Many patients have small mouths and jaws, preventing the third molars from adequately growing. Overcrowding may occur if these teeth erupt. Your teeth will start to shift or overlap as a result. Wisdom teeth that erupt after orthodontic treatment have been completed can cause teeth to shift, negating the work done.
At Coolamon Dental Centre, we monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth or third molars during your dental appointments.
From ages between 17 and 25, third molars begin to erupt. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed for various reasons, including pain, infection, or growth issues.
While not all patients require wisdom tooth removal, problems can arise if it is not done. This procedure is effective and highly recommended by expert dentists, but it can be risky. Keep reading to find out the risks involved and the cost of having your wisdom tooth removed.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop in the human mouth. Typically emerging between the ages of 17 and 25, they are located at the very back of the mouth, one in each of the four quadrants. Not everyone develops wisdom teeth, but for those who do, there can be up to four – one in each corner of the mouth.
How Much Do Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost In Perth?
The cost for wisdom teeth removal starts at $350 per tooth. If you need to have all four wisdom teeth removed, the total cost typically begins at $1,400. However, the final cost can vary depending on the complexity of the extraction and the specific dental professional performing the procedure.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed? (Local Vs General Anaesthetic)
Two options, depending on the severity of the case and the number of wisdom teeth to be extracted. It takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to complete.
- Under a local anaesthetic, the extraction is performed (your dentist does this at the clinic)
- A general anaesthetic is used during surgery (performed by a specialist oral surgeon at the hospital)
Extraction Under Local Anaesthetic
At the dental clinic, this procedure is used for simple extractions. It’s appropriate when the tooth has emerged from the gums without complications.
While you are awake, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the area; mild sedation is an option, they may choose to be sedated. In the same way, regular tooth extraction is done, forceps are used to loosen and remove the tooth.
If you need all four wisdom teeth removed, it’s common to remove the upper and lower molars on the same side in a single session and return for the other side at a later date.
Wisdom Teeth Surgery Using General Anaesthetic
Dental surgery is performed in a hospital setting under general anaesthesia, which means you will not be awake during the procedure. Because this is a one-day procedure, make arrangements for someone to drive you home.
In complex cases where the tooth is trapped beneath the gums (impacted) or other obstacles, this is the only option (such as the roots getting in the way).
The procedure includes cutting the gum to extract all tooth fragments and traces of infection, disinfecting the area, and stitching the wound.
If surgery is recommended, your dentist will discuss the best options with you and refer you to a specialist oral surgeon. Even if their case isn’t complicated, patients who want to extract all four teeth simultaneously may consider surgery.
Aside from these two main anaesthetic options, Sedation Anaesthesia is the third one. This is when your dentist (or oral surgeon) gives you sedation anaesthesia to help suppress your consciousness while the procedure is going on. The anaesthesia is given through an intravenous line in your arm, so you don’t feel anything during the entire procedure.
What Can Happen If Your Wisdom Teeth Aren’t Removed?
Wisdom teeth that don’t have enough room to develop fully can cause problems. They can erupt at various angles in the jaw, including horizontally.
Problems Can Include Wisdom Teeth That:
- Maintain complete concealment within the gums. If wisdom teeth are unable to emerge usually, they become trapped (impacted) within your jaw. This can result in infection or a cyst, both of which can harm other teeth, roots, or bone support.
- Partially emerge from the gums. Because this area is difficult to see and clean, wisdom teeth that only partially emerge can create a passageway that attracts bacteria that cause gum disease and infection.
- Too close and too crowded. Wisdom teeth that don’t have enough room to come in properly may crowd or damage nearby teeth if they don’t have enough space to go in properly.
If wisdom teeth do not fully emerge, some dentists recommend extraction. Many dentists believe that wisdom teeth should be removed at a younger age before the roots and bone have fully formed, and recovery is more straightforward. This is why, before the teeth cause problems, some young adults have their wisdom teeth extracted.
Risks of Wisdom Teeth Removal
The following are some of the risks associated with wisdom tooth extraction surgery:
- Pain in the area of the injection (for IV sedation)
- Swelling and bleeding
- Pain in the jaw and teeth
- Lip sensitivity is a condition that occurs when the lower lip is inflamed.
- The completely dry socket (when the blood clot dislodges from the extraction site during the healing process)
- Numbness in the mouth, either permanent (rare) or temporary (common).
Wisdom Teeth And Pregnancy
If possible, women who have problems with their third molars should consider removing them before trying to conceive. We already know that pregnancy increases the risk of tooth decay and inflammation, which could help reduce the risk of further dental issues.
However, because any procedure carries some risk, wisdom tooth extraction should be avoided while pregnant (unless it can’t be avoided due to severe pain and inflammation).
Pregnant women should avoid x-rays unless necessary, in which case your dentist will take extra precautions to protect your baby.
How To Avoid Complications from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Rinse your mouth gently with saline water. Your wisdom tooth dentist will give you specific instructions on cleaning the wound. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and take the pain relievers prescribed by your dentist.
While you’re recovering, avoid smoking, drinking from a straw, slurping, spitting, and exercising because these activities make you more susceptible to infection. Due to estrogen levels, some oral contraceptives increase the risk of developing a dry socket in women. Your dentist will let you know to avoid any medications during this time.
What Issues Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause?
Aside from the pain caused by impaction, wisdom teeth can cause crowding of the teeth, which can be painful or uncomfortable. It can be challenging to keep a wisdom tooth clean when it is only partially erupted, which leads to a high chance of tooth decay and gum disease.
Should You Get Your Four Wisdom Teeth Removed At Once?
Finally, that decision is yours to make and can be discussed with your dentist; however, this may be a wise decision because it will save you from seeing your dentist four times and taking time off school or work to recover. You will not experience any more pain during the procedure; it will simply take a little longer than if you only had one tooth extracted.
It is completely advisable to contact an experienced dentist or oral surgeon if you start feeling any discomfort or difficulty in swallowing and breathing. Do not wait for swelling to become unbearable. Delaying wisdom tooth removal surgery can become more expensive when you decide to do it finally.
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