March 13, 2023 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Wisdom tooth removal: What to expect

If you are experiencing pain caused by your wisdom teeth, your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal surgery. Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a common dental procedure. However, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect before, during and after your surgery.  

Why should you get your wisdom tooth removed? 

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of the mouth. They are the last teeth to erupt and usually come in during your late teens and early to mid-twenties. Because these teeth emerge later in life, there isn’t always room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to fit comfortably. Wisdom teeth removal is generally easier when performed on younger patients 

A dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal surgery if your wisdom teeth are:  

Impacted: wisdom tooth that erupts partially or emerges at an angle is referred to as ‘impacted.’ Impacted teeth can cause problems for your overall oral health. They are sometimes painful, are often hard to clean behind, and can push up against other molars, causing your teeth to move slowly over time. 

Sitting at an angle: If your wisdom teeth come in at an angle, they can cause damage to neighbouring teeth. Angled wisdom teeth can cause the enamel to chip away on your secondary molars. This can lead to an increase in cavities and tooth decay. 

Overcrowded: There often isn’t enough room for wisdom teeth to fit comfortably next to other teeth in the mouth. As your wisdom teeth emerge, they sometimes push other teeth out of alignment. Removing your wisdom teeth can help avoid the need for braces or orthodontics later in life.  

Hard to clean: Because wisdom teeth are located at the very back of the mouth, they are often difficult to brush or floss behind. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a buildup of food, plaque and bacteria behind the wisdom teeth and lead to cavities and tooth decay. Removing wisdom teeth that are hard to clean can improve your overall oral health. 

What should you expect before wisdom tooth removal surgery? 

If a wisdom tooth is causing problems, book a consultation appointment with the team at Gentle Dental. During your dental examination, your dentist will assess your teeth with an oral exam and a full jaw x-ray. For more complex wisdom teeth removal, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon. 

For general wisdom tooth extraction, surgery takes place in one of our Wellington dental clinics. Your dentist will ask about any health problems you may have, list any drugs or medication you regularly take and discuss any initial questions you may have about the procedure. They can then book you in for wisdom teeth removal surgery at a time convenient to you.  

During your initial consultation, they will also discuss options for anesthesia or sedation. Your dentist will usually use one of the following options: 

Local Anesthesia: Your dentist may opt for local anesthesia via an injection near the site of each tooth that needs extraction. They may also use a numbing agent to prevent you from feeling the injection going in. Under local anesthesia, you will be awake. However, you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. You may feel some pressure and movement within your mouth during surgery. 

 IV or Oral Sedation: Sedation is delivered through an IV arm drip, or a liquid taken prior to the surgery. Under sedation you will feel drowsy yet responsive. Most patients have little memory of the procedure until after the sedation wears off. 

 General Anesthesia: General anesthesia usually involves gas inhalation or intravenous forms of sedation. Under general anesthesia, you will lose consciousness and won’t have any memory of the procedure. Your vital signs are monitored during the extraction surgery to ensure that the anesthetic has been administered safely. 

What should you expect during wisdom teeth surgery? 

At Gentle Dental, we can perform most wisdom teeth surgery in-house. Occasionally, for very impacted teeth, patients may be referred to a specialist dental surgeon.  

Wisdom teeth surgery can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes. The complexity of the procedure depends on the position of your wisdom teeth. If the wisdom teeth have not emerged through the gum, a small incision is made, so the dentist can access the tooth. In some cases, the tooth is broken into parts to make it easier to remove. Sometimes, the dentist will have to cut the bone to remove the tooth. After the tooth is removed, the wound is stitched shut and the mouth padded with gauze to soak up the bleeding. 

Wisdom tooth surgery takes around an hour. After surgery, you’ll be taken to a comfortable room until the sedation or anesthesia has worn off. Once you’re awake, we’ll call your emergency contact to pick you up and take you home. In the hours following surgery, you will be unable to drive or return to work. We recommend taking a few days off after your surgery to recover.  

What should you expect after wisdom teeth surgery? 

It can take two weeks to fully recover after wisdom teeth removal surgery. You’ll likely have two to three days of discomfort. During this time try to avoid working or intense exercise. During the days following surgery, you may experience: 

Swelling of the mouth and cheeks  

Bruising of the cheeks and extraction site 

Stiffness and soreness in the jaw 

Pain in the mouth 

Tingling or numbness in the face, lips or tongue (although this is rare) 

Most of these symptoms will wear off over time. Your dentist will provide guidance for surgery recovery. However, there are things you can do to make the recovery process more bearable. 

