The experienced dental practitioners at Toothsome apply their skills and expertise to ensure our patients a speedy wisdom teeth removal recovery.
Despite the anxiety that the procedure might conjure up for some patients, wisdom tooth removal is a relatively common procedure and, when performed with the appropriate skill and care, most patients are able to recover to full function quickly.
What Are The Wisdom Teeth And Why Are They Removed?
Your wisdom teeth are a third set of molars, located at the back of your jaw. In some people the wisdom teeth present problems or complications and need to be removed. If your wisdom teeth do not present with problems, there is no reason to remove them. Some people choose to have their wisdom teeth removed prophylactically if they are travelling overseas to places with limited access to healthcare.
Some of the most common complications include the wisdom teeth becoming impacted, decayed, misalignment of the teeth and infection.
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection because the tooth only emerges in part; the other part is under the gum. This can allow bacteria access to the gums, creating a higher risk of infection.
Furthermore, when your wisdom teeth are impacted, it’s more difficult to brush and floss between them, making them more susceptible to infection. Impacted wisdom teeth may erupt partially, horizontally, vertically or at an angle. Each case presents unique problems that make dental hygiene more challenging for the patient.
Your dentist Dr David Willis will take an x-ray to determine the position and angle of your wisdom teeth, speak to you about your medical history and inspect your mouth before attempting any extraction.
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection because the tooth only emerges in part; the other part is under the gum. This can allow bacteria access to the gums, creating a higher risk of infection.
How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Extraction Cost?
Your wisdom teeth extraction cost will depend on your personal circumstances. The longer or more complex your extraction is, the longer you will spend in the dentist’s chair and the more expensive it will be.
The cost of wisdom tooth extraction in Australia is up to $500 per tooth, according to the results οf 2017’s National Dental Fee Survey. A procedure where all four are removed at once, averages $2322. If you require general anaesthetic, your procedure is more complex and you can expect to pay between $1500 and $3000 per extracted tooth.
At Toothsome, you will find our fees are very competitive. Wisdom teeth removal is one of our three core services (periodontics, dental implants, wisdom teeth removal) so we are able to streamline our costs. Please feel free to call us if you would like to know our fees for wisdom teeth removal awake or asleep in hospital.
Are Wisdom Tooth Extractions Covered By Health Insurance?
Wisdom tooth removal is usually a major dental procedure so would fall under a health insurance policy with major dental cover. Every health fund has different levels of cover so you would need to check with your health fund after seeing Dr Willis at the complimentary consultation. Dr Willis will provide you with an itemised list of codes and fees so you can check your health fund rebate before proceeding.
If you prefer to be asleep in hospital for your wisdom teeth removal, there is also a hospital day surgery fee and an anaesthetic fee. These fees fall under a health insurance policy with hospital cover. Toothsome has negotiated preferential rates for the hospital and anaesthetic fees. Please discuss with Dr Willis at the complimentary consultation for further information specific to your circumstances.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Wisdom Tooth Removal?
At most it should take a week or two to recover from your wisdom tooth removal. Some people find they recover faster but having a few days to rest is important to help your body heal.
It can take up to a month for the socket to heal with gum tissue. The bone underneath the extraction will heal fully in around three to six months.
Recovering From Wisdom Tooth Removal
The advice below is general in nature only. If you are having trouble breathing or swallowing or have a life-threatening condition, you should present to your local emergency department or call emergency services.
After-hours emergency phone number
At Toothsome, all our patients have access to an after-hours emergency contact number. We want our patients to feel reassured and safe during the healing period. If our patients have any concerns when they get home or after hours, they can call us. We also call all of our surgery patients the following day to answer any questions and provide support.
Managing pain and discomfort
Your dentist will numb the area before extracting your tooth so you will not feel anything when the tooth is removed.
The day after your procedure, when the anaesthetic has worn off, you might feel some mild pain or discomfort but this can be managed by taking the painkillers your dentist prescribes for you. At Toothsome, we normally recommend to our patients to start taking their pain medication before the anaesthetic has worn off.
Managing bleeding
You might experience some light bleeding so it’s also important to follow all instructions provided by your dentist. For small light bleeding you can apply gauze with gentle pressure, or bite down on it.
Managing swelling
Some people find their cheeks or gums swell up after their wisdom teeth have been extracted. Applying an ice pack within the first 24 hours to the swollen area is an effective way to manage this.
Avoiding An Infection
In the event that you experience any of the symptoms below, you should contact your Toothsome immediately as it may be a sign of an infection
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop under pressure
- An increase in swelling
- A fever
- A bad taste in your mouth or bad breath
- Swelling in the neck or jaw
- An increase in pain that doesn’t improve
Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours after the extraction and do not touch the site with your tongue or fingers.
By following your dentist’s post-surgical advice, your risk of experiencing an infection is significantly lower.
To find out more about wisdom tooth extraction recovery, please contact us for your complimentary consultation appointment:
Chatswood (Dr. Willis & Dr. Chou): (02) 8203 8786
Baulkham Hills (Dr. Willis & Dr. Chou): (02) 9158 6637
Sydney (Dr. Willis): (02) 9159 3728
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Dr. David Willis is a highly skilled dentist in Chatswood with over 20 years of experience as a Medical Doctor and Dental Surgeon. Specialising in oral surgery, including dental implants and wisdom teeth removal, Dr. David Willis is known for his expertise and friendly approach, providing exceptional care to patients in the Chatswood area.