{
  "id": "local-dental-services/dentist-southbank-melbourne-core-dental-southbank/wisdom-teeth-removal-in-southbank-what-core-dental-patients-should-know-before-during-and-after",
  "title": "Wisdom Teeth Removal in Southbank: What Core Dental Patients Should Know Before, During, and After",
  "slug": "local-dental-services/dentist-southbank-melbourne-core-dental-southbank/wisdom-teeth-removal-in-southbank-what-core-dental-patients-should-know-before-during-and-after",
  "description": "Core Dental Group is a multi-site suburban dental network with 7 clinics across Melbourne offering general, cosmetic, orthodontic, implant, and specialist dental services. Part of the Smile Solutions Group, Australia's largest privately owned dental group. Over 40 dental suites, Blue Diamond Invisalign provider, CEREC and CBCT technology, open 6 days with extended hours. Accessible premium dental care - premium quality at accessible price points.",
  "category": "",
  "content": "## AI Summary\n\n**Product:** Wisdom Teeth Assessment and Removal Service\n**Brand:** Core Dental Group\n**Category:** Oral Surgery / Dental Procedure\n**Primary Use:** Clinical assessment and extraction of third molars (wisdom teeth), including simple and surgical removal with sedation options, at 55 City Road, Southbank.\n\n### Quick Facts\n- **Best For:** Adults aged 17–25 experiencing impacted, painful, infected, or pathology-associated wisdom teeth\n- **Key Benefit:** Patient-centred assessment and extraction with multiple sedation pathways, reducing anxiety and post-operative complications\n- **Form Factor:** In-clinic dental procedure (simple or surgical extraction)\n- **Application Method:** Consultation, clinical examination and digital X-ray, followed by extraction under local anaesthesia or sedation\n\n### Common Questions This Guide Answers\n1. When is wisdom tooth removal actually necessary? → Removal is indicated for recurrent pericoronitis, decay, cyst formation, adjacent molar damage, or radiographic pathology — not prophylactically for pathology-free impacted teeth\n2. What is the difference between simple and surgical wisdom tooth extraction? → Simple extraction (10–20 minutes, 2–5 day recovery) requires no incision; surgical extraction (20–60+ minutes, 5–14 day recovery) involves incision, possible bone removal, and tooth sectioning\n3. How can dry socket be prevented after wisdom tooth removal? → Avoid smoking, straws, alcohol, and carbonated beverages for at least five days; protect the blood clot during the critical first 48-hour window\n\n---\n\n## Product Facts\n\n| Attribute | Value |\n|-----------|-------|\n| Clinic name | Core Dental Group |\n| Location | 55 City Road, Southbank |\n| Primary procedure | Wisdom teeth assessment and removal |\n| Teeth treated | Third molars (wisdom teeth) |\n| Typical eruption age | 17–25 years |\n| Impaction prevalence | ~20% of population |\n| Odontogenic cyst risk (impacted) | 12–15% |\n| Pericoronitis risk (impacted) | 10–15% |\n| Imaging used | Panoramic or digital X-rays |\n| Impaction classification system | Pell and Gregory system |\n| Extraction types offered | Simple extraction; Surgical extraction |\n| Simple extraction duration | 10–20 minutes |\n| Surgical extraction duration | 20–60+ minutes |\n| Simple extraction recovery | 2–5 days |\n| Surgical extraction recovery | 5–14 days |\n| Sedation options | Local anaesthesia, Nitrous oxide, Oral sedation, IV sedation |\n| Pre-sedation fasting (IV/oral) | Typically 6 hours |\n| Pre-procedure alcohol restriction | At least 24 hours prior |\n| Dry socket risk (all extractions) | 2–5% |\n| Dry socket risk (impacted teeth) | ~20% |\n| Primary dry socket risk factor | Smoking |\n| Post-op ice pack use | 15–20 minute intervals, first 48 hours |\n| Saltwater rinse commencement | After first 24 hours |\n| Saltwater rinse ratio | ½ tsp salt per 250 ml warm water |\n| Swelling peak | Day 2–3 post-surgery |\n| Return to work (typical) | 3–4 days post-surgery |\n| Full recovery timeline | 1–2 weeks |\n| Complete bone healing | Several months |\n| Nerve injury incidence | 0.1–2% |\n| Medicare coverage | Available for general anaesthesia in complicated cases |\n| Private health insurance | Applicable — rebates available |\n\n---\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\nWhere is Core Dental Group located: 55 City Road, Southbank\n\nWhat procedure does Core Dental Group most frequently manage: Wisdom teeth assessment and removal\n\nWhat are wisdom teeth formally called: Third molars\n\nAt what age do wisdom teeth typically erupt: Between 17 and 25 years old\n\nCan wisdom teeth appear