Wisdom Teeth Removal
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Wisdom Teeth Removal in Calgary
Safe and Reliable Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but they are often misaligned and or impacted and require removal.
Don’t wait until you’re in pain – speak to us about your options today. Delaying wisdom teeth removal can result in partial eruption and a longer healing period. We can discuss sedation options if you feel anxious or nervous about wisdom teeth extraction. We aim to recommend the best course of action depending on your situation and make the extraction process as smooth and comfortable as possible with few complications.
The Importance of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the furthest set in the back of the mouth and usually cause no problems if the person’s jaw can accommodate them. However, most people require a wisdom teeth extraction. Getting wisdom teeth removed early avoids the following:
- Pain issues
- Teeth alignment issues
- Potential infection
- Damage to the gums
While some patients need all four teeth extracted, others may only need one or two. At Brentwood Village Dental Clinic, we can determine which wisdom teeth need to be removed and identify which ones will be functional.
Our Wisdom Teeth Removal Services in Calgary
Why do wisdom teeth have to be removed?
If impacted wisdom teeth are left in place, they can cause excruciating pain; they can push against and damage or destroy the teeth in front of them. In rare cases, it can lead to infection or can cause a cyst that can damage other teeth roots or bone support. Teeth that are partially erupted can be at a higher risk of infection because the partially emerged teeth create a passageway for bacteria that cause gum disease and oral infection. These teeth are also at a higher risk of decay because they are inaccessible and hard to keep clean.
Crowd nearby teeth
If wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to come in properly, they may crowd or damage nearby teeth.
Sinus Issues
Problems with wisdom teeth can lead to sinus pain, pressure, and congestion.
Inflamed Gums
Tissue around the area can swell and may be hard to clean.
Cavities
Swollen gums can create pockets between teeth that help bacteria grow and cavities form.
Planning for Your Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you plan ahead, you are able to take your time finding a suitable dentist. Because most wisdom tooth removal is very complicated (especially when they are impacted or there is exceptional root anatomy), not all dentists can or will remove wisdom teeth.
Often, dentists are booked far in advance and or work limited hours. For instance, in our office, we have several dentists who are able to remove wisdom teeth. However, if your wisdom teeth became a problem on a weekend or evening, these dentists would not be here because they work limited hours. Therefore, you would be forced to wait until an appointment could be booked. The pain from wisdom teeth can be excruciating if you wait for them to start hurting and then cannot get in with an appropriate dentist to remove them.
My wisdom teeth aren’t hurting yet; why should I remove them now?
Can’t I just wait until they hurt?
While done by dentists, wisdom teeth removal is not like routine dental work. If your dentist has told you that your wisdom teeth should come out for one of the reasons listed above. Then chances are very good that they will eventually become a problem in the future. Therefore, we strongly urge you to plan ahead for this inevitability. This means being proactive even if they are not currently bothering you.
Sedation for Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of sedation.
The process of removing wisdom teeth can be unpleasant. Even though it can be done in a dental office, the process of removing these teeth is considered surgery.
The Dentist must make incisions and remove both soft tissue and bone, sometimes, the teeth even have to be sectioned into smaller pieces. During this process, there are many different noises and sensations, as well as pushing and manual manipulation of the tooth. The patient will need to have their mouth wide open for long periods of time, which can be very uncomfortable for some. Therefore, most dentists recommend that patients be sedated during wisdom tooth surgery.
Preparing for sedation involves a pre-operative consultation to assess the patient’s health and vital signs. If there are health concerns, a medical clearance letter from the patient’s physician may be needed, which can take weeks. On the sedation day, patients shouldn’t eat or drink 8 hours before, must have a caregiver, and should arrange for time off from work or school. They can’t drive or care for young children for 24 hours post-appointment.