Press a cold compress to the face to help remove swelling in the first 24 hours. 

Take over-the-counter pain medications as directed 

Avoid exercise or strenuous activity for the first few days 

Avoid rinsing with water in the first 24 hours 

Rinse with salt water every 3 hours after the first 24 hours 

Eat liquids and soft foods for the first few days 

Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for the first days after surgery 

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or discomfort or are difficult to keep clean, book a wisdom tooth consultation with the friendly team at Gentle Dental 

March 24, 2022 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

What Type of Sedation Can I Get for Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgery that removes one or more of your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are located in the back of your mouth on the top and bottom rows of your teeth. Impaction is caused when there isn’t enough room for your wisdom tooth to come through. It may cause pain, infection, or other problems and need to be removed.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a fairly common procedure. Because adult humans don’t get their wisdom teeth until their late teens or early twenties, there is often not enough room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to sit. Therefore, your teeth can grow at an angle or push up against other teeth.

Problems with impacted wisdom teeth

 Impacted wisdom teeth might need to be removed because they cause problems for your oral health. This can include:

  • Trapping food behind or in between other teeth
  • Infections and gum disease
  • Damage to other teeth or the surrounding bone
  • Cysts around the wisdom tooth
  • General pain and discomfort
  • Pushing other teeth out of alignment

How should I prepare for a wisdom tooth extraction?

Wisdom tooth extraction for an impacted tooth is most likely performed as an outpatient procedure and is sometimes done at a specialist surgery office or hospital. After your surgery, you will be able to go home the same day. However, you won’t be able to drive or operate heavy machinery and you will likely need a week off work and usual manual tasks so that you can recover.

It is a good idea to discuss any concerns you have about the surgery with your dentist. If you are on medication or have concerns about what type of sedation your dentist will use, you can discuss this at your consultation. Commonly, you will be asked to:

  • Avoid eating anything for six hours before your surgery
  • Arrive slightly early for your appointment so that everything runs on time.
  • Provide the contact details for someone to pick you up after surgery. Your dentist will call them once you are ready to go home.

What sedation will my dentist use during wisdom tooth extraction?

Your dentist or oral surgeon will be able to tell you what type of anesthesia and sedation they will use during wisdom tooth surgery. Depending on how complex your surgery is, they will usually use one of the following options.

Local Anesthesia 

Local anesthesia is delivered via injection in the mouth, near the site of each wisdom tooth that needs an extraction. Before your dentist gives you an injection, they will likely use a numbing agent on your mouth so you shouldn’t feel the injection going in. During local anesthesia, you will be awake during the wisdom tooth extraction procedure. While you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure you may feel some pressure and movement within your mouth.

IV or Oral Sedation

IV sedation is delivered via an IV drip into a vein in your arm. Oral sedation is a liquid which you drink prior to your procedure. Sedation makes the patient more relaxed, drowsy and sometimes makes you fall asleep. Patients are awake and still responsive but will have little memory of the procedure.

General Anesthesia

Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend general anesthesia. This is performed by an anesthesiologist and usually includes gas inhalation or intravenous forms of sedation. During general anesthesia, patients lose consciousness during the procedure and are unable to respond. Your vital signs will be monitored during the extraction surgery to ensure that the anesthetic has been administered safely.

How long does dental sedation last?

Local anesthesia lasts between four to six hours, although you may experience numbness for up to 24-hours after your procedure. IV sedation and general anesthesia last about six hours. Once an IV sedation is removed you will wake up in about twenty minutes. Your dentist will likely take you to a recovery room once you are awake to ensure you have time to properly wake up.  

It’s important that you have a friend or family member to pick you up after your wisdom teeth extraction surgery. You cannot rely on an uber or taxi. You will need someone to help get you from the vehicle into your house and make sure you are okay for the rest of the day.

How to book a wisdom tooth extraction 

If you think you need your wisdom teeth removed, book an appointment with our friendly dentists at Gentle Dental. During your regular dental examination, we’ll assess your teeth including an intra-oral exam and we can offer an additional full jaw x-ray.  

We have a wealth of experience removing both un-restorable teeth and impacted wisdom teeth, as painlessly as possible.

 

 

January 5, 2022 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Wisdom teeth removal: how does surgery work?