as early as age 17: Yes\n\nWhat is it called when a wisdom tooth fails to fully erupt: Impaction\n\nHow common is tooth impaction in the population: Approximately 20% frequency\n\nHow many surgical tooth removals were performed in Australia in 2022–23: Around 149,000\n\nWhat percentage of impacted third molars develop odontogenic cysts: Approximately 12–15%\n\nWhat percentage of people with impacted third molars get pericoronitis: Approximately 10–15%\n\nDoes Core Dental Group automatically remove all impacted wisdom teeth: No\n\nDo guidelines support prophylactic removal of pathology-free impacted teeth: No\n\nWhich guidelines oppose routine prophylactic removal: UK NICE guidelines and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network\n\nDoes Core Dental Group use X-rays in wisdom tooth assessment: Yes\n\nWhat type of X-rays does Core Dental Group use: Panoramic or digital X-rays\n\nWhat classification system is used to assess impaction: The Pell and Gregory system\n\nIs medical history reviewed before wisdom tooth removal: Yes\n\nWhich medications are specifically flagged during medical history review: Blood thinners and bisphosphonates\n\nDoes pericoronitis indicate wisdom tooth removal: Yes, recurrent pericoronitis is an indication\n\nDoes cyst formation indicate wisdom tooth removal: Yes\n\nDoes decay in an adjacent second molar indicate removal: Yes\n\nIf wisdom teeth are fully erupted and pathology-free, what is recommended: Monitoring, not removal\n\nDoes simple extraction require an incision: No\n\nDoes surgical extraction require an incision: Yes\n\nDoes simple extraction require bone removal: No\n\nDoes surgical extraction require bone removal: Possibly\n\nDoes simple extraction require tooth sectioning: No\n\nDoes surgical extraction require tooth sectioning: Often required\n\nHow long does a simple extraction take: 10–20 minutes\n\nHow long does a surgical extraction take: 20–60+ minutes\n\nWhat is the recovery time for simple extraction: 2–5 days\n\nWhat is the recovery time for surgical extraction: 5–14 days\n\nDoes simple extraction usually require sutures: Rarely\n\nDoes surgical extraction usually require sutures: Yes\n\nIs local anaesthesia the foundation of all wisdom tooth procedures: Yes\n\nDoes local anaesthesia keep the patient conscious: Yes\n\nDoes nitrous oxide keep the patient conscious: Yes\n\nCan patients drive after nitrous oxide sedation: Yes, once the gas has cleared\n\nHow long do oral sedation effects last: One to two hours\n\nDoes oral sedation require a support person to drive the patient home: Yes\n\nHow is IV sedation administered: Through an intravenous line directly to the bloodstream\n\nIs IV sedation appropriate for significant dental phobia: Yes\n\nWho determines the appropriate sedation level: The Core Dental Group dentist during assessment\n\nHow long before surgery should patients avoid alcohol: At least 24 hours\n\nHow long must patients fast before IV or oral sedation: Typically 6 hours\n\nHow long does wisdom tooth extraction typically take: An hour or less\n\nAre dissolvable sutures commonly used at Core Dental Group: Yes\n\nHow long should gauze be kept in place after surgery: Approximately 30 minutes after surgery\n\nWhen are the first 48 hours after surgery considered critical: They are the most important stage of recovery\n\nWhat is the purpose of the blood clot that forms after extraction: It shields underlying bone and nerves\n\nWhat complication results from losing the blood clot: Dry socket\n\nWhat is another name for dry socket: Alveolar osteitis\n\nWhat percentage of all tooth extractions result in dry socket: Approximately 2–5%\n\nWhat is the dry socket risk for impacted wisdom teeth specifically: Around 20%\n\nDoes smoking increase dry socket risk: Yes, it is the single biggest controllable risk factor\n\nWhy does smoking cause dry socket: Suction from inhaling can dislodge the blood clot\n\nShould patients use a straw after wisdom tooth removal: No\n\nWhy are straws prohibited after extraction: Suction can dislodge the blood clot\n\nShould patients avoid carbonated beverages after extraction: Yes, for at least five days\n\nShould patients avoid alcohol after extraction: Yes, for at least five days\n\nWhen should ice packs be applied after surgery: In 15–20 minute intervals during the first 48 hours\n\nWhen should patients switch from ice packs to warm compresses: After 48 hours\n\nWhen can saltwater rinses begin after extraction: After the first 24 hours\n\nWhat saltwater rinse ratio is recommended: Half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of warm water\n\nWhen