Removal of wisdom teeth is the extraction of your third molars. These four teeth are the last teeth to develop at the back of your mouth, in each corner of your upper and lower jaws and can cause dental problems.
The removal of wisdom teeth is just that. It is usually a quick procedure to remove a wisdom tooth that is causing dental problems, taking up to 20 minutes.
It is typically, performed under a local anaesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. You can expect to feel some pressure just before your tooth is removed. This is your surgeon rocking your tooth back and forth to widen your tooth socket. They may make a small cut in your gum to uncover your tooth, and the tooth may need to be divided into smaller pieces before it is removed.
Before your wisdom tooth removal, you should consider your anaesthesia options. Most people have an injection of a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area. However, if you are anxious, your surgeon may give you a sedative injection to help you relax. General anaesthesia may be offered but it is rare to have this.
You will receive pre-procedure instructions that will guide you on questions such as “Do I need to avoid eating food or drinking fluids or both and if so, when?” and “can I take prescription and non-prescription medications before my surgery?”
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop in your jaws and sometimes there isn't enough room in your mouth for them to grow properly. This means that wisdom teeth can emerge at an angle or get stuck and only partially emerge, known as impacted teeth.
Your wisdom teeth don’t need removing if they aren’t causing problems. But your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend wisdom teeth extraction as a preventative measure to help reduce the risk of future problems, such as infection.
Wisdom teeth removal may be recommended if other treatments haven’t worked for the following dental problems:
A wisdom tooth may also need to be removed to make space for other teeth or to prevent damage to your cheek or gum.
The costs of the removal of a wisdom tooth vary from patient to patient. They will depend on the anaesthetic used, the extent of surgery, and your chosen Ramsay hospital.
You will be advised of your wisdom tooth removal following your consultation.
The costs to remove your wisdom tooth are usually covered by medical insurance, provided it is considered medically necessary. We advise you get written confirmation from your insurance provider before your surgery.
If you are paying for yourself, we offer a variety of payment options including interest-free finance.
It can take up to two weeks to recover from the removal of a wisdom tooth. During this time, you may have a swollen mouth and cheeks, some mild cheek bruising, and a stiff, painful and sore jaw and mouth. You can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
You should eat soft or liquid food for a few days and chew with your other teeth.
Don't drink alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot beverages or smoke in the first 24 hours. Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a few days.
You will probably take a day or two off work. You can drive immediately after the procedure if you had a local anaesthetic, after 24 hours if you had a sedative, and after 48 hours if you had a general anaesthetic.
You will have a check-up appointment about a week after your wisdom teeth removal, when any remaining stitches may be removed.
Our oral specialists can safely and effectively remove an impacted wisdom tooth that is causing you dental problems. It will prevent your painful symptoms from coming back.
They understand how painful tooth decay, gum disease and mouth infections can be and offer convenient appointments without waiting to assess your individual needs.
During your wisdom tooth consultation, your oral surgeon will carefully assess the health of your wisdom teeth and take dental X-rays to see the exact position of the tooth in your gum. This helps them to work out the best way to perform your extraction of wisdom teeth. They will then discuss with you what will happen during the procedure and your anaesthetic options.
Mr Colin Harrop
Mr Colin Harrop is a consultant Oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the Woodland Hospital, specialising in Head and neck cancer, surgical treatment of skin cancer, salivary gland disease, minor oral surgery, management of facial pain and disorders of oral mucosa.
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