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Wisdom Teeth Removal
Disclaimer: Images are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results and patient outcomes may vary
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Greenvale, Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, and Melbourne
A wisdom tooth flaring up at the back of your jaw, sore and impossible to clean? At Greenvale Dental House, we work out whether it genuinely needs to come out before any surgery.
When That Back Tooth Becomes a Problem
Wisdom teeth tend to make themselves known. It might be an ache that keeps returning, a gum that swells and gets infected every few months, pressure on the teeth in front, or a tooth that simply has not got the room to come through straight. Any of these can be a reason to take it out, but not always. We have spent nearly 40 years helping families across Melbourne’s north-west weigh up that decision, and we will tell you plainly whether yours is one that needs to go or one that is fine left alone.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth Removal
Removing a wisdom tooth is a piece of minor oral surgery, taking out a third molar that is causing trouble or clearly heading that way. Because these teeth are last to arrive and often short on space, they can wedge against the tooth in front, stay half-buried under the gum, or push through on a slant that makes them impossible to keep clean. That is why they so often end up decayed, infected around the gum flap, or damaging their neighbour, and why a cyst can sometimes form around a buried one. Getting one out means opening the gum over it, taking away a little bone if needed, splitting the tooth into sections when the angle calls for it, and lifting it out. Most cases are done under local anaesthetic, with sedation or general anaesthesia on the table for trickier teeth or for anyone who would simply rather be under.
Is Taking Them Out the Right Move?
Every mouth is different, and we assess before we ever recommend pulling anything. Broadly, here is what points towards removal.
They Are Actively Causing Trouble
There is a live problem now, pain, infection, crowding, or harm to the tooth alongside, or a clear risk of it down the track given how the tooth is sitting. Your general health is up to minor surgery.
You Can Give the Recovery Its Due
Surgery means a stretch of taking it easy, eating soft, and minding the extraction sites while they heal. Knowing what that week or so looks like before you go in makes the whole thing far easier to handle.
You Know Surgery Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
How tricky the removal is, how long healing takes, and what can go wrong all shift with how the teeth are positioned. A proper look beforehand and a frank chat about what to expect are part of how we do it.
How the Day Works
How involved it is depends on where the teeth sit and how stubbornly they are stuck. Generally, it goes like this.
A Proper Look First
A panoramic X-ray shows us exactly where each tooth is, how its roots run, and how close it sits to the nerves and structures nearby, all before any plan is drawn up. (1 visit, about 45 to 60 minutes)
Planning and Choosing Your Anaesthetic
We settle on the approach, talk through whether local anaesthetic, sedation, or general anaesthesia suits you best, and hand over what to do beforehand. (Same visit or a separate pre-operative consultation)
Getting Ready on the Day
You follow the pre-surgery instructions, the chosen anaesthetic is given, and the site is prepared under sterile conditions. (Day of surgery, about 30 to 45 minutes of preparation)
The Extraction
The tooth is reached through the gum, a little bone is taken away if required, the tooth is sectioned where the angle demands it, and the site is closed with sutures. (Same appointment, about 30 to 90 minutes depending on complexity)
Straight After
Any bleeding is brought under control before you leave, you go home with aftercare instructions and any medication you need, and the follow-up is booked. (Same day, about 30 minutes)
Healing and Sutures
We check the sites are healing as they should at your follow-ups, answer anything that has cropped up, and take the sutures out once the time is right. (Follow-up at 1 week and again at 2 to 3 weeks)
Risks and Recovery
Wisdom tooth removal is routine, but it is still surgery, and going in with a clear picture of the risks and the recovery is part of deciding properly.
Possible risks include:
- Pain, swelling, and bruising over the first few days
- Some bleeding while the sites begin to heal
- Infection at one or more of the extraction sites
- Dry socket, where the protective clot is lost too early, leaving the bone exposed and the area genuinely painful, and slowing things down
- Nerve or sinus involvement, depending on where the tooth sat, which can bring temporary, or rarely longer-lasting, effects
Recovery considerations:
- The bulk of the early healing happens over one to two weeks, though the bone keeps knitting for a good while after
- Rest and soft food in the first few days help things along and lower the odds of complications
- Ice packs and the medication we recommend or prescribe keep swelling and soreness in check
- Following the aftercare to the letter is, more than anything else, what makes for a smooth recovery
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Any questions?
How long does the surgery take?
It comes down to how many teeth are coming out and how awkwardly they are sitting. A straightforward extraction can be over in under half an hour, while a deeply impacted tooth takes longer. Once we have your X-rays and a surgical plan, we will give you a realistic estimate for your case.
What is dry socket, and can I avoid it?
It happens when the clot that should fill the socket is lost before healing has caught up, leaving bare bone and a fair amount of pain. Steering clear of smoking, skipping straws, and sticking to the aftercare all lower the risk. It can still turn up despite doing everything right, but it settles quickly once treated.
When can I get back to normal?
Most people are up and about within a day or two, but anything strenuous, or anything that spikes your blood pressure or disturbs the clot, is best left for at least a week. We will give you guidance pitched to how involved your surgery was.
Making Your Smile Affordable
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Get a Straight Answer
If your wisdom teeth are causing grief, or you have been told they need to come out and want a second opinion, come and see our team. Book at Greenvale Dental House and we will assess the situation properly and give you an honest picture of what is involved. There is no pressure to decide on the day. Call us or book online to visit Greenvale Dental House.
Disclaimer: The material posted is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary with each patient. Any dental procedure carries risks and benefits. If you have any specific questions about any dental and/or medical matter, you should consult your dentist, physician or other professional healthcare providers.
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