does post-surgical swelling typically peak: Around day 2–3\n\nWhen can most patients return to work after wisdom tooth removal: In about three to four days\n\nHow long does full wisdom tooth removal recovery typically take: One to two weeks on average\n\nHow long does complete internal jawbone healing take: Several months\n\nWhat are signs of post-surgical infection: Increasing swelling after day 3, pus, fever, foul taste\n\nWhat percentage of wisdom tooth removals result in nerve injury: 0.1% to 2%\n\nIs post-surgical nerve sensitivity usually permanent: No, it is almost always temporary\n\nWhat nerve is at risk during lower wisdom tooth removal: The inferior alveolar nerve\n\nCan Medicare cover wisdom tooth removal: Yes, only if general anaesthesia is required for a complicated case\n\nCan private health insurance help cover wisdom tooth removal: Yes\n\nIs the cost of surgical removal higher than simple extraction: Yes, considerably higher\n\n## Core Dental Group: Wisdom teeth removal in Southbank — what patients should know before, during, and after\n\nFor many people, the phrase \"wisdom teeth\" triggers a specific kind of dread — the anticipation of pain, swelling, and days spent on the couch eating soup. The anxiety surrounding wisdom tooth extraction often outpaces the reality, though, particularly when patients are well-informed and treated by an experienced clinical team. Core Dental Group, located at 55 City Road, Southbank, handles wisdom teeth assessment and removal as one of its most frequently managed procedures — and one where preparation genuinely changes outcomes.\n\nThis guide is written for patients considering or preparing for wisdom tooth removal at Core Dental Group Southbank. It covers why and when removal is recommended, how your dentist assesses impaction, what happens during simple versus surgical extraction, which sedation options are available, and what your recovery should look like day by day. If dental anxiety is a concern, see our dedicated guide on *Dental Anxiety and Nervous Patients: How Core Dental Southbank Creates a Calm, Comfortable Experience* for a closer look at how the clinic supports nervous patients through every stage of treatment.\n\n---\n\n## Why wisdom teeth so often require removal\n\nWisdom teeth — formally known as third molars — are the last teeth to erupt, typically emerging between 17 and 25 years of age. The core problem is anatomical: by the end of adolescence, the jaw has nearly reached adult size, but it sometimes cannot accommodate the final set of molars. When that happens, these teeth fail to erupt fully and remain embedded in the bone.\n\nThis failure to fully erupt is called impaction, and it is far from rare — tooth impaction occurs in approximately 20% of the population. In Australia, the scale of the problem is significant: in 2022–23, surgical tooth removal was the most common dental procedure performed, with around 149,000 cases recorded.\n\nImpaction creates a cascade of clinical risks. Impacted third molars are associated with odontogenic cysts in roughly 12–15% of cases, and pericoronitis affects about 10–15% of people with impacted third molars. Left unaddressed, impacted wisdom teeth can also damage adjacent second molars through pressure, decay, and periodontal disease.\n\nRemoval is not automatic, though. Research does not support extracting pathology-free impacted third molars as a precaution — a position backed by both UK NICE guidelines and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. The decision to extract is always clinical, based on your individual anatomy, symptoms, and risk profile.\n\n---\n\n## How Core Dental Group assesses your wisdom teeth\n\nBefore any treatment is recommended, your dentist at Core Dental Group Southbank will conduct a thorough assessment. This is not a cursory glance — it is a structured clinical evaluation that forms the foundation of your treatment plan.\n\n### What the assessment includes\n\n**Clinical examination** covers visual and tactile assessment of the wisdom tooth site, checking for gum inflammation, swelling, tenderness, and signs of pericoronitis (infection of the gum flap overlying a partially erupted tooth).\n\n**Panoramic or digital X-rays** reveal the position, angulation, and depth of each wisdom tooth relative to the jawbone, adjacent teeth, and the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw.\n\n**Impaction classification** uses established systems, including the Pell and Gregory system, to categorise impaction depth and angulation. A surgical approach is required when the tooth is impacted — whether soft-tissue, partial-bony, or full-bony — or positioned at mesioangular, distoangular, vertical, or horizontal angulations.