Wisdom Teeth Removal Sydney

Wisdom teeth that are pain free don’t necessarily equal issue free. While not essential for the function or aesthetics of your teeth, if wisdom teeth don’t develop properly, they can cause serious dental problems.  

If you believe you may need your wisdom teeth removed, schedule an initial dental examination by calling (02) 9808 2588 or contact us online. We provide expert wisdom teeth removal in Sydney to the suburbs of Putney, Ryde, Gladesville, Meadowbank and surrounding areas.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth or third molars are the last teeth to grow into our mouth. Usually developing between the ages 17 and 25 in the very back, upper top and bottom areas on both sides of our mouth.  

While not everyone has all four wisdom teeth, how they grow into your mouth is what may cause further dental problems. Sometimes they develop unnoticed and don’t grow out through the gum line. Other times they don’t come through fully, grow at problematic angles or get stuck in the jaw bone or nearby teeth.

What Does Wisdom Teeth Pain Feel Like?

Not all wisdom teeth cause pain. However, when they become infected or impacted, they can cause sensitivity, swelling and pressure around the tooth and gum area. Over time, wisdom teeth can affect the nerve that runs through the jawbone beneath the teeth. This can cause pain to spread and stiffness to develop in your neck, face and ears. 

Wisdom tooth pain usually feels like: 

• Localised tooth or gum pain 
• Radiating pain from tooth
• Jaw pain or pressure that extends to neck and ears, or sinus pain
• Unknown source of pressure and sensitivity on your teeth
• Red, inflamed, bleeding and swollen gums near the wisdom tooth 
• Pressure on neighbouring teeth that may
• Facial swelling in cheeks and jaw and lymph nodes
• Swollen or sore lymph nodes below the jaw
• Difficulty swallowing or opening mouth

If you’re looking for some form of relief while you wait for your appointment, check out our guide on how to stop wisdom teeth pain.

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Removing wisdom teeth is usually recommended to resolve current and future problems. Commonly occurring in every 4 out of 5 people, this dental procedure is for people whose wisdom teeth haven’t grown in properly, cause pain and other issues or are at high risk of causing future problems.

According to the Australian Dental Association, not removing impacted and problematic wisdom teeth is risky for your health. Removing wisdom teeth usually resolves any issues and is best performed at a younger age because the bones in our mouth harden over time.  

As with any surgical or invasive procedure, a full assessment and evaluation will be conducted by your dentist to understand what is below the gum line and determine the best steps forward. This could mean monitoring the development of your wisdom teeth or removing them. 

You may have your wisdom teeth extracted for the following reasons:

• Impacted – when there isn’t enough space for your wisdom tooth to grow naturally, is positioned at an odd angle or is trapped within the gums or jawbone. Sometimes without obvious problems or pain, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection, tooth decay and severe pain as they push into surrounding teeth, damaging them and causing them to move. Impacted wisdom teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease compared to other teeth.
• Partial eruption – refers to a wisdom tooth that doesn’t emerge fully from the gum and can be seen on inspection. The gum flap over a partially erupted wisdom tooth is prone to swelling, inflammation or infection of the gum tissue and tooth as it’s difficult to completely clean and is prone to trapping bacteria in the mouth.
• Wrong position – problematic angles are when the wisdom tooth grows towards the next molar tooth, towards the back of the mouth, on a right angle, lying down within the jaw bone or trapped within the jaw (impacted).
• Limited space – where your jaw doesn’t have enough space for your wisdom teeth to come in so when they do, these molars push into other teeth causing pain and pressure. Wisdom teeth don’t directly cause teeth overcrowding, however, if there is limited space for them to grow correctly then it’s recommended that they are removed. 
• Poor oral hygiene – tooth infection, cavities,  gum infection (periodontitis), gum disease  (gingivitis), or a fluid-filled sac called a cyst in the gum or jaw bone. Where wisdom teeth are contributing to any of these issues, they will be removed to prevent more serious dental problems in the future.

Other signs and symptoms that you may need wisdom teeth extraction are a bad taste in your mouth, foul smell and bad breath. 

Is Wisdom Teeth Removal a Major Surgery?

Even though wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively safe and common day procedure, it’s still considered a form of major surgery. Each person’s mouth structure, case complexity, oral and medical history can provide risks that require more comprehensive care. 

Is it Normal to be Nervous Before Wisdom Teeth Removal?

It’s understandable to be nervous before any dental procedure, but it’s important to remember getting your wisdom teeth removed is for your overall dental health. Asking your dentist questions and knowing what to expect will help you prepare and calm your nerves before your wisdom teeth removal procedure. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost Sydney

The cost to remove your wisdom teeth in Sydney depends on a number of factors, including the number of teeth to be extracted, how complex the procedure is and the type of pain sedation. 

