Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the teeth situated at the back of the mouth — a third set of molars — and are usually the last teeth to develop. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25. It has been noticed that patients as young as 14 present with wisdom teeth problems. These teeth are prone to becoming impacted due to the lack of space in the dental arch and can cause harm if they partially erupt through the gum.
Why remove wisdom teeth..?
Wisdom teeth are often removed due the following reasons;
- They are impacted: Due to the position of wisdom teeth in the mouth, they can be trapped in the jawbone or gum as they are so far back and there isn’t enough space for them to develop in a normal position. Wisdom teeth trapped in the jawbone or gum are usually very painful.
- They are at the wrong angle: Wisdom teeth can come in at the wrong angle which causes them to press against other teeth also causing pain and discomfort.
- Cavities or gum disease: Because of the position of the wisdom teeth, it is difficult to reach them for oral hygiene like brushing and flossing. This can cause cavities and gum disease to develop in and around the teeth causing inflammation and infection which is also painful.
- Cysts around the wisdom teeth: A cyst that develops around a wisdom tooth can eat away at the bone causing damage and pain.
Because wisdom teeth are prone to these symptoms and conditions, your dentist may recommend removing them.
Wisdom Teeth removal procedure
Wisdom teeth removal is not like a normal tooth extraction. Rather, it involves a surgical procedure. The first step is to discuss the process with our dentists. When you attend at our clinics, our dental surgeon will discuss a number of issues with you and we encourage you to tell us about any dental issue you may feel related. These issues can include:
- Any general health issues such as blood pressure, heart conditions or even bone injuries as well as any medications you currently receive.
- Present and ask any questions you may have in relation to the wisdom teeth removal surgery.
- The type of anaesthesia you prefer to have and post surgery recovery process.
Our dentist or surgeon may also recommend that you take steps in advance of your surgery and make arrangements to take time off work or school, child care and ensure that you are able to rest during recovery at home.
On the scheduled surgery appointment, our dentist or dental surgeon would have made all appropriate arrangements for the wisdom tooth removal surgery including the type of anaesthesia to be used. There are three types of anaesthesia that can be used:
- Local: The dentist or surgeon gives you a numbing agent through a shot in the gum. In addition, the doctor may also suggest that you breath nitrous oxide — known as laughing gas — which can cause you to relax.
- IV Sedation: In addition to numbing the mouth with a shot into the gum, the doctor also administer drugs delivered through a vein that make you drowsy. This may cause you sleep through the entire procedure.
- General: Drugs delivered through a vein or by breathing a gas through a mask that will cause you to sleep during the procedure. Often, patients who undergo general anaesthesia may not wake up for up to an hour.
Removing wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure that takes time to perform and recover from, therefore, it is essential that you make arrangements that will help you recover properly.
Post Surgery Care
Blue Spa dentists will discuss the recovery process with you including best practices, hygiene, salt-water rinses as well as other activities. Some of the things that will be explained is the stages through which recovery will travel and progress including what to expect during the first week after surgery.
Feel free to ask questions about the activities you should avoid and ensure that you daily activities are not likely to slow your recovery or cause pressure or excessive oozing or bleeding to the extracted tooth site. In all circumstances, you should avoid any activities during the first 48 hours of surgery and cease smoking as it can slow down the recovery process.
BLUE SPA DENTAL SERVICES
For all your General Dentistry needs.. Contact Blue Spa Dental today for an appointment on
- MELBOURNE
- HEIDELBERG
- TAYLORS HILL
Wisdom Teeth Treatment
Blue Spa dentists and dental surgeons see patients for wisdom teeth removal — extraction — frequently. We are recognised by patients all around Melbourne and surrounding suburbs as the best dental clinic, not only because we employ a team of skilled, trained dental professionals, but also provide with genuine care, work towards our patients’ goals and provide with friendly service. Our clinics in Melbourne, Heidelberg and Hillside are equipped with the latest dental care technology and are set up to provide optimal relaxing and calming effect making patients feel comfortable and relaxed during their entire dental procedures.