\n\n**Medical history review** accounts for systemic conditions, medications (particularly blood thinners and bisphosphonates), and any history of immunosuppression before a date is set.\n\n### When removal is recommended\n\nCore Dental Group dentists will recommend extraction when one or more of the following clinical criteria are met:\n\n1. Recurrent pericoronitis (infection beneath the gum flap)\n2. Decay in the wisdom tooth that cannot be restored\n3. Decay in the adjacent second molar caused by the wisdom tooth's position\n4. Cyst formation around the impacted tooth\n5. Significant crowding or pressure on neighbouring teeth\n6. Persistent pain or discomfort with no reversible cause\n7. Pathology identified on radiograph, even without symptoms\n\nIf your wisdom teeth are fully erupted, well-positioned, and free of pathology, monitoring — not removal — may be the appropriate course. Your dentist will explain exactly where you stand.\n\n---\n\n## Simple extraction vs. surgical extraction: what's the difference?\n\nThis is the question most patients want answered before their appointment. The distinction matters because it affects procedure time, recovery, and whether sedation is recommended.\n\n### Simple extraction\n\nSimple extraction is minimally invasive, relying on elevation and forceps delivery. It suits wisdom teeth that have fully erupted through the gum, are accessible, and have roots that are not curved or fused to the surrounding bone. For wisdom teeth, simple extraction is the less common scenario — most wisdom teeth that require removal present with some degree of impaction.\n\n### Surgical extraction\n\nSurgical extraction is more involved and is used for teeth that are not easily accessible, such as impacted teeth or broken teeth below the gumline. An incision is required to access the tooth.\n\nDuring a surgical wisdom tooth removal at Core Dental Group Southbank, the procedure typically involves:\n\n1. Administration of local anaesthesia, with sedation if requested or recommended\n2. A small incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and surrounding bone\n3. Removal of any bone covering the tooth, if necessary\n4. Sectioning the tooth into segments to allow safe removal with minimal trauma\n5. Thorough cleaning of the socket\n6. Suturing the gum tissue to promote healing\n\n### Comparison table: simple vs. surgical wisdom tooth extraction\n\n| Factor | Simple Extraction | Surgical Extraction |\n|---|---|---|\n| **Tooth position** | Fully erupted, visible | Partially or fully impacted |\n| **Incision required** | No | Yes |\n| **Bone removal** | No | Possibly |\n| **Tooth sectioning** | No | Often required |\n| **Procedure time** | 10–20 minutes | 20–60+ minutes |\n| **Sedation** | Local anaesthesia usually sufficient | Sedation often recommended |\n| **Recovery** | 2–5 days | 5–14 days |\n| **Sutures** | Rarely | Usually |\n\n---\n\n## Sedation options at Core Dental Group Southbank\n\nOne of the biggest barriers to wisdom tooth removal is fear — fear of pain, fear of the unknown, fear of being awake during a surgical procedure. Core Dental Group Southbank offers a range of sedation options matched to each patient's anxiety level and clinical need.\n\n### Local anaesthesia only\n\nLocal anaesthetic is injected into the gum tissue surrounding the tooth, completely numbing the area. Some patients need nothing more than this for straightforward extractions. You remain fully conscious and aware throughout, feeling pressure and movement but no pain.\n\n### Nitrous oxide (happy gas)\n\nNitrous oxide is the mildest sedation option, delivered through a small mask placed over the nose. This colourless, odourless gas produces relaxation within minutes while keeping you fully conscious and able to respond to instructions. The effects wear off quickly once the gas is stopped, so you can drive home once it has cleared.\n\n### Oral sedation\n\nA prescribed sedative tablet taken before the appointment produces a deeper state of relaxation. Effects come on quickly and last one to two hours. You remain conscious but deeply relaxed, and most patients remember little of the procedure. A support person must drive you home.\n\n### IV (intravenous) sedation\n\nSedatives are administered through an IV line directly to the bloodstream, working quickly and allowing continuous adjustment throughout the procedure. IV sedation is well-suited to complex surgical extractions and patients with significant dental phobia. Many patients have little to no memory of the procedure afterwards, which can make future dental visits considerably easier.