Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Adults can have up to 32 teeth. The wisdom teeth are the last to come through, right at the back. They usually appear when you are between 16 and 25, although sometimes they appear many years later.
Nowadays people often have jaws that are too small for all 32 teeth – 28 is often the most we have room for. So if all the other teeth are present and healthy there may not be enough space for the wisdom teeth to come through properly.
Do they always cause problems?
No. If there is enough room they will usually come through into a useful position and cause no more problems than any other tooth.
Often there will be some slight discomfort as they come through, but this is only temporary and will disappear once the tooth is fully in position.
What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
If there is not enough room, the wisdom tooth may try to come through, but will get stuck against the tooth in front of it. The wisdom tooth will be at an angle, and will be described by the dentist as ‘impacted’.
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What problems should I be prepared for?
If part of the wisdom tooth has appeared through the gum and part of it is still covered, the gum may become sore and perhaps swollen. Food particles and bacteria can collect under the gum edge, and it will be difficult to clean the area effectively.
Your dentist will tell you whether this is a temporary problem that can be dealt with by using mouthwashes and special cleaning methods (and possibly antibiotics), or whether it is better to have the tooth removed.
What can I do to help myself?
If your gums are sore and swollen, use a mouthwash of medium hot water with a teaspoonful of salt. (Check that it is not too hot before using it.) Swish the salt water around the tooth, trying to get into the areas your toothbrush cannot reach. An antibacterial mouthwash such as Savacol can also reduce the inflammation. Pain-relieving tablets such as paracetamol or aspirin can also be useful in the short term, but see your dentist if the pain continues.
But if it does not help?
If the pain does not go away or if you find it difficult to open your mouth, you should see a dentist. They will be able to see the cause of the problem, and tell you what to do. It may help to clean around the tooth very thoroughly, and the dentist may give you a prescription for an antibiotic.
What are the main reasons for taking wisdom teeth out?
- When it is clear that the wisdom teeth will not be able to come through into a useful position because there is not enough room, and they are also causing some pain or discomfort
- If they have only partly come through and are decayed – such teeth will often be more likely to decay as it will be difficult to clean them as thoroughly as your other teeth
- If the wisdom tooth is causing a cleaning problem and has no real use
- If the wisdom tooth starts to ‘over-grow’. This often happens if the lower one has already been removed or is impacted and cannot come through, and the upper one has no tooth to bite against. The upper one will come down too far, looking for a tooth to make contact with
- If they are painful.
Are wisdom teeth difficult to take out?
It all depends on the position and the shape of the roots. Your dentist will tell you how easy or difficult each tooth will be to remove after looking at the x-rays. Upper wisdom teeth are often easier to remove than lower ones, which are more likely to be impacted. Your dentist will say whether the tooth should be taken out at the dental practice, or whether you should be referred to a specialist (oral surgeon) at a hospital. Very occasionally there is a possibility of some numbness of the lip after the removal of a lower tooth – your dentist will tell you if it is possible in your case.
You will probably have either a local anesthetic – as you would have for a filling – or conscious sedation. You could also have a general anesthetic (where you would be asleep), but this will usually be given only in a hospital.
Will it make any difference to my face or mouth appearance?
Taking wisdom teeth out may cause some swelling for a few days. But as soon as the area is healed, there will be no difference to your face or appearance. Your mouth will feel more comfortable and less crowded, especially if the teeth were impacted.
What should I expect after a wisdom tooth is taken out?
The amount of discomfort will depend on how easy it was to take the tooth out. There is usually some swelling and discomfort for a few days afterwards, and it is important to follow any advice you get about mouthwashes and so on, to help with the healing. Some people also find homeopathic remedies help to reduce discomfort. Usual painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen will usually deal with any pain. It is best to stay fairly quiet and relaxed for 24 hours afterwards to make sure there are no bleeding problems. There may be some stitches to help the gum heal over. Your dentist will probably want to see you again about a week later to check on the healing, and to remove any stitches.
The best way to wise up about your wisdom teeth is to book a checkup with x-rays, so that the dentist can give you the most accurate advice.
The dentists in our modern state-of-the-art dental clinic in Geelong West are highly qualified and will advise you on the most suitable, best practice treatment – they love to share their wisdom!
