Do you have questions about wisdom teeth removal in Melbourne? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about wisdom teeth and wisdom teeth extractions.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also known as the third set of molars, are located in the very back of your mouth. They are usually the last teeth to develop, which is why they are associated with the onset of maturity.
Why Should I Have Wisdom Teeth Surgery?
There are several reasons why your dentist might recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed. Some people do not have enough room in their mouths to develop and grow 32 permanent teeth. Since your wisdom teeth are the last to develop, there may not be enough space for them to erupt and become fully functional. This can cause several dental issues. When this happens, it’s known as wisdom teeth impaction. There are various types of wisdom teeth impactions, including:
- Soft Tissue Impactions: Adequate jawbone without enough space to allow the gum to recede.
- Partial Bony Impactions: Enough space to allow the tooth to partially erupt. This can cause wisdom teeth to erupt at the wrong angle.
- Complete Bony Impactions: No space for the tooth to erupt.
What Are the Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal Melbourne?
Wisdom teeth impactions can cause several problems, including infection. Infected wisdom teeth cause recurrent pain, swelling, and chewing problems. Having impacted wisdom teeth can also cause damage to other teeth. If there’s no room to allow proper cleaning of the wisdom teeth, you can end up with gum disease and cavities.
Non-infectious cysts can also arise as a result of impacted wisdom teeth. These are fluid-filled ‘balloons’ that slowly expand inside the jawbone and cause destruction of the adjacent jawbone and occasionally teeth. Wisdom teeth impaction can also lead to teeth crowding in some cases.
There are several benefits to wisdom teeth removal Melbourne. These include the following:
- Fewer orthodontic problems
- Prevention of damage to nearby teeth
- Decreased risk of oral disease and inflammation
- Less orofacial pain
- Prevention of cysts, tumours, and jaw damage
What Are Wisdom Teeth Pain Symptoms?
Wisdom teeth pain presents in several ways. The most common symptoms include inflammation of the gum alongside the affected tooth. In some cases, you can also have pus coming from the gum line. Because of the infection, some patients also end up with swollen or painful lymph glands under the jaw. This pain can make it difficult to open your mouth or swallow. Wisdom teeth problems can also cause pain, fever, and general swelling of the mouth.
What Happens On The Day of Your Wisdom Teeth Removal Melbourne Operation?
Wisdom teeth removal Melbourne can occur under sedation or a general anaesthetic. Most patients prefer to be unaware of the experience. An experienced dentist will provide you with appropriate anaesthesia options during your consultation.
On the day of the wisdom teeth removal Melbourne procedure, an oral surgeon will give you pain medication to help reduce post-operative pain and swelling. The dentist will also administer a local anaesthetic to prevent pain during the removal process. The surgical procedure will take about an hour, and you will probably spend an hour and a half or two hours at the dental office. Before you leave, your dentist or surgical assistant will help you review your post-operative instructions.
All our surgeries are carried out under appropriate anaesthesia to maximize patient comfort. We are properly trained, experienced, and licensed to carry out dental procedures under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia. We also use modern monitoring equipment, and our staff is experienced in different anaesthesia techniques.
What Will I Feel Like After The Wisdom Tooth Removal Melbourne Procedure?
You may need to maintain a low profile for a few days. It’s also important to follow your post-operative instructions closely. This will go a long way in ensuring that you are most comfortable during the first couple of days following your surgery and that you heal properly. You need to allow your body some time to heal before resuming normal daily activities. Most patients will start feeling normal after about three to five days.
Is It Normal to Be Anxious Before Wisdom Teeth Removal Melbourne Surgery?
Yes! A lot of people experience dental fear before wisdom teeth removal surgery. If you’re feeling uneasy about getting your wisdom teeth removed, you must discuss it with your dental health practitioner.
How Many Visits To The Dentist For My Wisdom Tooth Removal Melbourne Procedure?
In most instances, we can complete the wisdom teeth removal treatment in just two visits.
What is the Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal in Melbourne?
There are several types of wisdom teeth removal in Melbourne. This means that each case needs to be approached differently, which makes it a bit difficult to get a realistic estimate of the cost of removal. Some situations require a local anaesthetic only, while some require sedation, a local anaesthetic, and a general anaesthetic. All of this will affect the cost.
Generally, you will know the cost after consultation and when your x-rays have been reviewed, and the exact extraction process is known. In some instances, the removal of wisdom teeth under general anaesthetic might be covered by Medicare or private health insurance companies. You can ask your dentist if your procedure qualifies for those options.
What If I Have Questions Before My Wisdom Teeth Removal Melbourne Surgery?
We understand that wisdom teeth removal is not something that you are happy to do. If the information we provide before the surgery, combined with what the dentist will tell you during consultation, doesn’t answer every question you have, you can contact our dental clinics to get more clarity.
Will I Swell After My Wisdom Teeth Removal Melbourne Surgery?
Once your wisdom teeth have been removed, it’s normal to experience a bit of swelling and bruising. However, the swelling should only last a few days. On the other hand, it may take a few days for the bruising to clear up.
Should I Continue Brushing My Teeth After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
You only need to avoid brushing your teeth for the first 24 hours. After that, you can go back to your normal teeth brushing routine. However, you need to be extra gentle around the wisdom tooth extraction site. If possible, you can try to avoid it.
What Should I Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Immediately following surgery, you can start off with clear liquids like juice and water. If you are able to handle these well, you can do a dairy base. This includes milkshakes, ice cream, pudding, and yogurt. From there, try to stick with soft, cooler foods like mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and well-cooked pasta, among other things. You should avoid spicy foods, chewy foods, anything with seeds, and acidic drinks and food.
What Are Dry Sockets?
Once your wisdom teeth have been removed, you will remain with a hole in the bone called a socket. A blood clot will form in the area to protect the bone and the nerves underneath. If anything dislodges that clot, the bone and nerve will be exposed to air, food, and fluids. This will cause an infection – or a dry socket.
Should I not remove my wisdom teeth even it is impacted?
If left untreated, wisdom teeth impactions can have lasting negative effects on your teeth later in life. The cost of wisdom teeth removal now can be significantly more affordable compared to the cost of dealing with issues that can arise from choosing not to remove wisdom teeth such as decay and cyst formations which can cause issues in the bone and gum tissue.
