Wisdom Teeth Removal in Sutherland

Wisdom teeth usually emerge in the late teens or early twenties, and they can cause many problems if they don’t fully emerge. It’s generally better to remove wisdom teeth at a younger age, between 18 and 24. This is because the roots and bone are not fully formed at this age, so recovery is generally faster after a surgical extraction. If you wait until you are older, the roots and bone are more likely to be fully formed, which can make oral surgery more difficult and recovery time longer. Early removal of wisdom teeth can also help reduce the risk of complications.

If your wisdom teeth are giving you trouble, we encourage you to schedule a consultation appointment at The Smile Space. Our experienced team can assess your mouth and help determine if it’s time for you to have a third molar extraction in Sutherland.

Wisdom tooth removal is a common treatment in dentistry, usually performed under local anaesthesia. First, the dentist will make an incision in the gums to expose the bone region. Next, they will use special instruments to remove the bone material blocking access to the tooth root. 

After bone removal, the dentist might divide the tooth into sections to make the extraction process easier. The tooth can then be removed from the mouth. Finally, the dentist will remove debris and clean the extraction site. They may also place stitches in the wound in order to facilitate the healing process and cover it with gauze to help a blood clot form. The entire dental procedure usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

While sedation is not always necessary for the removal of teeth, it is an option for complex treatments or patients who have dental anxiety. Local anaesthesia will suffice for some patients who need only a simple extraction. It numbs the area around the tooth so that the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure.

While wisdom teeth removal is a relatively simple procedure, it’s important to take some time to rest and recover afterwards. After having your wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to follow the restrictions outlined by your dentist, including:

• Don’t drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure, as anaesthesia can take 24 to 48 hours to wear off. Have someone drive you to and from the dental clinic.
  
  
• Avoid touching the wound area to prevent irritation.
  
  
• For the first 24 hours after the dental treatment, avoid doing things that can dislodge the blood clot, such as vigorously rinsing your mouth, spitting, and drinking from a straw.
  
  
• Avoid strenuous exercise and activities for the first four to five days after tooth extraction, as they can cause excessive bleeding.
  
  
• Don’t smoke and drink alcohol for at least 24 hours to prevent complications.
  
  
• Don’t eat hard or sharp foods, such as popcorn and nuts, for at least a week, as they may cause damage or get stuck to the extraction site. Eat only soft foods such as pudding, mashed potatoes, and soup.
  
  
• Avoid extremely hot foods and drinks as they can burn the extraction site.

Everyone is different; some people’s healing time may take a little longer. In most cases, recovery from the extraction of wisdom teeth is pretty straightforward. The first few days after the oral surgery, you’ll likely experience some swelling, bleeding, and pain. 

Your friendly dentist will prescribe pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs to help with this. About a week or two after the dental treatment, you should be feeling back to normal. However, it can take several months for the holes left by your wisdom teeth to heal completely.