Wisdom Teeth Removal

WHAT ARE WISDOM TEETH?

Wisdom teeth are your four 3rd molars found at the back of your mouth. By your early twenties your wisdom teeth are most likely to have erupted i.e. appeared above the gum line. These teeth may become impacted which means they may sit sideways or at an angle under the gum and push up against adjacent teeth.  Modern humans generally don’t need these extra teeth as our diet no longer requires us to chew and grind a fibrous, foliage rich diet.

DO I HAVE WISDOM TEETH?

You will be aware that you have wisdom teeth because you may experience intermittent or even continual discomfort or pain. You may even see them in the mirror. Wisdom teeth are often difficult to clean once erupted and you may also notice inflammation or bleeding around the teeth.

DO I NEED MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?

A visit to the dentist is recommended for a check including a panoramic x-ray (OPG) of your mouth. Even if you have no trouble with them the best advice is to get them checked. We also have 3D Xray CBCT imaging for accurate location of the teeth and the roots once it’s decided the teeth need removal. Our dentists will recommend if you would benefit from having your wisdom teeth removed.  Indications of the need to remove them will be the position of the teeth in your jaw, signs of infection including in the adjacent teeth, signs of difficulty cleaning the teeth and trapping of food and bacteria causing bacteria contaminated material to accumulate around the teeth.

Some fortunate people have straight wisdom teeth that have enough space to sit in the mouth without affecting the adjacent teeth. If you can maintain a good cleaning routine, there is no need to remove these teeth.

The photo here illustrates wisdom teeth sitting in an impacted position which may cause decay and pressure on adjacent teeth. These teeth are recommended for removal.

HOW DO I HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?

Dr Andrew Navakas or Dr Julien Bundun will assess the factors affecting removal. You may be recommended to have the removal done by our dentist Dr Julien Bundun, using local anaesthetic, where we will ensure a comfortable experience.  However, we may need to refer you to our local oral surgeon who will remove your wisdom teeth under local or general anaesthetic according to his/her professional advice and your personal preference. We will support your through the whole process and guarantee 24 hour access for advice and assistance while you recover.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT REMOVE MY WISDOM TEETH?

Delaying the removal of wisdom teeth may cause intermittent pain and quite possibly infection requiring antibiotic treatment. We do not recommend ignoring these warning signs. Infection in the area of wisdom teeth can be difficult to treat and quite painful if removal is delayed. You may experience more adverse outcomes related to the wisdom teeth removal process. Our dentists would strongly recommend that you avoid this.

WHAT IS THE COST OF REMOVING MY WISDOM TEETH?

The cost will depend on whether all or some of the wisdom teeth need removal and whether we can provide the service in the practice or if you need referral to our specialist. Rest assured our fees are very reasonable and comparable to typical fees. We offer an instalment payment plan through Denti-Care if you require assistance.