew, like nuts, chips, and jerky, can cause stitches to open up and slow healing.
• Grains and seeds, like rice, quinoa, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds, can easily be trapped and accumulate in the extraction site.
• Alcoholic drinks can irritate the area and make the pain relief medication you’re taking less effective.