Are you worried about your dental health?
Following a friendly discussion with you about your condition, our expert dental team will offer a personalised strategy for your smile transformation.
Frequently asked questions
There are lots of practices in and around Geelong. You might be asking yourself ‘Why is Creative Dental Haus the right clinic for my family?’ Here are three reasons why we stand out:
- Our patients are family; when you become a patient of Creative Dental Haus, you’re not just an appointment time. You’re a real person, with individual needs. We take time to listen and thoroughly understand your dental history, assess your current dental health status, and talk you through the best treatment options for you. Everyone’s journey is different and we apply a personalised and tailor made approach to our dental care.
- Your comfort is important to us; the rooms at our brand new practice are designed to treat patients in a calm and relaxed environment. You can even request to watch your favourite TV show whilst our dentists are working hard on your pearly whites.
- We put your health first: our professional team is highly qualified and experienced, but we strongly believe it is important that our patients be given the option to choose their own dental treatment. Our dentists will provide you with thoroughly considered treatment plans and they will respect your right to make decisions based on your individual circumstances and budget. When leaving your appointment, we will make sure you are well informed of all your treatment options and associated costs and that you are able to make healthy choices for your long-term dental health.
Money should not be a reason why you can’t have dental treatment when you need it. Our fees are open, honest and transparent: we understand that dental prices can be expensive and confusing. At Creative Dental Haus you will be given treatment plans with itemized costs explained in detail. We never compromise on quality and ensure that you are given the treatment options available to your situation that suit your budget, lifestyle and long-term dental health. We welcome you to ask any questions about the cost of your treatment.
We only take x-rays when they are necessary. As a general rule it is highly recommended that x-rays are taken every two years to make sure there is no underlying dental decay, infection or gum disease. We use x-rays to diagnose diseases not visible to the naked eye or during a clinical dental examination. Dental conditions often don’t present any symptoms until they are well advanced; dental imaging allows us to diagnose any underlying conditions early to avoid expensive dental treatment in the future.
We understand your concerns regarding x-ray safety. At Creative Dental Haus we use modern, up to date technology; the use of digital x-rays significantly reduces the amounts of exposure to radiation than traditional x-rays. Digital x-rays use very low levels of radiation and provide the highest resolution images available. Despite the advances in x-ray technology we are committed to keeping the amount of radiation you are exposed to at our practice to minimum and will always make sure you and your family are safe.
We definitely do. Children aged between 2-17 may be eligible for up to $1000 of bulk-billed preventative dental treatment every two calendar years under the Medicare’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule. This means you don’t have any out of pocket expenses. The vouchers can be used across multiple appointments over the two calendar years and include comprehensive dental examination, scale and polish, x-rays (if needed), fissure sealants, remineralising treatment or other preventative dental treatment.
Yes we do. Health fund rebates can be processed on the day of your appointment. We accept all health funds to assist you with the cost of dental care at our practice. Our HICAPS machine allows us to claim your benefits on the spot so you only pay the gap at the end of your appointment. Prior to your treatment, please check with your healthfund if you are covered under HICAPS.
Payment can be made via Visa, Matercard, American Express or EFTPOS. Cash payments are also accepted.
We are a family practice and welcome all children.
It is recommended that a child see a dentist for the first time at the age of 2. The first appointment will familiarize your child with the environment. We encourage parents to bring their child to our dental surgery at the time of their own appointments as we want the little ones to be familiar with the dentist and the practice and prepared for their own appointment. We take special care of children’s appointments to make sure their experience at the dentist is positive.
Kids will always walk out with a special gift bag and a balloon.
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Contact us
| Shop 3/96 Pakington St, Geelong West VIC 3218, Australia | |
| 03 5222 6656 | |
| info@creativedentalhaus.com.au |
Opening hours
| Monday: | 8.30am – 5.30pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday: | 8.30am – 5.30pm |
| Wednesday: | 8.30am – 5pm |
| Thursday: | 8.30am – 7pm |
| Friday: | 8.30am – 2pm |
| Saturday: | 9am – 12pm |
| Sunday: | Closed |