\n\nThe appropriate sedation level is determined during your assessment, taking into account your medical history, the complexity of the extraction, and your preferences. For patients who have been putting off treatment due to anxiety, our guide on *Dental Anxiety and Nervous Patients* covers how Core Dental Group Southbank supports this patient group in more detail.\n\n---\n\n## What to do before your wisdom tooth removal\n\nPreparation influences both the procedure and your recovery. Your Core Dental Group dentist will provide personalised pre-operative instructions, but the following applies to most patients.\n\n**48–72 hours before:**\n- Arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home if you are having sedation beyond local anaesthesia\n- Fill any prescriptions provided (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or pain relief) so they are ready post-procedure\n- Stock your kitchen with soft foods: yoghurt, mashed potato, scrambled eggs, soup, smoothies, and ice cream\n- Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the procedure\n\n**On the day:**\n- If having IV or oral sedation, fast as directed — typically nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior\n- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing\n- Arrive 10–15 minutes early to complete any outstanding paperwork\n- Tell the clinical team about any changes to your health or medications since your last appointment\n\n---\n\n## During the procedure: what to expect\n\nWisdom tooth extraction usually takes an hour or less. Here is what the procedure looks like from the patient's perspective:\n\n1. **Settling in:** You will be seated in the dental chair and the clinical team will confirm your treatment plan, answer any last-minute questions, and administer your chosen sedation.\n2. **Anaesthesia:** Local anaesthetic is administered. You may feel a brief sting from the injection, followed by numbness within a few minutes.\n3. **The extraction:** You will feel pressure and movement but should not feel pain. If you experience anything sharp or uncomfortable, alert the dentist immediately — additional anaesthetic can be given.\n4. **Suturing:** If an incision was made, the gum is sutured closed. Dissolvable sutures are commonly used, so no removal appointment is needed.\n5. **Gauze and recovery:** Gauze is placed over the socket and you will be asked to bite down for approximately 30 minutes.\n6. **Post-operative briefing:** Before you leave, the team will go through aftercare instructions verbally and in writing. Do not leave without understanding these clearly.\n\n---\n\n## Aftercare and recovery: a day-by-day guide\n\nAftercare is where patients have the most control over their outcomes. Following instructions carefully is the single most effective way to prevent complications.\n\n### Day 1–2: the critical window\n\nThe first 48 hours after surgery are the most important stage of recovery. A protective blood clot must form over each extraction site, shielding the underlying bone and nerves while healing begins. Losing this clot before healing is complete leads to dry socket — one of the most painful complications of wisdom tooth removal.\n\nDuring this period:\n- Keep gauze in place as instructed to control bleeding\n- Apply ice packs to the outside of your cheek in 15–20 minute intervals to reduce swelling\n- Rest and avoid strenuous physical activity\n- Eat only soft, cool foods — avoid anything hot, hard, crunchy, or sticky\n- **Do not use a straw** — the suction can dislodge the blood clot\n- **Do not smoke** — smoking is the single biggest controllable risk factor for dry socket; the suction created when inhaling can pull the clot right out of the socket\n- Avoid carbonated beverages and alcohol for at least five days — both can dislodge blood clots and trigger dry socket\n\n### Day 3–5: swelling peaks, then subsides\n\nSwelling typically peaks around day 2–3 before gradually reducing. Switch from ice packs to warm compresses after 48 hours to encourage circulation. Most patients find pain manageable with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, taken as directed. Begin gentle warm saltwater rinses after the first 24 hours — half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of warm water — to reduce bacteria and keep food debris from accumulating around the healing socket.\n\n### Day 5–7: returning to normal\n\nBy day 5–7, swelling should be substantially reduced, pain should be minimal, and most patients can return to work and light activity. Soft foods can gradually be reintroduced, though caution around the extraction sites remains important.