Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of your mouth and are usually the last to emerge. They typically appear during late adolescence or early adulthood, though some people may never develop them. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly missing teeth. While wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge without issues, they sometimes require removal due to complications.
Wisdom teeth can become problematic if they are impacted, meaning they don’t have enough room to emerge properly. This can lead to:
Pre-Surgery Instructions
If you are having sedation during your wisdom tooth extraction, it’s important to follow these guidelines:
The Procedure
At Crown Bank Dental, our skilled oral surgeons use state-of-the-art technology to ensure a safe and efficient removal process:
Post-Surgery Care
To ensure a smooth recovery, follow these post-surgery care tips:
Removing problematic wisdom teeth can significantly improve oral health by preventing pain, infections, and potential structural damage to neighbouring teeth.
Wisdom teeth don’t grow like other teeth and when they become impacted, they sit in a more angular position. In many people, wisdom teeth can become stuck under the gum or only partially able to come through the gum. This can cause unpleasant symptoms like swelling, tenderness and abscesses, which can go on to affect neighbouring teeth.
Most people will have their wisdom teeth come through in their late teens, though it’s not unusual to develop them as a pre-teen or an adult.
However, not all people have their wisdom teeth come through; some people don’t develop any wisdom teeth.
We can offer IV sedation to patients who are feeling nervous about having their wisdom teeth removed.
The procedure is performed with local anaesthesia, so you will be numb and won’t feel pain during the extraction. Some discomfort is normal during recovery but manageable with over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol. If you opt for IV sedation you will be more relaxed during the procedure.
Recovery typically takes one to two weeks. Most patients return to normal activities within a few days, but full healing may take longer.
Not always. The need to remove all wisdom teeth depends on individual circumstances, such as symptoms, impaction, or the risk of future problems. Your dentist can provide advice specific to your condition.
Post-surgery, it’s important to stick to a diet of soft foods for the first few days to avoid disturbing the surgical site. Gradually reintroduce more solid foods as your comfort level allows.
Slight bleeding is normal, but if heavy bleeding continues, bite down on a clean gauze pad and apply pressure. If the bleeding doesn’t subside, contact Crown Bank Dental for assistance.
To minimise swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours after surgery. Swelling usually peaks around 48 to 72 hours after surgery and gradually subsides.
Follow-up appointments are not usually required, but the team at Crown Bank Dental always phone our patients the following day to check-in. Your dentist will inform you if a follow-up visit is needed based on your specific case.
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