Wisdom Tooth Removal Oakleigh South 

Having problems with your wisdom teeth? Impacted or crowded wisdom teeth can sometimes cause pain, decay or inflammation because they are difficult to clean or unable to erupt properly.

Wisdom teeth usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, although not everyone develops problems with them. If symptoms are present, an assessment can help determine whether monitoring or removal is appropriate.

Common reasons for wisdom teeth removal at our Oakleigh South clinic include:

Feel like your wisdom tooth is causing you trouble? Here are some signs to observe if you need an immediate wisdom tooth removal.

Pain or swelling

Pain around the back of the mouth, jaw tenderness or swelling around a wisdom tooth can indicate inflammation or another problem that should be assessed.

Repeated infection around the wisdom tooth

Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create areas where food and bacteria collect, sometimes leading to repeated inflammation or infection around the surrounding gum.

Red, tender or bleeding gums

The gum around a wisdom tooth may become swollen, tender or difficult to clean, particularly when only part of the tooth has emerged.

Difficulty opening the mouth or eating

Inflammation around a wisdom tooth can sometimes make chewing or opening the mouth uncomfortable.

Food trapping around the tooth

Wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Food and plaque may collect around a partially erupted tooth and contribute to irritation or decay.

Unpleasant taste or bad breath

An unpleasant taste or persistent bad breath can sometimes occur when food and bacteria collect around a partially erupted wisdom tooth.

If you notice these symptoms, a dental assessment can help determine whether the wisdom tooth needs monitoring, treatment of the surrounding area or removal.

If pain becomes difficult to manage or is accompanied by significant swelling, contact Mary Dental for an urgent dental assessment.

Assessment Before Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Before recommending wisdom teeth removal, your dentist will assess the position of the tooth, the surrounding gum and the nearby teeth.

Dental X-rays or other imaging may be required to understand how the wisdom tooth is positioned beneath the gum and its relationship to nearby structures. This helps determine whether extraction is appropriate and how the procedure should be planned.

More complex cases may require additional treatment planning or referral depending on the position of the tooth and the individual patient’s needs.

What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal?

The exact procedure varies depending on whether the wisdom tooth has fully erupted, is partly covered by gum or remains impacted beneath the gum or bone.

A typical wisdom teeth removal in Oakleigh South may involve:

Step 1: Anaesthetic – The area is numbed before treatment. Your dentist can also discuss available sedation options where clinically appropriate.

Step 2: Accessing the Tooth – If the wisdom tooth is impacted, the dentist may need to create an opening in the gum to access it.

Step 3: Removing the Tooth – Depending on its position, the tooth may be removed in one piece or divided into smaller sections.

Step 4: Cleaning and Closing the Area – The extraction site is cleaned and stitches may be placed when required. Gauze is then used to help control bleeding.

Your dentist will provide aftercare instructions based on the type of extraction performed.

After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Some tenderness, swelling and difficulty chewing can occur after wisdom tooth extraction, particularly during the first few days.

Your dentist will provide instructions on cleaning the area, eating while it heals and managing discomfort. Recovery varies according to the number and position of the teeth removed and the complexity of the procedure.

Contact the clinic if symptoms are worsening rather than gradually improving, or if you are concerned about your recovery.