\n\n### Week 2 and beyond\n\nMost people recover fully within one to two weeks, though most can resume work and normal routines in about three to four days. Complete internal healing takes several months as the jawbone fills in the extraction sockets.\n\n---\n\n## Recognising and responding to complications\n\nMost wisdom tooth removals proceed without significant complications. That said, patients should know the warning signs that require prompt contact with Core Dental Group Southbank.\n\n### Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)\n\nDry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site is lost or dissolves before the wound has healed. This exposes the underlying bone and nerve endings to air, food, fluids, and bacteria, causing intense, throbbing pain that can radiate to the ear or jaw.\n\nDry socket affects approximately 2–5% of all tooth extractions, but that risk rises to around 20% for impacted wisdom teeth — making prevention especially important after surgical removal. If your pain suddenly worsens after three or four days and you notice throbbing that was not there before, contact your dentist promptly. Dry socket requires clinical treatment to relieve the pain; it will not resolve on its own.\n\n### Infection\n\nSigns include swelling that increases rather than decreases after day 3, pus or discharge from the socket, fever, and a foul taste in the mouth. If you notice these symptoms, contact Core Dental Group Southbank immediately — do not wait for a scheduled follow-up.\n\n### Nerve sensitivity\n\nNerve injury during wisdom tooth removal occurs in 0.1–2% of cases, depending on surgical method and anatomy. Temporary tingling or numbness in the lower lip, chin, or tongue can follow lower wisdom tooth removal due to proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve. This is almost always temporary and resolves as the nerve heals. Persistent numbness beyond a few weeks should be reported to your dentist.\n\nFor patients with post-operative concerns, Core Dental Group Southbank's team is available to assess and advise. If you are experiencing acute post-operative pain that needs same-day attention, see our guide on *Emergency Dentist in Southbank: How Core Dental Handles Same-Day Dental Emergencies* for information on accessing urgent care.\n\n---\n\n## The cost of wisdom tooth removal in Southbank\n\nThe cost of wisdom tooth removal varies considerably based on case complexity. Simple extractions are considerably less expensive than surgical removals requiring sedation and bone removal. Medicare covers wisdom tooth removal only when general anaesthesia is required for a complicated case. Private health insurance can reduce out-of-pocket costs depending on your level of cover.\n\nFor a detailed breakdown of treatment costs, health fund rebates, and flexible payment options at Core Dental Group Southbank, see our guide on *Dental Costs in Southbank: What You'll Pay at Core Dental and How Health Fund Rebates Work*.\n\n---\n\n## Key takeaways\n\n- **Impaction is common:** Wisdom tooth impaction occurs in approximately 20% of the population, making third molar assessment a routine part of adult dental care.\n- **Extraction type depends on anatomy:** Whether your procedure is simple or surgical depends on the position, angulation, and depth of your wisdom tooth. Your Core Dental Group dentist determines this through clinical examination and digital X-rays — it is not a matter of preference.\n- **Sedation is a genuine option:** From nitrous oxide to IV sedation, Core Dental Group Southbank offers multiple sedation pathways. Patients who are relaxed during surgery tend to have smoother recoveries with fewer post-operative complications, making sedation worth considering for anyone who might otherwise avoid necessary treatment.\n- **The first 48 hours matter most:** Protecting the blood clot during the first two days post-surgery is the single most important factor in preventing dry socket and ensuring a smooth recovery.\n- **Dry socket risk is elevated after surgical cases:** The risk rises to around 20% for impacted wisdom teeth, but it is largely preventable through strict aftercare — particularly avoiding smoking, straws, and alcohol.\n\n---\n\n## Conclusion\n\nWisdom tooth removal is one of the most common surgical dental procedures in Australia, and the numbers reflect a straightforward reality: modern human jaws often cannot comfortably accommodate a third set of molars, and dental care has made the procedure safe, routine, and accessible.