What to expect with wisdom teeth removal

Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure that many adults face at some point, when the third molars start to grow. The eruption of these teeth generally occur between the ages of 17 and 25, however sometimes they may appear later in life, or in other common cases may never erupt at all.

During extraction, the affected tooth will be removed from the jaw in order to protect the health of the teeth and gum surrounding it. It is normal to experience a degree of pain prior to the extraction as these molars are either generally growing in at an ‘impacted’ angle or alternatively may be infected as they have only partially erupted.

Wisdom teeth removal is a fairly common treatment, hence Dr Chimes and his associates will take you through each step of the procedure, giving you every option and expected recovery time along the way.

When do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

The third molars are the last adult teeth to grow in, but complications can arise when there is not enough space for the wisdom teeth to position themselves correctly.

Impacted wisdom teeth are those that are unable to come through normally, and are either trapped underneath the bone and gum, or partially erupted where a small section is visible and the bulk of the tooth lies below the gum.

If the wisdom tooth is impacted this can make it very difficult to clean and maintain, which makes tooth decay more prevalent. Impacted wisdom teeth can often cause pain and discomfort, as well as damage to the surrounding teeth.

In order to prevent or generally fix these dental problems, surgical removal of the third molars may be required.

What to expect during the surgery

During surgery, anaesthetic will be applied to the affected area before the tooth can be removed. Depending on the severity of the impacted tooth, this will alter how the tooth is to be extracted. Many wisdom teeth will be extracted like normal teeth, where the socket is widened and the tooth is elevated out. On the other hand, if the tooth is more difficult to remove, our dentist will make a small incision into the gum, removing a small portion of your jaw bone as well as the tooth.

The actual time taken to extract the tooth is usually only a few minutes and once the tooth has been removed, stitches may be required to close up the tissue.

Recovery

Recovery after wisdom teeth removal typically takes between 48 and 72 hours. Slight bleeding and swelling after the surgery is normal, and you may be prescribed pain medication to alleviate any discomfort.

If stitches were required and they do not dissolve on their own, they may need to be removed after a few days have passed.

If you feel that your wisdom teeth are impacted or are having trouble with your regular oral hygiene routine due to partially erupted wisdom teeth, contact our friendly team at Stephen Chimes Dentistry to book an initial consultation on 9388 1400 or click here to email an enquiry