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Wisdom teeth problems

Reasons for Removing Wisdom Teeth

The location of wisdom teeth makes them especially challenging to clean or erupt correctly. Such circumstances can lead to complications like:

  • Partial eruption, where only a portion of the tooth comes through the gums
  • Impaction within the bone or against the adjacent tooth
  • Predisposition to tooth decay and gum disease
  • Crowding, due to the pressure placed on neighbouring teeth

Because wisdom teeth are at such an elevated risk of developing infections, they can jeopardise the condition of otherwise healthy teeth around them. As such, we may recommend extracting a wisdom tooth if it is likely to lead to concerns in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a general age range where wisdom teeth tend to cause problems?

Yes, generally from late teens to early-mid 20s.

Do you recommend patients get their wisdom teeth checked (as teenagers or early 20s for instance)?

Yes, sometimes there are no issues, but wisdom teeth can cause massive issues if not dealt with sooner (e.g. loss of another tooth because of inability to clean the area).

Is it better to get wisdom teeth out all at once or in stages?

Generally all at once is better, as it only requires a lot of healing and less pressure/stress on the body, plus reduces the number of visits.

Do you offer IV sedation to patients anxious about having their wisdom teeth removed?

Yes, with IV sedation, we have a schedule every 8 weeks where an anaesthetist (we work with a group called Pacific Anaesthesia) comes to the practice (provided there is a proper list of patients to see) to sedate the patients. IV sedation is like twilight sedation, and the patient is not “under” like general anaesthesia but still has no memory or recollection of the procedure.

What should a patient expect or do after the procedure?

We run through the post-operative care details. This includes pain relief, ice packs, oozing from the areas where the teeth were removed, suggestion of towels on the pillow just in case, and avoiding heavy lifting for 48 hours afterwards.

Do You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Contact our family dental practice today to book a wisdom tooth evaluation for yourself or your teen to learn more. We’re open seven days a week to best accommodate your busy schedule!

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*Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Each smile is unique and individual results may vary.
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Wisdom Teeth Removal Wickham, Newcastle, Swansea, Belmont NSW | 7 Pearls Dental