We understand if you’re feeling anxious about having your wisdom teeth removed; we’ve heard the horror stories too. However, a lot has changed with wisdom teeth removal in recent years. We’re happy to report that it’s no longer the dreaded experience it once was. In fact, the procedure is very common at Sydney Dental Aesthetics and Implants, and it’s not as painful as you think.
Wise up about wisdom teeth
Your third set of molars and the last set of teeth to come into the adult mouth, wisdom teeth develop on both your lower and upper gums.
In most cases, they will erupt from the ages of 17 to 21, but can also happen later into adulthood. Perhaps it’s getting your wisdom teeth as an adult that makes you fear the thought of extractions – you’re more likely to remember it.
Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Wisdom teeth are notorious for causing issues, so while not everyone needs them removed (in fact, not everyone has wisdom teeth!), we do see a large number of patients who need them extracted. This can be because:
- There isn’t enough room in your mouth, and the wisdom teeth become impacted
- They grow in the wrong direction
- They don’t fully erupt
- You have tooth decay
- You have jaw problems
Avoiding dental treatment can lead to swelling, pain or future infections, so it’s important to speak to your dentist as soon as you experience discomfort.
What happens during a wisdom tooth extraction?
We believe that knowledge is power, and want to empower our patients.
After getting comfortable in the chair, our Principal Dentist, Dr Dean Licenblat, will administer the anaesthetic. We use the latest techniques at SDAI so you won’t feel a thing. The type of anaesthetic will depend on your unique situation, so Dr Dean will go through all the options with you in advance.
Dr Dean will then expose the affected tooth and remove it. The whole procedure should take less than two hours, and then you can head home. Make sure to organise a lift if you’ve had sedation or a general anaesthetic.
The recovery process is the longest part of the procedure, and you can expect to feel some pain and swelling while the site heals. Get plenty of rest, eat soft foods, and keep up the painkillers.
Still anxious? You can sleep through the procedure!
Our very own Dr Melissa Licenblat, expert in sedation and sleep dentistry, will be on hand to put you at ease during your procedure.
Modern sedation dentistry has made oral surgery a breeze, so you don’t have to fear a trip to the dentist anymore. We can adjust the level of sedation depending on your preference, placing you into calm and relaxed state where you will have little to no memory of the procedure!
Sleep dentistry is a great option for people with a fear of the dentist, or patients who require multiple extractions.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a safe and effective procedure, so don’t put it off.
If you think your wisdom teeth are coming in or are causing you issues, contact the friendly team at SDAI and book a complimentary consultation with us today!