Gentle Tooth Removal, Focused on Your Comfort
When a tooth can no longer be preserved, extraction may be recommended to protect your oral health.
Gentle Tooth Removal, Focused on Your Comfort
When a tooth can no longer be preserved, extraction may be recommended to protect your oral health.
We would encourage you whenever possible to save any teeth that you have but if extraction is your preferred or only option, we can certainly extract the tooth for you.
We can do extractions from the most basic to more involved procedures such as surgical extractions and wisdom teeth.
What are wisdom teeth?
When they align properly, and the gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, or even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.
If wisdom teeth are poorly positioned and impacted, they can cause many problems. When partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause decay on the wisdom tooth, adjacent tooth or gum infections. The result can include swelling, stiffness, pain and illness.
The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumours or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems.
Early removal
Early removal is often recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure. Recovery time and level of trauma is usually lower for younger patients. Also, in many cases it is ideal to remove the wisdom teeth before the roots have fully grown in close proximity to a nerve.
Teeth that are impacted or partially impacted
Pressure against neighbouring teeth, causing crowding
Difficulty cleaning the area
Subsequent infections or decay in the wisdom tooth or neighbouring tooth
Evaluation of teeth
With an oral examination and OPG X-rays of the mouth, the doctors at the Dental Centre can evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth and predict if there may be future problems. Studies have shown that early evaluation and treatment result in a better outcome for the patient. Patients are generally first evaluated in the mid-teenage years.
At Dental Centre Maroochydore, we perform regular surgical sessions for removal of wisdom teeth under twilight Sedation or local anaesthetic using our highly trained and experienced dental surgeon and dental anaesthetist. We do a lot of wisdom teeth removal on referral from other dentists, but we do not require a referral letter to treat you.
When do I need to get my wisdom teeth removed?
In teenagers and young adults, wisdom teeth can be monitored via dental x-rays before they erupt. These x-rays will show if your wisdom teeth are present below the gum line and if there is room in your mouth for them to come in. In some cases, dentists may recommend wisdom tooth removal even if you aren't yet having discomfort or pain.
Wisdom teeth that cannot fully come in are called impacted, which means they may erupt at an angle. In these cases, wisdom teeth can cause damage to surrounding teeth and soft tissue by exerting pressure on them. Some impacted teeth only partially erupt, creating a flap of gum tissue. Food and other debris can become trapped between the tissue flap and the tooth, resulting in an infection.
Additionally, cysts can form around impacted teeth. Cysts are pockets of fluid that can damage bone, surrounding teeth, and gums. Antibiotics can treat infections, but in many instances, removing wisdom teeth is necessary to permanently treat the problem.
Wisdom Tooth Surgery Pre-operative Instructions
Items that we advise you purchase prior to your surgery include the following:
Painkillers:
Ibuprofen 200mg tablets (Neurofen) Paracetamol 500mg tablets (Panadol) You may be given a prescription for additional pain relief on the day
Mouthwash:
Savacol alcohol free mouthwash can reduce the risk of dry socket if used 2 to 3 times a day for one week following surgery.
Extra Soft Toothbrush:
It is important to continue to clean teeth adjacent to the surgery site, a softer toothbrush will be more comfortable.
Food:
You must not eat hot food or drink when you return home on the day of surgery. It is advisable to have soft, cold foods available, such as yoghurt, smoothie, ice-cream etc... Soft foods (hot or cold) that are easy to chew and can be eaten with restricted mouth opening will be ideal in the first 5 days following surgery.
Ice Packs:
Although there is no good evidence that the use of ice packs following wisdom tooth surgery improves the recovery outcomes, some people feel that it is of benefit to them. Take care not to burn skin especially if still numb, and do not apply ice for longer than 10 minutes at a time.
Antibiotics:
Routine Antibiotic use after Wisdom Tooth Surgery is not indicated.
Post Operative Instructions for Extractions/ Oral Surgery
- If you are biting on a gauze pad, maintain the pressure for at least half an hour, then remove it from your mouth.
- Do not rinse your mouth today, but tomorrow rinse with warm salt water or mouthwash at least 3 times a day for a week.