The total wisdom teeth removal price includes:  

• Initial dental consultation
• Dental x-ray and/or 3D imaging 
• Wisdom teeth removal under local or general anaesthesia
• Follow-up dental appointment

Speak with us directly for a full understanding of the costs of your wisdom tooth removal.

Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Covered by Medicare?

Wisdom teeth removal is not covered by Medicare, however, some patients may be eligible for certain government health concessions. This general dental procedure may be partially covered under private health insurance, depending on your insurance provider and level of coverage.

How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed at Putney Dental Care?

At Putney Dental Care, the wisdom tooth removal process has 3 stages: 

1. Initial consultation
2. Wisdom teeth removal surgery
3. Aftercare

1. Initial consultation 

At your first consultation, your dentist will seek to understand your symptoms and any concerns you have. They will assess your mouth with an oral exam and conduct an in-depth examination using Cone Beam 3D imaging to identify the exact position of each of your wisdom teeth, and surrounding nerves and bone structures. 

Your dentist will discuss their findings with you and advise their suggested treatment plan. If your wisdom teeth need to be removed, your dentist will provide you with personalised instructions and your teeth removal procedure will be scheduled.

2. Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

Wisdom tooth removal is an outpatient procedure, so after it’s finished you’ll be able to go home the same day. You’ll be given local or general anaesthesia dental sedation and then your dentist or oral surgeon will remove your wisdom teeth by: 

• Making a cut in the gum tissue, exposing the tooth and bone
• Removes any blockages to the tooth root
• Removes the entire tooth, in sections or as a whole
• Cleans the entire area
• Seals the open wound with stitches
• Gauze is placed over the area to control bleeding and help the blot clot form

How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Take? 

Depending on how many of your wisdom teeth need to be removed and how they are impacted in your jaw, the removal of a single wisdom tooth should take no longer than 20 minutes. Removing all 4 wisdom teeth should take a maximum of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

3. Aftercare 

Specific aftercare instructions will be provided by your dental surgeon, like actions you need to take within certain times, as well as what or what not to do to speed up your recovery. You will experience some pain, swelling and light bleeding immediately after the procedure. 

Crucial to healing is the formation of blood clots in the extraction site, where your tooth was removed from. Blood clots are protective and prevent excess bleeding and infection while new gum tissue is formed, usually after 1 week. If the blood isn’t able to clot or becomes dislodged you could experience a painful condition called dry socket which will extend your recovery time. 

You may be able to resume normal activities within 1-2 days or need up to a 1 week recovery period. Listen to your body and do what is best for you. Rest and sleep with your head elevated on the first night. Avoid any demanding physical activities, eat soft foods that require minimal chewing and take painkillers as needed. 

Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Painful?

During wisdom tooth surgery you will not feel any pain as the area is numbed with a local anaesthetic, or in more complex cases you will be asleep under general anaesthesia. Afterwards, once the anaesthetic wears off, you will feel discomfort and pain, as well as light bleeding, swelling and bruising. This may make it uncomfortable to open your jaw to eat and speak.

Sedation and pain relief options

Local anaesthetic is used to numb the entire area of your gum where your wisdom teeth will be removed so that you do not feel pain, using virtually painless anaesthetic delivery technology. Throughout the procedure, additional sedatives may be provided to ensure you feel comfortable. 

General anaesthesia will be used in special and complex cases, such as with a significantly impacted wisdom tooth.

After oral surgery, to relieve pain and inflammation from swelling you can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen. Your dentist may also prescribe stronger painkillers and antibiotics to reduce infection. 

How Long Does Numbing Last After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

The numbing feeling in your mouth from local anaesthesia will be felt for 2-5 hours after removing your wisdom teeth. You may not be able to clearly talk or use your mouth normally during this time. For wisdom teeth removal under general anaesthesia via IV sedation, you shouldn’t feel much numbing upon waking after your surgery. Although your concentration and reflexes can be affected for up to 24 hours.

How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Swelling Last?

After wisdom teeth removal, expect your cheeks and mouth to become swollen. While swelling varies from person to person, in general, it should peak 3-4 days after the procedure and will gradually reduce within 7 days. 

Swelling tends to be more significant after impacted wisdom tooth removal or when all 4 wisdom teeth were removed at the same time. If you’re worried about your swelling not going down, then contact your dentist. They may prescribe antibiotics or conduct an x-ray to identify potential causes.

