Wisdom Tooth Removal in Bondi: What to Expect Before and After

It is fairly easy to spot a wisdom tooth if you are growing one. All you have to do is examine your mouth and locate the 3 permanent molars in every dental quadrant. Wisdom teeth usually grow at the back of the mouth at an abnormal angle because there is virtually no room for them to grow normally.

Not every wisdom tooth erupts to be fully or even partially visible. For situations where the wisdom tooth has been impacted beneath the tissue, the presence of the tooth and the angle of its eruption should be investigated using a radiograph or a panoramic X-ray.

If you’ve been advised to undergo wisdom tooth removal in Bondi, understanding the process before, during, and after treatment can make the experience much smoother.

How Wisdom Teeth Are Removed

The relative ease of a wisdom tooth extraction mainly depends on the angle of eruption of the impacted wisdom tooth.

Your dentist will provide you with an idea of how the procedure might proceed during the dental exam that precedes the extraction. An erupted wisdom tooth removal is usually as simple as any other tooth extraction.

However, when the tooth has not erupted and remains embedded in the jawbone, the procedure becomes more complex. In such cases, a small incision into the gum tissue is required, sometimes accompanied by the removal of a small portion of bone covering the tooth.

To protect surrounding structures, the tooth is often sectioned and removed in smaller pieces rather than as a single whole.

Preparing for Wisdom Tooth Removal

Prior to the scheduled wisdom teeth extraction in Bondi, your dentist will discuss your medical history, have x-rays done and explain the planned procedure. Preparation is important to make the process and recuperation easier.

• Ask questions – Don’t feel embarrassed to ask your dentist about the processes involved, the type of anesthesia to be used, and the recovery time.
• Plan your diet – Stock up on soft foods such as soups, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and smoothies, as chewing may be difficult for the first few days.
• Arrange transport – If sedation or general anesthesia will be used, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
• Medicines – Your dentist may advise you to pause certain medicines before surgery or prescribe antibiotics in advance.

Extraction for the Anxious

It’s normal to feel nervous before wisdom tooth removal. To ensure your comfort, the surrounding tissues are numbed with a strong local anesthetic.

Sedation may be available to patients who are nervous about the dental experience. These include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedatives, or intravenous sedation.

Your dentist can advise which of these is the safest depending on your health and anxiety level. Knowing that these options exist can make the process less daunting and give you peace of mind.

Recovery After Wisdom Tooth Removal

After the procedure, proper aftercare is essential to ensure a smooth healing process. Here’s what you can expect:

• Swelling and discomfort – Some swelling, bruising, and soreness are normal for the first few days. Your dentist may prescribe pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications to help alleviate discomfort.
• Bleeding control – Bite gently on gauze for a few hours after surgery to help control bleeding.
• Diet adjustments – Stick to soft, cool foods. Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, and chewing near the extraction site.
• Oral hygiene – Clean your mouth, but take care to rinse or brush gently over the wound in the first 24 hours. A warm saltwater rinse on the first day can aid in healing.
• Activity – Rest and avoid intense activity for at least 24-48 hours to mitigate the risk.

Healing usually takes one to two weeks, but most patients return to normal activities within a few days.

When to Call Your Dentist

Though complications are uncommon, it is imperative to refer to your dentist in case you have complications:

• Severe or worsening pain after a few days
• Persistent bleeding that won’t stop
• Indicators of infection, including fever or pus
• Numbness that doesn’t go away

Prompt follow-up care ensures issues are managed quickly.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Bondi

It is essential to visit your local dentist regularly to maintain and improve the overall health of your teeth and gums. Regularly consulting with your local dentist helps in diagnosing an impacted wisdom tooth in its early stage of development. This is where your local dentist in Bondi comes in.

With over 60 years of collective experience in all fields of modern dentistry, Bondi Dental has provided the local Bondi community with high-quality dental care for over three decades. Call us at (02) 9365 7187 or book your appointment online today!

Visit us at 134 Curlewis St. in Bondi Beach.