Wisdom Teeth Removal – Recovery
After a wisdom tooth extraction, follow your surgeon’s specific postoperative guidelines to recover quickly and effectively. Generally, after getting your wisdom tooth removed, you’ll want to do the following:
- Keep a gauze in place until bleeding slows
- Rest for 3-5 days
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling
- Clean the surgical areas with alcohol-free mouthwash without swishing
- Brush the rest of your teeth
- Take prescribed medications.
Avoid drinking with a straw, exercising, lifting heavy objects, consuming hard or crunchy foods, and drinking carbonated or alcoholic beverages for at least five days to prevent complications.
The recovery period can vary from person to person, but generally, the initial healing takes a few days to a week. Complete recovery of the gums usually takes 3-4 weeks. During the initial recovery period, it’s essential to rest and follow your dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions to help promote healing and minimize complications.
For the first few days following the surgery, it’s advised to eat soft foods that don’t require much chewing, such as yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and soup. Gradually reintroduce more solid foods into your diet as your comfort and healing process allow. It’s also important to stay hydrated, but avoid drinking from a straw for at least a week, as the suction can disrupt the healing process.
Wisdom teeth can contribute to many orthodontic problems. For example, keeping your wisdom teeth can increase the probability of developing conditions such as:
- Dental caries
- Oral infections
- Periodontal disease
- Teeth overcrowding
- Tooth decay
- Jaw complications
Generally speaking, most insurance policies cover a portion (between 50% to 80%, depending on the plan) of the wisdom teeth removal cost. However, the patient will typically be responsible for out-of-pocket expenditures.
Typically, no; follow-up appointments are generally not scheduled after a wisdom-tooth procedure. But if you experience problems such as bleeding or oral pain, you’ll want to contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Post-surgery, there are a few things you’ll want to be vigilant of to ensure a speedy recovery. Ignoring these symptoms after your wisdom tooth removal can result in infection and other oral health complications. Watch out for the following signs and symptoms:
- Bleeding has not subsided
- Inflammation
- Difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth
- High temperature or fever
- A general feeling of illness
- Pain and discomfort
Contact your dentist immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms after your wisdom tooth extraction.
Try to abstain from rigorous exercise (heavy lifting, jumping, strenuous running, etc.) to avoid your blood pressure from rising. If your blood pressure increases, it can interfere with recovery and result in excessive bleeding.
Yes! In fact, we recommend it. However, allow 24 hours before returning to your regular oral health routine. After the post-surgery wait time has passed, you may also continue wearing any orthodontic retainer you may have been using previously.
It’s normal (and expected) to experience some pain and inflammation after your wisdom tooth extraction surgery. As such, here are a few ways you can alleviate the discomfort:
- Use an ice pack: You can reduce swelling after your tooth wisdom extraction by using an ice pack to the outside of your cheek on the surgical side.
- Keep your head elevated: Position yourself upright, keeping your head raised above your heart. When you go to sleep or want to lay down, use additional pillows to ensure your head remains elevated—this can help reduce the inflammation.
- Rinse with saltwater: Rinse your mouth out with a glass of warm salty water numerous times daily to remove bacteria and control the swelling.
Consume a liquid diet or soft food: Regarding post-surgery eating, stick to easy-to-chew, soft foods for the first couple of days. Also, switching to a liquid or moderate-liquid diet can work well too. Over time, when the wisdom tooth extraction surgery site heals and the pain and inflammation subside, you can resume your regular diet. Smoothies, eggs, yogurts, etc., are fantastic alternatives in the meantime.
The general cost of wisdom teeth removal in Calgary is as follows:
- Without insurance – Simple extraction is CAD 150-350 per tooth; impacted wisdom teeth are CAD 250-500+ per tooth. Additional costs for sedation or anesthesia may apply.
- With insurance – Many plans cover 50%-80% of the cost, but it varies by plan. It’s recommended to check with your insurance provider for specifics.
For the most up-to-date pricing in Calgary, contact dental clinics in the area or consult with your dental insurance provider. Call Brentwood Village Dental Clinic at (403)210-5050 to learn more.
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