How to Reduce Swelling After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Even though swelling is common after having your wisdom teeth removed, there are a few things you can do to reduce swollen cheeks and mouth, elevate pain and speed up your healing:

• Apply an icepack or cold compress to the affected area
• Apply a warm heat compress after 48 hours to help with any stiffness 
• Take painkillers that are anti-inflammatory 

It’s not recommended to suck on ice cubes as they could be too sharp, potentially causing more harm than good.

How Long Does it Take to Heal Wisdom Teeth?

Recovering from wisdom teeth removal surgery will happen gradually with improvements each day. Pain and swelling should decrease 3 days post-surgery. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions will help you recover and reduce any complications while healing such as infection and dry socket. 

Usually, you need to take 1-2 days off work to rest. It can take up to 2 weeks to recover, however, this can be longer if you had infected or impacted teeth. The wound from your tooth extraction will heal fully within a month.

Timeline for Wisdom Teeth Recovery

• First 24 hours – your mouth and cheeks will be swollen, you’ll feel pain, an unpleasant taste in your mouth and experience light bleeding. Blood clots in the extracted area will start to form, so replace your mouth gauze after a few hours. Stick to liquid foods and cleanse your mouth gently with a saltwater rinse after eating or drinking, do not brush or floss your teeth. Allow yourself to rest and sleep with your head elevated on several pillows. 
• 2-3 days – usually able to return to your normal routine (no strenuous physical activities until 1 month later). May begin gently brushing your teeth and eating softer foods like eggs, fish and oats. 
• 3-4 days – swelling of the mouth and cheeks will start to reduce as you recover, however, it can take up to a week for removed, infected or impacted wisdom teeth. 
• 7-10 days – new gum tissues form in the extraction area, any stiffness or soreness in your jaw should disappear. Drinking from straws, consuming alcohol and smoking can be resumed. 
• 2 weeks – should be mostly recovered and any bruising experienced will go away. 
• 2-3 weeks – mouth stitches will dissolve.
• 1 month – extraction area should be fully healed and you may begin more strenuous exercise and gradually start eating hard and crunchy foods.

What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removed

Soft foods are best to eat after removing your wisdom teeth.  It’s important that you eat nutritious soft foods to promote wound healing and reduce any complications. Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water will also help your recovery process. 

Foods to eat after having your wisdom teeth removed are: 

• Fruit and vegetable smoothies
• Applesauce and pureed fruits
• Mashed vegetables, lentils or beans
• Warm soup and broth
• Porridge or congee
• Rice and soft pasta or noodles
• Steamed fish
• Scrambled eggs
• Ice cream
• Yoghurt 

Avoid food and drinks that are hot, solid, crunchy, hard or spicy after wisdom teeth removal. Do not drink alcohol, carbonated drinks or from a straw for approximately 7-10 days after your procedure to avoid irritating the extraction area and dislodging the protective blood clot.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Putney, Ryde, Gladesville and Meadowbank

If you’ve noticed pain, discomfort or swelling from any of your wisdom teeth, contact Putney Dental Care online or by calling us on (02) 9808 2588. Our experienced professional dentists will perform a full assessment, advise if wisdom tooth removal is necessary and offer a personalised treatment solution.

We are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am-5pm, and from 8am-1pm on Saturdays, including for emergency dental appointments.

FAQs

How Should I Prepare for Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Before your procedure, your dentist will be able to answer all your wisdom teeth extraction questions. They’ll also provide specific instructions based on whether you’ll receive local or general anaesthesia. It’s best to arrange to take 1-2 days off work to rest and to stock up on soft foods and painkillers to assist you during recovery.

Do I Need a Ride Home After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

We recommend that you have someone take you home after getting wisdom teeth removal. If you received local anaesthesia, it’s safe for you to drive. However, if you received general anaesthesia via IV sedation then you cannot drive for at least 24 hours. You’ll be feeling sleepy and disoriented until the general anaesthetic wears off.

Can I Go to Work the Next Day After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

It’s recommended that you take 1-2 days off from work so that you can properly rest from your wisdom tooth removal procedure. If the nature of your job involves greater physical activity, you may need to take longer off. Restricting your responsibilities and overall activities will help in your healing process.

When Can You Brush Your Teeth After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

For the first 24 hours after your wisdom teeth are removed, you’ll need to avoid brushing your teeth and flossing. Instead, swish a saltwater rinse around your mouth after eating to gently clean and disinfect your mouth. After that, use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth and be extra gentle around the extraction site.

When Can You Drink Alcohol After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Avoid drinking alcohol after wisdom teeth are removed for approximately 7-10 days while your wound heals. This is to prevent dry socket, which is when a protective blot clot fails to develop in the area where your tooth was removed. Alcohol and tobacco can heighten the risk of dry socket and cause further complications.