General Dentistry

White Fillings | Inlays and Onlays | Root canal treatments | Extractions | Dentures

Wisdom Teeth

Often called third molars, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge. They usually come through in late teens to early twenties and for some clients with enough jaw space to accommodate their wisdom teeth, they do not cause any problems and erupt the same as all other teeth.

The main oral health concern occurs when wisdom teeth become impacted, meaning they have developed at an angle and may cause damage to adjacent teeth, your jawbone or gums. It is estimated over 80% of wisdom teeth will need to be removed and it is advised to remove wisdom teeth earlier rather than later in life, as removal in older clients can be more difficult.

Removing a fully erupted wisdom tooth is often no more difficult than removing any other tooth. Removing a fully impacted wisdom tooth will require a minor incision in your gum to expose the tooth fully. This will enable your Bright Star dentist to successfully and safely remove the tooth.

After having your wisdom teeth removed you may experience some post-operative swelling and mild discomfort. General pain relief medication is often all that is required to manage any discomfort, although stronger medication may be prescribed by your Bright Star dentist if required.

A soft food diet is recommended for several days. To aid your recovery it is highly recommend you quit smoking.

Tooth Extractions

Retaining a natural tooth whenever possible is more beneficial than removal. However, there are times when removing a tooth that poses a significant risk to your oral health or other teeth is the best long-term solution for your oral health.

If you need to have a tooth extracted, it is important that it’s replaced as soon as possible to prevent your adjacent and opposing teeth from moving out of alignment. We will discuss what treatment option is best for your overall oral health.

Following removal of your tooth or teeth, you will receive post-operative care instructions. You may experience some swelling and soreness, which may last a few hours or a few days depending on your procedure. General pain relief medication is often all that is needed to ease any discomfort.

You may also need to have a soft food diet for approximately a week. If you have any concerns, please feel free to discuss them with your Bright Star Dental Centre dentist.