Atlas Smiles Dental, Dentist in Wheelers Hill

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Wisdom teeth are the teeth at the back of your mouth (the third molar teeth). They tend to come through (erupt) in the late teens or twenties. Some wisdom teeth do not come through fully (partly erupt) and get stuck (or impacted) against nearby teeth or bone. This often leaves a flap of gum over your tooth. Others grow too long (over erupt). A wisdom tooth may need to be removed for one or more of the following reasons: repeated or serious infection of the gum, tooth decay, a wisdom tooth can grow out too far and damage the cheek or gum, you may need an operation to move your jaw forwards or backwards, your tooth may be in a position that makes it difficult to clean properly, an orthodontist may need to make space to move other teeth backwards, you may have a cyst near or around your tooth, or other jaw problems, your tooth may be in the line of a jaw fracture.

The cost of wisdom teeth removal will depend on the complexity of your treatment - the less complex, the more likely your wisdom teeth can be extracted in the chair, and the more affordable your treatment will be. So, how much does a wisdom tooth extraction cost?

In Australia, wisdom tooth removal costs can reach up to from $600 per tooth, depending on the complexity of the treatment. Based on data from the Australian Dental Association, a simple removal using local anaesthetic for all four teeth can cost up to $2,322 in Australia. You can expect the cost of wisdom teeth removal under general anaesthetic in Australia to be higher as well, varying from $1,500 to $3,000 per tooth. General anaesthetic requires a medical specialist rather than a dentist so can’t be covered by most insurance.

At your consultation, our dentist will advise whether your wisdom teeth are fine or likely to cause problems. If your wisdom teeth are likely to be problematic, your dentist may recommend a surgical extraction.

Our dentist will use local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia in order to numb your mouth and/or suppress your consciousness during the surgery. An incision will then be made in the gum to expose the tooth and bone. If any bone is blocking access to the root of the tooth, it will be removed. If the tooth is difficult to remove, it may be divided into several pieces before being removed. After that, the extraction site is cleaned and any remaining debris is removed. The site is stitched up if required for healing before gauze is placed over the site to control any bleeding and assist the formation of a blood clot.

Depending on the size of your jaw and how your wisdom teeth develop, you may not experience any issues with your wisdom teeth. The best way to determine whether you require wisdom teeth removal or not is to visit us for a professional evaluation and assessment.

At your consultation, your dentist will:

• Review your dental history
• Take x-rays
• Examine the general health of your mouth
• Assess the condition of your wisdom teeth

Ifour dentist detects an issue with your wisdom teeth, surgery may be recommended to have them removed and eliminate (or avoid) any uncomfortable symptoms. Early removal is generally the best option as it helps to avoid more serious issues in the future.

If your wisdom teeth are correctly positioned in your mouth and not causing any pain or oral health problems, you may not need to have any removed. However, wisdom teeth can cause serious issues and severe pain. If a problem is detected with the development of your wisdom tooth, it is advised that you have it removed as soon as possible. The most common reasons for having your wisdom teeth removed include tooth decay, gum infection, pressure pain, othodontic reasons, prosthetic reasons, or cyst formation. 

To have wisdom teeth removal covered, you will need to have a high level of extras cover. In some cases health insurance extras may cover wisdom teeth removal, for example if it is required due to an impacted tooth. Most extras cover policies include general dental treatments like small fillings, but do not include major dental procedures, like wisdom tooth extractions.  

Generally, you do not need a specialist to remove your wisdom teeth. Most wisdom teeth removals can be performed by a general dentist, so many patients do not need to visit oral and maxillofacial surgeons. You may be referred to an oral surgeon if your case is very complex. 

The duration of a wisdom tooth extraction depends on how many teeth need to be extracted. It can take up to an hour and a half to remove all four wisdom teeth. 

General anaesthetic is rarely necessary as most wisdom teeth extractions can be done in-chair. Your smile.com.au dentist will typically give you an injection of local anaesthetic to numb your tooth and the surrounding area. While you will be awake during the procedure and may experience some pressure, you should not feel any pain. You may also breathe in nitrous oxide to relax during the extraction. Alternatively, you can also receive sedation anaesthesia through an intravenous line in your arm. 

If your wisdom tooth extraction is more difficult or time consuming, the price of your treatment can be affected. You can choose to have your wisdom teeth removed by a dentist in the chair with local anaesthetic, or have the treatment performed while you’re asleep under general anaesthetic in hospital. It will cost more to have your teeth removed under general anaesthetic. 

Many people experience issues with their wisdom teeth. The most common problems caused by wisdom teeth include pain, damage to nearby teeth and teeth crowding. You may experience pain or swelling while your wisdom teeth grow in, or you may have no symptoms at all, even though your other teeth may be at risk of damage. This is why it is so important to have a wisdom tooth assessment performed by a professional dentist. There are several issues that can be caused by wisdom teeth, including: tooth decay, gum infection, pressure pain, or cyst formation.

