Wisdom Teeth in Northcote
Gentle extractions and specialised care to get you back to your best Book An Appointment
Experiencing Wisdom Tooth Pain? We’re Here to Help.
Wisdom teeth often emerge in your late teens or early 20s and can cause significant discomfort if they become impacted or infected. It is often best to have wisdom teeth removed before they cause trouble, and generally, the younger you have them out, the easier and safer it is.
Our team provides precise, comfortable extractions using the latest technology, ensuring a smooth process from consultation to recovery. We have state-of-the-art 3D CBCT x-rays to help with assessment of complex wisdom teeth and facility and equipment to ensure teeth are taken out safely and efficiently.
Do wisdom teeth need to be extracted?
Not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted. If they have developed well and are fully into the jaw, then most of the time that is great! However, often times the jaw is too small to have the wisdom teeth fit and this when they start to become a problem – when they become impacted. Generally speaking, we want the wisdom teeth either fully out or fully in, if it is partially out, this is when they become a problem.
Common reasons for removal include:
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Preventing Crowding: Protecting the alignment of your other teeth.
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Reducing Infection Risk: wisdom teeth are difficult to clean and prone to decay.
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Relieving Pressure: Stopping jaw pain and headaches caused by emerging teeth.
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Affecting teeth in front: impacted wisdom teeth can cause decay on neighbouring teeth.
How are impacted wisdom teeth treated?
The best way to manage wisdom teeth that may become or are a problem is to have them extracted. This would be particularly urgent if they are causing recurrent infections or beginning to damage the teeth in front of them. However, we can monitor them, or we can manage them if they start to become a problem.
- Monitoring: If wisdom teeth are fully erupted, functional, and cleanable, they may be left alone.
- Extraction (Removal):
- Simple Extraction: Used for erupted teeth, typically removed with forceps under local anesthetic.
- Surgical Extraction: Required for partially erupted or impacted teeth, often requiring a gum incision and removal of bone or dividing the tooth into pieces.
- Treatment for Symptoms: Before removal, antibiotics may be prescribed if a gum infection is present.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a x-ray or update my old x-ray?
Generally for wisdom teeth extractions, a recent OPG (full mouth) x-ray is required. For more complex teeth, sometimes a 3D x-ray is recommended to assess proximity to vital structures e.g. the nerve. We can update an x-ray here at Bytes of Northcote for you.
How long is the recovery?
Most patients feel back to normal within 3 to 5 days. We provide a detailed aftercare kit to help you manage the initial 24–48 hours.
What can I eat?
Stick to soft foods like smoothies, lukewarm soups, mashed potatoes, and yogurt for the first few days. Avoid straws, as the suction can interfere with healing.
Why do I need to see a specialist (oral maxillofacial surgeon)?
Some wisdom teeth are too complex in anatomy, too close to vital structures such as the IAN nerve or sinus, too deeply impacted such that the risks involved in removing them are best managed in a hospital setting under general anaesthetic. In these scenarios, referral to the specialist may be warranted and recommended.
How much does wisdom teeth extractions cost?
Cost of wisdom teeth can vary as some wisdom teeth can be simple while some can be very expensive. Cost can range from $350 to $750 per tooth. If you need to be put to sleep (general anaesthetic) then it can cost upwards of $4000 for wisdom teeth with a surgeon due to hospital fees.