Wisdom Teeth Removal Melbourne, Richmond and Hawthorn
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.
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 in Melbourne, Richmond and Hawthorn can help.
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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.
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:
Problematic wisdom teeth can cause:
When Wisdom Teeth Should 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 preemptive 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.
Our 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 It’s Done
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 anesthesia 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.
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 anesthesia 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.
After Care
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.
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Make an Appointment Today
If you have pain or discomfort around your back teeth or jaw, don’t delay and call today. Our team here at Elevated Dental Melbourne, Richmond and Hawthorn are ready to help you with experience and compassion. With an easy dental exam, we can see if wisdom tooth removal is the best option for you.
Make an Appointment Today
If you have pain or discomfort around your back teeth or jaw, don’t delay and call today. Our team here at Elevated Dental Melbourne, Richmond and Hawthorn are ready to help you with experience and compassion. With an easy dental exam, we can see if wisdom tooth removal is the best option for you.
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