So, pain becomes your new friend? Or do you want to get rid of it? We are not talking about your emotional ride, but the physical pain coming due to the erupted wisdom tooth. It can be quite a tormenting pain and affect your daily process and schedule. That is why it is better to get in touch with your Family Dentistry for Wisdom Teeth Extraction as quickly as possible.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 19% of Australian adults reported experiencing a toothache in the previous 12 months, and about 70% of adults have at least one wisdom tooth impacted. If you’ve been experiencing discomfort at the back of your mouth, it’s time to visit the experts at Dentist At Dickson. At our Canberra clinic, we specialize in safe, minimally invasive wisdom tooth extraction, while guiding you through every process step by step.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
The final set of molars that erupt in the back of your mouth is called wisdom teeth. Between the ages of 17 and 25, it typically develops. They frequently don’t grow symmetrically and are trapped behind the gums, which begin to grow at strange angles, as a result of modern jaw sizes.
Do You Really Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Not all wisdom teeth require removal. However, if they are impacted, angled, or causing issues like recurrent infections (pericoronitis), extraction is often the best course of treatment. Studies show that prophylactic removal— that is, before symptoms occur—can prevent major complications. It may not need extraction unless there is a clear risk involved.
Why should you extract your Wisdom Teeth?
If they are,
1. Impacted, angled, or hard to clean.
2. Swelling, pain, or repeated infections.
3. Posing risks to adjacent teeth or bone structure.
4. Developing cysts or decaying due to poor access.
If you ignore this, it can be painful, like alveolar osteitis (dry socket) or damage to your jaw and surrounding teeth, which can cause bone infections.
With over 58 years of experience in the field, we can assure you that our team provides the most gentle and high-quality care for our beloved community in Canberra. Here is a step-by-step process we follow to ensure your comfort and safety.
1. Assessment & Imaging
We begin with a full examination, where an expert dentist evaluates your complaints, signs, and symptoms that you are experiencing. Then, we clinically correlated with digital X-rays. It helps to assess precisely the tooth’s position and its proximity to nerves, especially in the lower jaw.
2. Anesthesia Options
Depending on your symptoms and requirements, we opt for the option that is safest and best for your condition. We provide Local anesthesia to numb the area, and General anesthesia is mostly reserved for complex cases.
3. Tooth Removal
The severity of the condition determines the wisdom teeth extraction technique. A standard extraction procedure is carried out if the tooth has completely emerged through the gums. Nevertheless, if the current tooth is pressing against neighbouring teeth or is lodged in the bone. In this kind of case, a surgical removal is required. The tooth can be cut into tiny pieces, or the surrounding bone can be cut off to remove it painlessly.
Days 1–2: Swelling, mild bleeding — icing and rest are essential.
Days 3–4: Swelling and tenderness should be reduced gradually.
Week 2: Bruising and discomfort usually resolve. Your dentist may check your healing progress. Common Complications & Precautions
Common Complications & Precautions
There can be few complications during Wisdom Tooth Extraction, and it is essential to take the required precautions for timely recovery.
- Dry Socket: It occurs when a blood clot dislodges, leaving the bone exposed and affecting up to 30% of impacted extractions. It can usually happen after 3-4 days of wisdom tooth removal.
- Swelling & Infection: Manageable with antibiotics and good hygiene.
- Nerve Injury: Temporary numbness affecting the lip or chin occurs in about 1‑5%; permanent damage is rare (<1%)
- Oroantral Fistula: Sinus communication when upper wisdom teeth roots are close to sinuses; it is quite uncommon (2‑3%), though.
Optimizing Recovery
- You must do ice cheeks intermittently (15 min on/off) for 36 hours
- Keep your head elevated when resting to reduce swelling.
- It is necessary to avoid straws, spitting, and smoking to protect the clot.
- You must eat soft, cool foods; advance slowly by day 3–4
- Keep doing salt-water rinses after 24 hrs to maintain socket hygiene.
- Take NSAIDs/Paracetamol for pain; opioids only if prescribed.
- If you feel sudden intolerable pain or uncontrolled bleeding, contact your dentist immediately.
Why Choose Us in Canberra?
Dentist At Dickson has proven expertise with 58 years of experience in the field. We provide advanced imaging and surgical procedures for Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Canberra with Comprehensive post-op recovery support. Or expert provides transparent, affordable care with dental insurance assistance.
Ready to Book?
Don’t wait for pain or complications to disrupt your life. Schedule your Consultation for wisdom teeth removal in Canberra today. We’ll provide a personalised plan, clear pricing, and a comfortable experience every step of the way.
FAQs
When Should You Need Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
When your tooth is impacted, angled, or hard to clean. If there is swelling, pain, or repeated infections in your tooth and affecting your bone structure or your tooth has developed a cyst or decay due to poor access.
At What Age Does Wisdom Teeth Extraction Happen? And Why?
It usually emerges between the ages of 17 and 25. When there is insufficient space in the jaw, resulting in pain, crowding, or the possibility of infection, extraction is frequently recommended.
Why Wisdom Tooth Become Painful?
They often grow asymmetrically because of the size of today’s jaws. They often get stuck under the gums, grow at odd angles, or crowd the teeth around them.
How long will it take to recover from a wisdom tooth removal?
Depending on the intricacy of the extraction and your rate of healing, recovery from wisdom tooth extraction usually takes one to two weeks. The socket may take a few weeks to fully heal, but most people can return to their regular activities in a few days.
Is wisdom teeth removal a major surgery?
When performed under local anesthesia, wisdom tooth removal is typically regarded as a minor oral surgery. However, if the teeth are impacted and need to be extracted surgically, the procedure may be more complicated, but it is still performed as a routine outpatient procedure.