Wisdom teeth and tooth extraction in Box Hill North
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing, and not every painful tooth is beyond saving. The first job is working out which situation you are in.
When a wisdom tooth is worth removing
Wisdom teeth usually arrive in the late teens or early twenties. Where there is room and they come through straight and can be cleaned, there is often no reason to touch them. Removing healthy, symptom-free wisdom teeth as a matter of routine is not supported by current evidence.
Removal is worth considering where the tooth is partly through and the gum over it keeps becoming inflamed and infected, where it is decayed and cannot be restored, where it is damaging the tooth in front, or where there is a cyst or persistent infection. Those are clinical reasons, and we will explain which, if any, applies to you and show you on the X-ray.
Some wisdom teeth are close to the nerve in the lower jaw or sit in a position that makes removal more involved. Where that is the case, referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an oral surgeon is the appropriate step, and we will arrange it rather than attempt something better done elsewhere.
Surgical treatment we provide
Assessment first, with imaging, so you know what you are agreeing to.
Wisdom tooth removal
Straightforward cases are managed at the practice under local anaesthetic. More complex or deeply impacted teeth are referred.
Tooth extraction
Where a tooth cannot be restored or saved. We will always tell you first whether keeping it is a realistic alternative.
Imaging and assessment
X-rays to see root shape, the position of nerves and the state of the surrounding bone before anything is decided.
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Managing infection
Draining an abscess and treating the underlying cause. Antibiotics alone do not resolve a dental infection.
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Referral when appropriate
For complex impactions, significant medical complexity, or where sedation or general anaesthetic is the safer route.
Aftercare
Written instructions, a review if needed, and a number to ring if something is not settling as expected.
Recovery, risks and aftercare
Expect swelling and discomfort for several days after a surgical extraction, peaking around day two or three. Most people manage with ordinary pain relief and take a day or two off demanding activity. Bruising, jaw stiffness and difficulty opening wide are common and settle over one to two weeks. Recovery from a simple extraction is usually quicker.
The risks include bleeding, infection, and dry socket — where the clot is lost and the exposed bone becomes painful several days later. For lower wisdom teeth specifically there is a risk of altered sensation in the lip, chin or tongue, which is usually temporary but can occasionally be long-lasting. Upper wisdom teeth sit close to the sinus, which can be opened during removal. The likelihood of each depends on the individual tooth, and we will go through what applies to yours.
Aftercare matters. Do not rinse for the first 24 hours, avoid smoking and drinking through a straw, keep to soft food, and follow the written instructions you are given. You will receive a written itemised quote before treatment, and we claim through HICAPS at the appointment.
Common questions
Do all wisdom teeth need to come out?
No. If they have come through, are not causing problems and can be kept clean, they are usually best left alone and monitored.
How long is the recovery?
Usually a few days of swelling and discomfort for a surgical removal, settling over one to two weeks. A simple extraction is generally quicker. Individual recovery varies.
Will I need time off work?
Most people take a day or two after a surgical wisdom tooth removal, particularly if the work is physical. Plan for it rather than assume you will be fine the next morning.
Can I be asleep for it?
We provide treatment under local anaesthetic. Where sedation or a general anaesthetic is the more appropriate option, we refer you to a practitioner qualified to provide it.
What is dry socket?
It is when the blood clot in the socket is lost before healing is established, leaving bone exposed. It typically causes a deep ache three to five days afterwards and needs to be seen and dressed. Following the aftercare instructions reduces the risk.
Related pages
Other parts of the site people usually read alongside this one.
Sore tooth, a break or swelling — first-aid steps and how quickly we can see you.
Come in for a conversation and nothing else. No lectures about how long it has been.
Book an assessment
579 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill North VIC 3129. Serving Box Hill, Blackburn, Doncaster, Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.
Surgical dental treatment carries risk, including bleeding, infection and altered sensation. Suitability and risk depend on an examination and imaging. This page is general information, not a diagnosis.