Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth can be a source of pain and gum disease for some people. While this may not be the case for everyone, around 50 to 75% of the population will have theirs removed at some point in their lives. If you need your wisdom teeth removed, our experienced and friendly dentists here at Elevate Dental can help.

30+ years
Experience
5 stars from 335+ reviews

The Process

Getting your wisdom teeth removed begins with a dental exam and evaluation. You may get x-rays so the dentist can see how your teeth are positioned under the gum. Our dental professionals will ask for your input on pain and history to get a full understanding of your situation. Fortunately, options such as anaesthesia and sedation are available to help eliminate pain and stress during the procedure. If you are awake, you may feel a little groggy and pressure in your mouth. In some cases, sedation may be necessary during removal, but you will recover quickly in the dental chair. Our experienced dentists will talk to you and determine the best ways to remove your wisdom teeth, and guide you if surgical removal is necessary.

Payment plans & options available

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We work with you to find the best plan for your budget and your goals. 
We’ll get creative with payment plans, make on-the-spot insurance claims and offer 100% finance — whatever it takes to make your new smile a reality!

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Common Wisdom Teeth Problems

Wisdom teeth are permanent molars that erupt or appear last in the mouth. Some people will not experience problems while others feel pain and problems from them before they even see a wisdom tooth. If you have pain in your mouth or jaw but don’t know why, it could be an impacted wisdom tooth, which is the most common issue. Some characteristics of impacted wisdom teeth are:

  • May grow straight up and down like regular teeth, but not in the correct place, forcing other teeth to move
  • May grow in sideways, or at a right angle to the other teeth, never erupting from the gum
  • May grow at a sharp angle, pushing the molar next to it

Problematic wisdom teeth can cause:

  • Pain in the jaw or surrounding teeth
  • Damage to other teeth
  • Crowding teeth, sometimes causing an entire row to become crooked
  • Tooth decay in partially hidden wisdom teeth
  • Trapped food and debris within and between crowded teeth
  • Gum disease due to crowding or hidden decay

Common Wisdom Teeth Problems

Recovery time depends on how your wisdom teeth were removed. Surgical removal will take longer recovery time as the patient is coming out from the general anesthesia. Most other tooth extractions take less time, and will depend on whether the patient had a local anesthetic, sedation or general anesthesia. Your dentist will inform you if you should avoid driving after your appointment.
As the anesthesia wears off, you may begin to feel mild pain and possibly some swelling.

Our team at Elevate Dental will ensure your recovery is as comfortable as possible, and also provide instructions on after-care recovery at home. General instructions often include:

  • Follow directions for any prescribed medications
  • Do not rinse your mouth (or swish liquids around it) for at least 24 hours
  • After the appropriate amount of time, your dentist may recommend a gentle saltwater rinse or special mouthwash to keep the area clean while it heals
  • Avoid hot food and drink for at least 24 hours
  • Apply gauze to stop bleeding and change it as recommended by your dentist
  • Use an icepack on your face to reduce swelling
  • Elevate your head while lying down for at least 24 hours after removal
  • Avoid smoking, alcohol and drinking from straws

Not following instructions after having your wisdom teeth removed could result in problems like more bleeding, pain or dry socket, which is a condition when a blood clot does not form at the extraction site to stop bleeding.

Pain and swelling are your body’s normal reactions to having a tooth extracted or oral surgery. It is usually easily treated with over-the-counter pain medications, while most people only experience mild pain for less than a day. However, recovery depends on the extent of the extraction or surgery, and some people may require a week or more. Your dental professional will be able to provide guidance on your situation and what you can expect.

Can you help with dental anxiety?

At Elevate Dental, we truly care about you and understand how tough dental anxiety can be. That’s why we’ve created a calming, supportive space with Netflix, noise-cancelling headphones, stress balls, and even happy gas to help you relax. Our friendly, expert team is here to make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and confident every step of the way. Click ‘Book My Appointment’ now and take the first step towards a confident, anxiety-free smile.

Netflix
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Stress Balls
Happy Gas

Frequently asked questions

Our trusted dentists are here to help you with your individual needs.
Explore our FAQs below or contact us if you have a specific question.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the farthest back of each row of teeth, on the top and bottom of both sides of your mouth. While often not a problem themselves, many people do not have enough room in their jaw to accommodate them. This can lead to numerous problems like the tooth growing in sideways, crowding and pain of other teeth or partial eruption of wisdom teeth, which can cause infection.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

Wisdom teeth removal is best done before the root is fully formed, which is why mainly teenagers and young adults have them removed. However, if your teeth are a problem, they can be removed at any age. Some people prefer to be pre-emptive and have them removed before any problems begin, but a visit with an experienced dentist can help determine if removal is appropriate for you. Some situations that require removal include the following:

