Wisdom Teeth Removal Ballarat
The third molars that appear late in life, when you are around 17 to 21 years of age, are called wisdom teeth. They get their name from the wise phase of life that you are supposedly in when they make their appearance.
Many people face significant problems with wisdom teeth when they come in. The other permanent teeth would have already settled into all the available space in the mouth by then. So when the wisdom teeth erupt, they are crowded out by the other teeth and they often come in at an angle, causing pain and other complications.
Not everyone faces problems with wisdom teeth. When they do come out properly, they can add to the chewing capacity of your molars. It is normal to feel some discomfort when the teeth erupt, but if you are in pain, consult your dentist immediately.
We specialize in all problems that are related to wisdom teeth. Call our friendly staff on the phone and they will help set up a consultation with our dentist at your convenience.
During the consultation, we will check if the wisdom teeth are ‘impacted’ – which is a technical term for saying that the teeth are trapped under the jaw or your gums. We also monitor for the following as the teeth make their way out.
- Wisdom teeth that come out too close to the other molars can leave insufficient space between the molars, making it difficult to floss. This can potentially lead to food debris getting trapped there and causing decay.
- If the teeth are not coming out in the correct position, this may also create pockets which are difficult to clean, leading to food debris getting trapped there. This will lead to bacterial infection and decay.
- An impacted wisdom tooth may create a cyst near the adjacent tooth. This damages the root of the good tooth nearby and may even cause damage to the bone supporting the teeth.
- Crowding of other teeth by the wisdom tooth pushing its way out can cause swelling and pain.
Our dentist will advise you on the best way forward in any of these situations. If it is just mild pain and swelling, they can be taken care of with the help of pain killers. More severe problems may need the tooth to be removed.
When do you have to remove your wisdom teeth?
- There is severe pain and swelling in the gums
- There is evidence of infection
- A cyst has formed
- The wisdom tooth has caused damage to the adjacent teeth
- Gum disease and tooth decay
Wisdom teeth removal is also done as part of fitting dental braces if required. Our dentist will first examine your mouth before making any decisions. We also take an x-ray to understand how the tooth is positioned under the gum line. Together, we can discuss the best treatment options available.
Procedure for removal
You will be given a local anaesthesia to numb the area before the tooth is removed. If the tooth is significantly impacted, the dentist will cut into the bone to get to the whole tooth. The tooth has to be removed completely to avoid further complications. If it is not possible to remove the whole tooth in one go, then it will be broken into small pieces and the dentist will remove each piece.
After the tooth is removed, the wound is cleaned and stitched up. You may experience some pain after the anaesthetic wears off. This is completely normal and can be taken care of with pain killers.
If you want to learn more, or want to set up an appointment for wisdom tooth removal, contact us on (03) 5331 9285.