If your wisdom tooth is impacted, saliva, bacteria and food can accumulate around it. This causes decay to the wisdom tooth or the tooth beside it. This often leads to a painful infection.

If your tooth has partially erupted through the gum, food particles and / or bacteria can accumulate beneath the gum which results in a local infection. This can lead to pain, swelling and bad breath. You may even find it difficult to chew or open your mouth fully. This infection can spread to the cheek and neck.

When a wisdom tooth develops, it can cause a lot of pressure against the other teeth in the mouth as they try to make room. This can cause severe pressure pain and can even lead to erosion of the other teeth.

If you have received orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, your wisdom teeth can compromise the results by moving your teeth out of place.

When a patient requires dentures, they are advised to have any wisdom teeth removed. If a wisdom tooth grows in beneath a denture, it can lead to irritation. If it is then removed, the patient will require new dentures as this changes the shape of the gums and mouth.

A cyst (fluid-filled sac) can form from the tissue surrounding an impacted wisdom tooth. This can lead to bone destruction, jaw enlargement and movement or decay of nearby teeth. The removal of the tooth and cyst is required to avoid further bone loss. Tumours can develop inside these cysts and they can even result in a fractured jaw if left to grow. 

When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it is almost certain to cause issues if ignored, especially if it is a lower wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth are also notorious for causing severe pain. It is best to have an impacted wisdom tooth removed as soon as the problem is detected as to avoid any further issues.

In most cases, wisdom teeth removal can be performed as an in-chair procedure. This means that you will go home the same day as your procedure. Prior to your procedure, you can prepare by:

1. Arranging transport
2. Avoiding eating or drinking before surgery (if necessary)
3. Arriving early
4. Being prepared for anaesthesia
5. Discussing questions with your dentist
6. Preparing post-operative care
7. Taking time off to recover

You should ask any questions about your upcoming wisdom teeth removal procedure that you feel like you need or want to know. Our dentist will happily answer your questions. Common questions to ask include:

• How complicated do you expect the procedure to be?
• How long will the procedure take?
• What type of anaesthesia will I need?
• Do I need to fast before surgery?
• Have my wisdom teeth caused any damage to the other teeth?
• Is there a risk that I might experience nerve damage?
• How many wisdom teeth do I need to have removed?
• How long will it take to recover fully and return to normal activity?
• Are there any other treatments I might require after wisdom tooth extraction?
• What should I avoid immediately after surgery?

Our dentist usually prescribe pain relief, you can ask our dentist to let you fill the prescription a day early. By getting your pain medication early, you can avoid a trip to the pharmacy while groggy.

From general oral hygiene to eliminating painful and unpleasant symptoms, there are many benefits to getting your wisdom teeth extracted.

You may find it difficult to reach your wisdom teeth with your toothbrush or floss. This leads to a build-up of bacteria, sugars and acids that can result in a cavity. If not restored with a filling, the cavity may spread and damage more of the tooth and surrounding structures.

Being so hard to access with your daily oral hygiene regime, this accumulation of bacteria and food debris can cause bad breath.

If your wisdom tooth is still under the gums, growing in horizontally rather than vertically, this can put a lot of pressure on the surrounding teeth, leading to crowded and crooked teeth. This can also occur when there is not enough space in the jawbone or mouth to accommodate the wisdom tooth. You may require braces to repair the damage.

While still under the gums, your wisdom tooth can become irritated. The soft tissue sitting over the tooth can accumulate bacteria and food debris before becoming infected.

There is a possibility that further issues will occur the longer you wait and the older you get. This is because as you age, the jawbone surrounding the tooth becomes progressively dense making the tooth more problematic to extract. It may also take longer to heal.

By removing your wisdom teeth, you avoid potential damage to your other teeth. You also avoid other problems associated with wisdom teeth, including cysts, decay, and gum disease. As you age, wisdom teeth removal surgery becomes more difficult and complex, which in turns involves a longer recovery and higher risks.

Because they are hard to clean, your wisdom teeth may be more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease than your other teeth. When an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, damages surrounding teeth, or causes other infections, you may experience the following:

• Swollen, tender, red, or bleeding gums
• Jaw pain
• Swelling around the jaw area
• Bad breath
• Difficulty opening your mouth

 As with every medical procedure, wisdom tooth removals also have disadvantages.

Depending on the size, shape and position of your wisdom tooth, removal can range from being a simple extraction to a more complex process. In the case of a simple extraction, you can generally expect little swelling, bruising and bleeding. More complex extractions will often result in more severe bruising, swelling and bleeding. Your smile.com.au dentist will provide post-operative care instructions to alleviate any pain or discomfort caused by the procedure.

