When growing up, from a toddler through to adolescence, teeth gradually emerge from behind the gum. Sometimes teeth develop into molars, also referred to as flat teeth. These molars develop at the back of the mouth on both sides and are typically the last teeth to erupt. The third molars that develop in the back of the mouth are known as wisdom teeth.
When wisdom teeth develop, it’s typically because they are trying to erupt into the jaw when there is an insufficient area for them to do so.
Although not everyone gets wisdom teeth, most individuals do, and it’s highly common for this to happen.
Wisdom teeth that have not fully erupted can be problematic. These are impacted teeth, and they typically do not emerge in a straight line.
The dentist won’t advise removing your wisdom teeth if they aren’t harming your neighbouring teeth. Wisdom teeth are frequently extracted if they are “impacted” and endanger your oral health further because they haven’t developed normally or haven’t broken through the gum tissue.
Your dental health suffers further consequences when this occurs. This could result in:
You might encounter a few of the warning signs or symptoms listed below at home, which could mean you need to have your wisdom teeth pulled:
The dentist will prepare you appropriately so that you feel little to no pain before the wisdom teeth extraction process is carried out. Local anaesthesia is administered inside the gum tissue near the damaged tooth after your dental examination.
To make it simpler to reach the wisdom tooth, the surgeon aims to expand the jaw gap. The surgeon may chop the tooth into tiny pieces if the tooth is difficult to remove as a whole because it hasn’t grown through the gum or is only partially erupted, making it difficult to access the wisdom tooth.
After being removed, the wound is then patched. A gauze pad is provided to bite on to stop as much of the bleeding as possible if blood forms, which is a likely occurrence. This causes a blood clot to form.
The blood clot is necessary for protecting the nerve and bone structures beneath. This takes time to fully develop.
Stop using gauze after a wisdom tooth extraction when bleeding has significantly reduced, usually within 2-3 hours. Replace gauze every 30-45 minutes initially, and discontinue once it remains mostly clean and a clot has formed.
In Australia, the cost of wisdom tooth removal can vary as many factors can impact the cost. Dental care is relatively expensive in Australia on average, and it is important that you make sure you consider the following factors:
Typically, the average cost can depend on how straightforward or complicated wisdom teeth removal treatment is. Simple extractions for a single wisdom tooth can typically start from $200. In comparison, wisdom teeth that require a surgical extraction can start from $300. The dentist will be best placed to support you with this when a pre-examination is performed.
It is worth speaking to your dentist regarding whether you have dental insurance because if wisdom teeth removal is part of your insurance, you can discuss a payment plan with your dentist.
Consult the dentists in Sutherland for advice on wisdom teeth removal, including personalised treatment options and guidance on costs and procedures.