  • Crowding: Wisdom teeth that are impacted or grow in sideways can take up too much room and crowd the other teeth. The result is a mouthful of crooked and overlapping teeth that can cause dental problems.
  • Cavities: If wisdom teeth crowd the teeth around them, hidden pockets can be difficult to clean, allowing bacteria to grow, resulting in cavities and sometimes gum disease.
  • Cysts: While cysts can grow anywhere, wisdom teeth are at a higher risk for them than other teeth. Mainly, impacted or unerupted teeth can allow cysts to form that can damage other teeth and your jawbone.
  • Pain: Pain due to wisdom teeth can arise from a number of issues, such as teeth crowding, impacted or unerupted wisdom teeth or hidden cavities and gum disease.
  • Sinus problems: Impacted and unerupted wisdom teeth can interfere with proper sinus functioning, leading to pressure, congestion and pain.

The team here at Elevate Dental is experienced and can help determine if removing your wisdom teeth is the right option. In the past, removal was often routine, but with advanced technology that provides a more accurate diagnosis, our dentists will weigh the risks versus the benefits of removal.

How much does it cost to get my wisdom teeth removed in Melbourne?

The cost of having your wisdom teeth removed in Melbourne, depends on a variety of elements such as the complexity of the procedure, your medical history, whether anaesthesia or sedation is necessary, and the level of cover you have with your insurance.

In general, wisdom teeth removal can often be more complex, more time consuming, and therefore more expensive than general tooth extraction. Some people only need one tooth removed, whereas others require removal of all four teeth. For a personalised quote, based on your situation, contact our team of compassionate dentists and we can give you all the pricing information you need.

How long is the recovery time for wisdom teeth removal?

The recovery time after wisdom teeth removal will vary from person to person. The time needed to fully recover is dependent on the individual’s own healing process, the complexity of their extraction, and the number of wisdom teeth removed. Generally, the initial healing period is 3-5 days. During this time, it is normal to experience some swelling, discomfort, and trouble fully opening your mouth.

However, the entire healing process to get yourself back to full recovery can take several weeks. It is vital to give yourself time to rest, and don’t push yourself too much, too soon. When you get your wisdom teeth removed with Elevate Dental, our team of caring dentists will guide you in this recovery process and ensure it is a smooth process.

If I want to get my wisdom teeth removed in Melbourne, where can I find your clinic?

If you’re looking for the best dentist for wisdom teeth removal in Melbourne, look no further than Elevate Dental. We are located in eastern Melbourne and provide professional dentistry services from our Richmond clinic. If you’re worried about your wisdom teeth, and you’re looking to get them removed, give us a call, or book an appointment with one of our expert dentists using our online booking form.

How painful is it to remove my wisdom teeth?

While this is a concern for a lot of people, wisdom teeth removal is a common dental practice with 50 to 75% of the population requiring wisdom teeth extraction in their lifetime. At Elevate Dental, our compassionate dentists ensure to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you. While you might feel slight pressure during the extraction, we have sedation and local anaesthesia options to make sure you do not experience any pain during the procedure.

Once your wisdom teeth have been removed, you will have 3-5 days of discomfort, but this can be managed to avoid serious pain. When you choose Elevate Dental, you can have peace of mind that our dentists will provide you with the support and guidance you need before, during, and after your wisdom teeth removal.

Is wisdom teeth removal covered by my insurance?

It depends on your personal dental insurance policy whether your wisdom teeth removal will be covered by insurance. Coverage varies significantly based on your provider, and your specific plan. Some policies will cover the entire procedure, some will cover a portion, and others won’t cover anything.

We recommend that you check the level of cover that you have with your insurance provider and then contact our team to discuss your options. We can help you to navigate this process and discuss with you our pricing and different payment plans.

What people say about Elevate Dental

Celebrating confident smiles – because you deserve a smile you’re proud of.

5 stars from 335+ reviews

As someone with significant anxiety around needles, I’ve always found dental visits nerve-wracking, but the team here took the time to understand my concerns, explained each step thoroughly, and empathised with me, making the entire process painless and easy.

J. Floreani

Elevate Dental is the best dentist I have experienced. It is a modern, calming space and Judith and her team are amazing with nervous patients.

C. Hinchcliffe

Highly recommend Elevate Dentistry. I visited as a new patient with some dentistry anxiety. The clinic is extremely clean, calming, and the team are accommodating and kind. The clean and check up was very thorough. I would highly recommend to others, particular those with anxiety about dentists.

Shae de Wall

The Elevate team have been great to deal with and make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Highly recommend- especially if dentists visits are difficult.

Danielle Kimpton

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161-165 Swan St. Richmond VIC 3121
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