Wisdom teeth are the teeth at the very back of the mouth that usually come through in your late teenage years. Sometimes if there isn’t enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to come through properly these teeth can cause problems and may have to be removed.

How do I know if I need my wisdom teeth removed?

Most people have four wisdom teeth, however not everyone develops these teeth. Wisdom teeth only need to be removed if they cause problems in your mouth. Not every person needs to have their wisdom teeth removed and you may only experience problems with one or two of your teeth.

Wisdom teeth can cause mouth pain when they initially come through your gums. However, if your teeth have already come through and are still causing pain or bite problems it may be time to have them removed.

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Wisdom teeth need to be removed when they are impacting other teeth. There may be a lack of space in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to come through and this can cause them to butt up against other teeth.

Your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal if you are experiencing any of these problems;

  • Tooth decay in your wisdom teeth
  • An abscess in the tooth or surrounding tissue
  • Periodontal diseases like pericoronitis
  • An infection in the bone
  • Cysts or tumors near your wisdom tooth
  • Obstruction of other teeth and impaction
How is wisdom tooth removal surgery performed?

Wisdom teeth removal can be straightforward or more complex depending on the position of your teeth. Most wisdom teeth surgery can be performed by a dentist, although occasionally it may be recommended that you see a specialist dental surgeon at another clinic or even hospital.

Wisdom teeth surgery is usually performed with the patient under local anesthetic, to numb the tooth and surrounding area.

If the wisdom tooth has not come through the gum at all, a small incision will be made into the gum so the dentist can access the tooth. The tooth may also be broken up to make the removal below the gum easier.

During the procedure you will feel movement and pressure of the tooth. The dentist or oral surgeon will need to widen the tooth socket to remove the tooth. This is usually done by rocking the tooth back and forth.

What is the best age to remove wisdom teeth?

There’s no “right age” to have your wisdom teeth removed. Most people get their wisdom teeth between their late teens and early twenties. However there is an advantage to getting wisdom teeth removed at a younger age, as the recovery process is faster in younger patients.

Only one of my wisdom teeth is causing problems. Do I need all four removed?

No. It is not necessary to remove perfectly healthy wisdom teeth. A dentist should only recommend removing wisdom teeth if they are currently causing problems or are likely to cause problems in the future.

Will removing wisdom teeth cause any long-term problems?

No. Removing wisdom teeth does not cause long-term problems. Instead, you are likely to avoid long term problems with your teeth and gums by having problematic teeth removed.

What to expect post-wisdom teeth surgery?

It can take up to two weeks to fully recover from wisdom teeth removal surgery. In any case, you should take a couple of days off work and scheduled activities to recover at a minimum. After surgery you may experience:

  • Swelling of the mouth and cheeks which should improve gradually over time. Pressing a cold compress to your face can help reduce the swelling.
  • Mild and visible bruising of your cheeks. The bruising may be visible for two weeks.
  • Stiffness and soreness in your mouth and jaw which should wear off in a week to ten days.
  • Pain in the mouth, which may be worse if the extraction was more difficult.
  • Tingling or numbness in the face, lips or tongue. Although this is not very common.

While it is normal to experience some bleeding and pain after surgery, you should report severe pain or discomfort post-surgery to your dentist.

What is the post-surgical care for recovering from wisdom teeth surgery?

Here are some things you can do to feel more comfortable and help recover faster after having your wisdom teeth removed:

  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with the pain of removal
  • Avoid exercise or strenuous activity for a few days after surgery
  • Use an extra pillow for support for the first few nights after surgery
  • Avoid rinsing, spitting, hot drinks or other things that can dislodge blood clots that form in the empty tooth socket
  • Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for 24 hours after surgery
  • Eat soft or liquid foods and try to avoid using the teeth near your removed wisdom tooth to chew
  • Rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash after 24 hours. Repeat regularly over the next couple of days
Can I work or drive after surgery?

It is recommended that you take a few days off work after surgery to recover. You can drive after the surgery if local anesthetic was used.

If general anesthetic was used, avoid driving for at least 48 hours after your surgery.

Book an appointment to get your wisdom teeth checked

The best way to know if you need your wisdom teeth removed is to book an appointment with a dentist. At Gentle Dental, we recommend booking a general appointment, and we will assess your wisdom teeth to see if they need to be removed.

During this time, we can give you a price estimation and guide you through the whole process, including how best to manage your recovery. Book your appointment here.