You may experience a longer healing process if you wait to remove your wisdom teeth. The longer you wait, and the more you age, the more potential for problems to arise. As you age, the bone surrounding your wisdom tooth becomes denser, which increases the complexity of your extraction

After your procedure, you may experience a condition called "dry socket". Less than 5% of people develop this condition following a tooth extraction. While uncomfortable, this condition is easily treatable. Once a tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms to protect the bone and nerves underneath. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot becomes dislodged or dissolves, leaving the bone and nerves exposed to anything that enters the mouth, such as air, food, or fluid. You are more likely to experience dry socket if you:

• Smoke
• Have poor oral hygiene
• Have wisdom teeth pulled
• Have severe trauma during your tooth extraction
• Use birth control bills
• Have a history of dry socket

 The recovery time from wisdom tooth extraction varies depending on the individual and the complexity of the procedure. However, some general estimates are as follows :

• The initial recovery period usually lasts for about 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. During this time, you may experience some bleeding, swelling, pain, and discomfort. You should follow your dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions on how to care for the extraction site, such as applying ice packs, taking pain medication, and rinsing with salt water. You should also avoid any strenuous activity, smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating hard or sticky foods.
• The secondary recovery period can take up to two weeks after the surgery. During this time, you may still have some swelling, bruising, and stiffness in your jaw. You should continue to keep the extraction site clean and avoid any foods or habits that can irritate or infect the area. You should also monitor your healing progress and watch out for any signs of complications, such as fever, pus, severe pain, or numbness. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.
• The complete recovery period can take up to six weeks after the surgery. During this time, the extraction site should be fully healed and the gum tissue should have closed over the bone. You should be able to resume your normal diet and oral hygiene routine. However, you should still be careful not to damage the area with sharp or hard objects, such as toothpicks or fingernails.

Yes, you can eat after wisdom tooth extraction, but you need to be careful about what you eat and how you eat it. Here are some general guidelines:

After a wisdom tooth extraction, it is typically recommended to wait until the anesthesia wears off completely before attempting to eat or drink anything. This period usually lasts around 1-2 hours after the procedure.

Once the initial recovery period has passed, you can gradually begin to introduce soft and easy-to-chew foods into your diet. Examples of liquid and soft foods include apple sauce, yogurt, smoothies, broths and blended soups, mashed potatoes, Jell-O, pudding, and ice cream. Cold foods like Jell-O, smoothies, and ice cream may relieve some discomfort. Nutrient-rich soups and smoothies can help promote healing.

As you start to heal, you can incorporate more normal foods. Start off easy with semisoft foods like scrambled eggs, instant oatmeal, and toast before moving to foods like chicken, fruits, and vegetables.

There are some foods that you should avoid following your wisdom teeth removal. Stick to the foods listed above for the first few days. Avoid the following foods for a week or more until the extraction site has healed.

• Acidic and spicy foods (including citrus juice) may cause irritation and pain.
• Alcoholic beverages can irritate the area and are likely to interact negatively with the pain medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Grains (including rice and quinoa) and any types of seeds can easily become trapped in the extraction site.
• Hard or difficult-to-chew foods (including nuts, chips, and jerky) can reopen the stitches and delay healing.

You should also avoid smoking or using any type of tobacco for a minimum of 72 hours after surgery as it can severely increase the risk of complications.

Managing pain after wisdom tooth extraction can be challenging, but there are some steps you can take to ease your discomfort and promote healing. Here are some tips: 

• Take pain medication as prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon to help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. However, you should be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage or duration, as they may have side effects or cause dependence. 
• Apply an ice pack to the outside of your mouth on and off for up to two days after the surgery. This will help minimize swelling, bruising, and discomfort. You can wrap the ice pack in a towel or cloth to protect your skin from frostbite. You should avoid applying heat to the area, as this may increase bleeding or inflammation. 
• Use a saltwater rinse to keep your mouth clean and promote healing. You can make your own rinse by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gently swish the solution around your mouth for a few seconds and spit it out. You can do this several times a day, especially after eating or drinking. You should avoid using mouthwash, alcohol, or tobacco, as these may irritate or infect the extraction site.
• Eat soft and easy-to-chew foods that do not require much jaw movement. Examples of liquid and soft foods include: apple sauce, yogurt, smoothies, broths and blended soups, mashed potatoes, Jell-O, pudding, and ice cream124. Cold foods like Jell-O, smoothies, and ice cream may relieve some discomfort. Nutrient-rich soups and smoothies can help promote healing1. You should avoid hard, sticky, spicy, or acidic foods, such as nuts, chips, jerky, candy, citrus, or tomato, as these may reopen the stitches, delay healing, or cause pain. 
• Rest and elevate your head for the first few days after the surgery. This will help reduce bleeding and swelling and speed up recovery. You should avoid any strenuous activity, such as exercise, lifting, or bending, as this may increase blood pressure and cause bleeding or pain24. You should also avoid lying flat on your back, as this may cause blood to pool in your mouth and throat.