Wisdom Teeth Removal in Northbridge
Wisdom teeth removal specialists
Are your wisdom teeth causing pain or other problems in your mouth? Most people's wisdom teeth erupt normally and don't cause problems, but if a wisdom tooth is trapped in the gum or is putting pressure on your teeth, this can cause serious problems.
Wisdom tooth extraction is often more complex than a standard extraction, and it needs the expertise of a qualified and experienced dentist or oral surgeon. Our dentists in Northbridge have many years of experience removing wisdom teeth from teenagers and adults, and patient comfort and safety are our top priorities.
If you're looking for North Sydney wisdom teeth removal, talk to our friendly team at Sailors Bay Dentistry to find out what the treatment involves and decide whether it's the right choice for you. We have provided wisdom teeth removal for many customers from surrounding suburbs including Mosman, Crows Nest, Castlecrag, Naremburn, Chatswood, Artarmon, and Lane Cove.
Call (02) 9958 0400 or contact us today to book a consultation for wisdom teeth removal in Sydney's North Shore.
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What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow in the mouth, usually appearing from your late teen years to your mid 20s. These teeth are also called third molars, as they appear behind the molars (chewing teeth) at the back of the mouth. There can be up to four wisdom teeth, one in each corner, although not everyone gets all or any wisdom teeth.
Historically, wisdom teeth were useful for replacing molars that may have been lost due to a poor diet and poor oral hygiene. Today, with more people taking care of their teeth, wisdom teeth are not necessary for good oral health. In fact, wisdom teeth can sometimes cause problems if they develop abnormally.
At Sailors Bay Dentistry, we don't routinely extract wisdom teeth early if there are no signs of problems, but this is an option if you're worried about your child's wisdom teeth causing problems in the future. We will usually only recommend extraction if we spot a possible sign of a problem during your regular check-up or if you visit us with wisdom tooth pain.
Do wisdom teeth always need to be removed?
No. In most cases, wisdom teeth erupt without problem and only the minor discomfort of teething. Occasionally however, complications can arise when a wisdom tooth grows or emerges from the gum.
If you think that you or your child may be getting your wisdom teeth, make an appointment with our Northbridge dentists so we can examine your mouth and check whether the teeth are coming through normally or if they need to be removed.
Common wisdom teeth problems can include:
Impaction
Impacted wisdom teeth are teeth that don't emerge from the gum or get blocked by other teeth in the way. This can put pressure on the teeth nearby, causing pain and discomfort or even causing them to become crooked and misaligned. A tooth that's trapped inside the gum may also lead to infections or a dental abscess.
Partial eruption
A wisdom tooth that only partially emerges from the gum will also be open to recurrent infection. A flap of gum tissue may partly cover the tooth, which can cause discomfort and trouble keeping the tooth clean and free from plaque. If a wisdom tooth comes in at the wrong angle, this can also risk injuring the soft tissues in the mouth.
Crowding
If there isn't enough space in your mouth for more teeth to fit, a wisdom tooth coming through could cause pain and discomfort or cause teeth to move out of position and become crooked. This can make it easier for food and plaque to get trapped between teeth and make brushing and flossing more difficult, increasing the risk of oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
If your wisdom teeth show signs of these problems or other difficulties, we will recommend extraction to prevent pain and protect your oral health. Call our dental clinic on (02) 9958 0400 to arrange an appointment with our dental surgeons in Northbridge.
What does wisdom teeth removal involve?
Wisdom tooth extraction is generally a straightforward process, but impacted wisdom teeth removal can be more complex. In general, the upper wisdom teeth are easier to remove than the lower teeth, although not in all cases.
Depending on how complicated the procedure is likely to be, our dental surgeons may be able to remove one or several wisdom teeth in the same appointment. In more complex cases, we may refer you to a specialist.
Treatment planning
Our dentists will examine your mouth and take dental x-rays to give us a clear view of where the wisdom tooth is positioned in your mouth and gum. This helps us to plan your treatment for the minimum of pain and discomfort.
Oral surgery
If a wisdom tooth is impacted or difficult to access, oral surgery may be required. This involves making an incision in the gum, extracting the wisdom tooth and treating any infection or other issue that may be present before stitching the gum closed. If the tooth is difficult to remove, we may also need to remove some of the surrounding bone.
Pain relief and sedation
Like all dental procedures at our clinic, local anaesthesia is administered before wisdom teeth removal to make sure you won't feel any pain. If you feel nervous about dental surgery, or if the procedure is more complex, we can discuss other sedation options to help you feel more relaxed. If you're having multiple teeth extracted, general anaesthesia may sometimes be necessary.
Standard extraction
If a wisdom tooth is not impacted, a standard extraction may be all that's needed to remove it. This involves gently rocking the tooth from side to side until it loosens, then pulling it out.
Is getting wisdom teeth removed painful?
Wisdom tooth extraction is carried out under local anaesthesia and other sedation if requested. This blocks pain signals to the brain during the procedure. If your wisdom tooth is giving you pain, getting the tooth extracted will relieve this pain and discomfort.
You may feel pain after the procedure when the anaesthesia wears off. Our dentists will prescribe appropriate pain relief medication which you should take as instructed for as long as you feel the pain. This normally only lasts for a few days.
What should I expect after wisdom tooth extraction?
Recovery following wisdom tooth removal can take anywhere from 24 hours up to a week, depending on how many teeth you have extracted and how straightforward or complex the procedure is.
To improve your chance of a full recovery, we recommend that you eat soft foods only for the first few days after your treatment, such as soup, mashed potato and vegetables and other foods that don't require chewing or biting.
You should still brush your teeth twice a day, but be very gentle at the back of your mouth where the tooth was extracted. You should avoid directly touching the treated site in your mouth and don't smoke for at least 48 hours, preferably longer.
If you have pain or swelling, these can be treated with over-the-counter medication prescribed by our dentists. If we think there might be a risk of infection, we may also prescribe antibiotics.
What are the risks?
We always take all precautions to minimise risks during dental procedures, but there's always a minor risk of complications with any oral surgery. We'll make sure you understand this possibility and how to recognise unusual side-effects before you agree to the treatment.
For wisdom tooth removal, complications can include infection of the mouth or a dry socket. This can happen if the gum doesn't heal properly and is usually characterised by persistent pain and bad breath.
If you notice any unexpected symptoms after your treatment, contact our North Shore dental clinic to make an emergency appointment.
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?
The wisdom tooth extraction cost varies depending on the number of teeth you're having extracted, how simple or complex the procedure is and what sedation options you choose, among other factors. Removing several wisdom teeth at once may be cheaper than removing each tooth at separate appointments, but this isn't always possible.
We'll give you a breakdown of wisdom teeth removal costings during your consultation. We can also discuss whether you can claim your tooth removal cost on your health insurance and whether you want to take advantage of our payment plans to help you spread the cost.
Book a consultation for Northbridge wisdom teeth removal in Sydney
If you want to know more about what wisdom tooth extraction involves or you're ready to book an appointment, contact our friendly team at Sailors Bay Dentistry today. Call us on (02) 9958 0400 or fill in our contact form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.