- Avoid hot foods and drinks today and avoid smoking for at least 48 hrs (ideally 5 days no smoking).
- Alcohol should be avoided on the day of treatment
- It is normal to feel pain when the anaesthetic wears off. It is advisable to take pain relief tablets such as ibuprofen and/or paracetamol before the anaesthetic wears off.
- After the removal of wisdom teeth and some other surgical procedures, swelling of the face is common. Anti-inflammatory pain killers such as ibuprofen will help with this. Use an ice pack if it gives you relief.
- If bleeding recommences, the following should be carried out:
- Clean the mouth of any blood by rinsing gently with water.
- Fold the spare gauze or a handkerchief into a tight pad, place over wound and bite down applying pressure.
- It usually feels sore, but this is normal. Keep this up for at least one hour.
- If bleeding continues, please call the surgery. Some blood in your mouth and red tainting of saliva is normal on the day of surgery.
If pain is still significant or worsening after 5 days, or you are uncertain about anything else please don’t hesitate to contact the surgery on (07)54432011.
Dry Socket
Dry socket is a painful inflammatory condition that can occur in your tooth socket a few days after a tooth is extracted. It is not an infection. The condition usually develops when a blood clot fails to form in the socket, or if the blood clot comes loose. Dry socket occurs in approximately 5% of all tooth extractions, and 30% of wisdom tooth extractions. It is much more common in smokers or difficult extractions in the lower jaw.
Normally, the blood clot that forms after a tooth is removed promotes healing, laying the foundation for the growth of new bone and gum tissue. When the clot is missing the exposed bone socket becomes irritated. Symptoms usually start 4-5 days after the extraction. The condition will manifest itself as an increasing severe pain that doesn’t subside, and is different from the initial post-surgery pain. You may also have an unpleasant taste in your mouth and bad breath.
Preparing for a tooth extraction
Preparing for a tooth extraction
You will need to have a consultation with your dentist to confirm that your pain and discomfort is caused by your teeth. If you are having the procedure under general anaesthesia, your dentist will give you instructions on how long you need to fast for before surgery.
You will also need to organise for someone to pick you up, as you shouldn't drive after having general anaesthesia or sedatives.
Twilight sedation
We perform regular twilight sedation (sleep dentistry) sessions in a safe environment for removal of wisdom teeth and difficult oral surgery. Our surgical dentist has specific training and significant experience in complex oral surgery and performs a lot of procedures on referral from other dentists.
Recovering from a tooth extraction
After your teeth are removed, some jaw swelling, pain and bleeding are normal. Use ice packs to help reduce swelling and apply pressure with clean gauze if bleeding occurs. Avoid hot food and beverages during the first 24 hours.
Plan to take it easy and rest for the first day or two, with help around the house if needed. Drink plenty of water and stick to soft foods while the extraction area begins to heal.
For most people, pain and discomfort resolve over about a week. Your dentist will advise you on suitable pain medication and whether antibiotics are required. Avoid smoking, vaping or drinking through a straw during recovery, as suction can increase the risk of developing dry socket.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, please get in touch. Food and other debris can become caught in a dry socket and result in an infection.
Throughout your recovery, we will be there to answer any of your questions. Get in touch with our friendly team to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of tooth extraction varies, depending on how difficult they are to remove, where the procedure is performed and who performs it. Delaying tooth removals can lead to more complications, resulting in not only pain but additional costs.
On average the recovery time for a tooth extraction is 1-2 weeks. However, most people can back to their normal routine within 3-5 days.
Your dentist will provide post-operative instructions to keep your comfortable while you heal.
Dry socket is a complication that can occur after any tooth removal. When teeth are extracted, a blood clot forms over the extraction site. This clot protects bones and nerve endings. If the clot doesn't form or later becomes dislodged, a dry socket can result.
Dry socket typically occurs 1-3 days after your wisdom teeth are removed, and symptoms include:
- Severe pain that gets worse and is not lessened by medication.
- Pain radiating on the same side of your face as the extraction.
- Bad taste or odour in the mouth.
- Seeing visible bone.