Wisdom Teeth Removal: What You Need to Know

Getting your wisdom teeth out can feel like a big step, and it’s natural to have questions. At Wellington dentists, we’re here to guide you through every stage.

How Much Does Wisdom Tooth Removal Cost?

The cost of wisdom tooth removal can vary depending on the complexity of your individual case and the number of teeth involved. Here’s a general guide for our patients:

• Extractions can cost between $370 – $605 (depending on complexity)

IV Sedation: For those who prefer to be asleep during the procedure, IV sedation is available at an additional cost of $582. (Learn more about IV sedation below.)

Please note: These are estimated costs. A precise quote will be provided after your personal consultation.

Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

This is one of the most common questions we hear! The decision to remove wisdom teeth is unique to each person. Our dentists will carefully evaluate your wisdom teeth and how they affect your overall oral health.

While removal isn’t always necessary, many people benefit from it. Often, we recommend removing “high-risk” wisdom teeth early, even before they cause problems. This proactive approach can prevent future pain, infection, and damage to your other teeth.

Understanding Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, typically in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, there isn’t enough space for them to grow properly. When this happens, they can become “impacted” – meaning they are trapped beneath the gum line or against another tooth, unable to fully erupt into your mouth.

Impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause issues such as:

• Pain and discomfort
• Infections
• Cysts (fluid-filled sacs)
• Damage to nearby teeth

Even if an impacted tooth isn’t causing immediate problems, our assessment will help determine if it poses a risk for future complications.

IV Sedation

Intravenous sedation is an option for patients who prefer to be completely relaxed and unaware during their procedure.

How it works: A sedative is administered directly into your bloodstream, helping you drift into a deep state of relaxation. You won’t feel pain or remember the procedure, making it ideal for anxious patients or more complex extractions.

Key difference from General Anaesthesia: While the effect is similar for the patient (you’ll feel like you’ve been asleep), IV sedation is administered in our clinic and typically involves fewer side effects and a quicker recovery compared to hospital-based general anaesthesia.

We’d be happy to discuss IV sedation in more detail during your consultation to see if it’s the right option for you.

Why Might Wisdom Teeth Need Removal? Common Indications:

While not every wisdom tooth requires removal, certain conditions make extraction the best option for your oral health. Here are some of the most common reasons:

• Infection (Pericoronitis): This is a very common reason for removal, affecting around 25-30% of impacted lower wisdom teeth. Pericoronitis is a localised infection of the gum tissue around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, often causing significant pain and swelling. If left untreated, it can spread and become more serious. Often, both the upper and lower wisdom teeth in that area are removed to prevent recurrence. The upper wisdom tooth is removed because it impinges on the swollen gum tissue around the lower wisdom tooth.  This picture illustrates this inflamed gum tissue overlying the wisdom tooth. 
• Tooth Decay (Caries) and Gum Disease: Partially erupted or misaligned wisdom teeth are notoriously difficult to clean properly with brushing and flossing. This makes them highly susceptible to cavities and gum disease, which can then spread to other healthy teeth. Rather than spending time and money restoring a tooth that will likely continue to cause issues, removal is often recommended.
• Crowding of Front Teeth: The role of wisdom teeth in crowding the lower front teeth, especially after orthodontic treatment, is a topic of ongoing discussion among dental professionals. While some studies show minimal effect, others suggest they can be a significant factor, and there are multiple studies that have been reported that support both sides of this issue. We will assess your individual situation to determine if your wisdom teeth are contributing to crowding.
• Cysts or Tumours: Although rare (affecting about 1-2% of wisdom teeth), cysts or benign tumours can develop around impacted wisdom teeth. While this sounds like a very low probability of an individual experiencing one of these conditions, in a metropolitan area of 1 million people, between 10,000 – 20,000 people will have some type of pathological condition associated with their wisdom teeth. These can be detected during routine dental exams and with a panoramic X-ray, allowing for early intervention.
• Poor Position (Malpositioning): Wisdom teeth that grow in at an awkward angle can cause various problems, including difficulty biting, chewing, or even impacting your bite alignment.

The Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure: What to Expect

The final decision of whether or not to have your wisdom teeth extracted is determined by evaluating both the risks and benefits for your unique situation. For some, wisdom teeth can be removed using traditional extraction methods. More commonly, especially for impacted teeth, the tooth may be gently sectioned into smaller pieces before removal. This approach often minimises bone removal, leading to faster healing and less discomfort for you.

Potential Risks & Complications

While wisdom tooth removal is a very common and generally safe procedure, like any surgical intervention, there are potential risks and complications. We will discuss these thoroughly with you during your consultation, as your individual risk may vary.

Here are some of the potential considerations:

• Temporary Numbness (Nerve Injury): For lower wisdom teeth, there’s a small chance (1-3% incidence) of temporary numbness in the lower lip, gums, teeth, or tongue due to proximity to nerves in the jaw. This numbness is usually temporary, lasting 4-6 weeks, and typically resolves on its own. In very rare cases, this sensory deficit can be permanent. Rest assured, if this occurs, it does not affect your appearance or ability to speak or drool. If a patient experiences a numbing of the tongue without improvement after 4-6 weeks, then consideration may be given to exploration and repair of the nerve. 
• Infection: While uncommon after surgery, post-operative infections can occur. Sometimes, an existing infection around the wisdom tooth may require further treatment even after removal. In rare instances, a chronic low-grade bone infection (osteomyelitis) may develop, requiring additional antibiotic therapy or minor surgery.
• Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis): This painful but temporary condition occurs in about 5-10% of cases, typically 2-5 days after lower wisdom tooth removal. It happens when the blood clot in the extraction site breaks down too early, exposing the bone. Symptoms include increased pain that isn’t relieved by painkillers. Treatment involves placing a medicated dressing in the socket, which usually provides rapid relief and is removed after 5-7 days. A dry socket does not affect the final healing outcome; it is more of a discomfort. Smoking and oral contraceptive use can increase the risk of dry socket.
• Other Rare Complications: These can include:
  • Damage to adjacent teeth.
  • Displacement of upper wisdom teeth into the maxillary sinuses (rare, may require treatment).
  • Temporary sensitivity in nearby teeth.
  • Pain or dysfunction of the jaw joint (TMJ).
  • Temporary limited jaw opening.

What to Expect After Your Wisdom Tooth Removal (Normal Post-Operative Symptoms):

It’s normal to experience some post-operative symptoms as you heal. We’ll provide detailed aftercare instructions, but generally, you can expect:

• Bleeding: Mild to moderate bleeding is normal for the first few hours, with slight “oozing” possible for up to 2 days.
• Swelling: Swelling, especially in the lower jaw, is common. It may increase for 2-3 days before gradually subsiding over the next week to ten days.
• Discomfort & Limited Opening: You may experience some discomfort and a limited ability to open your mouth or chew comfortably. A soft or liquid diet is recommended for the first 5-10 days.

Important: If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, or about your prescription medications, please call our office immediately. Your comfort and healing are our priority.