July 7, 2021 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

When is wisdom teeth removal necessary?

Wisdom teeth – the third molars in the back of your mouth – can be a common cause of tooth problems. In many cases, wisdom teeth can cause problems when there isn’t enough room for the teeth to grow into the mouth properly. Wisdom teeth removal can help relieve pain from impaction.

Most people have four wisdom teeth, two in the top row of teeth and two in the bottom – one in each corner of the mouth.

Typically wisdom teeth grow between the ages of 17-25. By the time wisdom teeth develop, the mouth’s 28 other teeth have already long grown in. Hence the name ‘wisdom’ teeth, and why they can cause problems.

When should you have wisdom teeth removed?

When wisdom teeth are impacted, it can cause problems in the rest of your mouth. Impaction is caused when wisdom teeth grow at various angles in the jaw.

Wisdom teeth can even grow in horizontally. Problems can develop from wisdom teeth that:

  • Never erupt through the gum and stay completely hidden. When wisdom teeth are trapped (impacted), it can result in infection or cause a cyst that can damage other teeth roots or bone support.
  • Emerge partially through the gum. Partially emerged wisdom teeth can be hard to clean. It is easy for food to become trapped between the back of the wisdom tooth and the mouth. Even flossing in this area is hard. Bacteria can then form and cause gum disease or an infection.
  • Crowd out other teeth. If there isn’t enough room for wisdom teeth to come through, they can crowd or damage other teeth nearby and cause problems to your bite.
Does everyone need their wisdom teeth removed?

No. Some people will have all four wisdom teeth grow in and not experience any problems.

It is only necessary to have wisdom teeth removed if they are causing pain, infections, gum disease, decay, or damage to your other teeth.

It is important to see your dentist regularly, as even if your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you pain, you may not notice problems such as decay.

Going for regular check-ups will allow your dentist to catch any problems early. You may not need your wisdom teeth removed if they are:

  • Healthy and free of decay
  • Grown in entirely and haven’t impacted other teeth
  • Not affecting your bite or opposing teeth
  • Able to be cleaned easily
Will wisdom teeth removal straighten teeth?

Wisdom tooth removal can cause a slight shift in your teeth as they settle back into your mouth. Removal may also help your bite to feel more natural. This is because impacted teeth can put a lot of pressure on other teeth, and extraction helps to relieve your teeth from stress.

If your teeth are very uneven or crooked, it is unlikely they will straighten after wisdom tooth extraction. If you want straighter teeth, you may need to talk to your doctor about braces.

How does wisdom teeth removal work?

Wisdom teeth extraction will vary depending on how your tooth or teeth are impacted. During the procedure, the dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone. The dentist will then remove any bone blocking access to the tooth’s root.

Sometimes the tooth will need to be divided into sections for it to be removed. Once done, the dentist removes the pieces of the tooth and cleans the wound of any debris.

The wound is sometimes closed using stitches or gauze to slow the bleeding.

Are you put to sleep when wisdom teeth are removed?

The routine removal of a single wisdom tooth can be completed within an hour at your dentist’s office and will use a local anesthetic.

Any oral surgery clinic may take up to 90 minutes to extract a tooth, especially if the tooth removal is less routine. Some dentists are qualified to use a sedative along with local anesthetic during removal.

If your surgery requires several teeth and takes place at a hospital, it could take between 2-3 hours. Patients will usually have a general anesthetic before their operation.

Does wisdom teeth removal hurt?

You will likely experience some pain and discomfort from wisdom tooth removal. It is common to experience swelling and bruising. Here are some ways to make your recovery more comfortable:

  • Do not rinse your mouth out on the day of your surgery as this will prohibit healing.
  • Use an ice pack as much as possible during the first 48 hours. This helps reduce swelling.
  • Take time off work to recover and avoid strenuous activity.
  • The days following the surgery, rinse the mouth out three times a day with saltwater.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine, carbonated drinks and alcohol.
  • Avoid drinking with a straw. Sucking can dislodge the blood clot that is forming.
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?

Dental care is free for teenagers in New Zealand until their 18th birthday. At Gentle Dental, the price of wisdom teeth removal varies based on the number of teeth removed and the type of impaction. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort with your wisdom teeth, we recommend booking a general appointment, and we will assess your wisdom teeth to see if they need to be removed.

During this time, we can give you a price estimation and guide you through the whole process, including how best to manage your recovery. Book your appointment here.