\n\nAt Core Dental Group Southbank, the approach is assessment first, treatment only when clinically indicated, and thorough aftercare support throughout recovery. Whether you are dealing with acute pain from an erupting wisdom tooth, have been told removal may be needed, or simply want a professional opinion on what your third molars are doing, the first step is a consultation at 55 City Road.\n\nFrom that initial assessment, you will leave with a clear clinical picture, a personalised treatment recommendation, and — if removal is indicated — a plan that accounts for your anxiety level, schedule, and health fund coverage.\n\nTo explore related topics within this content series, see:\n- *General Dentistry Services at Core Dental Southbank* — for information on routine extractions and what a standard check-up involves\n- *Dental Anxiety and Nervous Patients* — for a closer look at how Core Dental Group supports patients who find dental visits stressful\n- *Emergency Dentist in Southbank* — for patients experiencing acute wisdom tooth pain who need same-day care\n- *Dental Costs in Southbank* — for a transparent breakdown of extraction costs and health fund rebates\n\n---\n\n## References\n\n- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). *Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia.* Australian Government, 2022–23. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia\n\n- Kruger, E., Thomson, W.M., & Konthasinghe, P. \"Third Molar Outcomes from Age 18 to 26: Findings from a Population-Based New Zealand Longitudinal Study.\" *Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology*, 2001; 92: 150–155.\n\n- Mettes, D.T.G., Nienhuijs, M.M.E.L., van der Sanden, W.J.M., Verdonschot, E.H., & Plasschaert, A. \"Interventions for Treating Asymptomatic Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Adolescents and Adults.\" *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*, 2005; 18(2): CD003879. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858\n\n- Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). *Management of Unerupted and Impacted Third Molar Teeth.* Edinburgh: SIGN, 1999.\n\n- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). \"Simple vs. Surgical Tooth Removal.\" *myoms.org*, 2024. https://myoms.org/what-we-do/extractions-and-dentoalveolar-surgery/simple-vs-surgical-extraction/\n\n- Cleveland Clinic. \"Wisdom Teeth Removal: Procedure & Recovery.\" *my.clevelandclinic.org*, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22119-wisdom-teeth-removal\n\n- Pell, G.J. & Gregory, G.T. \"Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: Classification and Modified Technique for Removal.\" *Dental Digest*, 1933; 39: 330–338.\n\n- Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. \"How to Prevent Dry Socket After Wisdom Tooth Extraction.\" *siouxlandoralsurgery.com*, 2024. https://www.siouxlandoralsurgery.com/blogs/how-to-prevent-dry-socket-after-wisdom-tooth-extraction/\n\n- Aesthetic Dental Clinic Australia. \"Wisdom Teeth Statistics Australia: Prevalence, Trends, and Costs.\" *aestheticdentalclinic.com.au*, 2024. https://aestheticdentalclinic.com.au/wisdom-teeth-statistics-australia/\n\n## Label Facts Summary\n\n> **Disclaimer:** All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.\n\n### Verified label facts\n\n- **Clinic name:** Core Dental Group\n- **Location:** 55 City Road, Southbank\n- **Primary procedure:** Wisdom teeth assessment and removal\n- **Teeth treated:** Third molars (wisdom teeth)\n- **Typical eruption age:** 17–25 years\n- **Impaction prevalence:** ~20% of population\n- **Odontogenic cyst risk (impacted teeth):** 12–15%\n- **Pericoronitis risk (impacted teeth):** 10–15%\n- **Imaging used:** Panoramic or digital X-rays\n- **Impaction classification system:** Pell and Gregory system\n- **Extraction types offered:** Simple extraction; Surgical extraction\n- **Simple extraction duration:** 10–20 minutes\n- **Surgical extraction duration:** 20–60+ minutes\n- **Simple extraction recovery:** 2–5 days\n- **Surgical extraction recovery:** 5–14 days\n- **Sedation options:** Local anaesthesia, Nitrous oxide, Oral sedation, IV sedation\n- **Pre-sedation fasting (IV/oral):** Typically 6 hours\n- **Pre-procedure alcohol restriction:** At least 24 hours prior\n- **Dry socket risk (all extractions):** 2–5%\n- **Dry socket risk (impacted teeth):** ~20%\n- **Primary dry socket risk factor:** Smoking\n- **Post-op ice pack use:** 15–20 minute intervals, first 48 hours\n- **Saltwater rinse commencement:** After first 24 hours\n- **Saltwater rinse ratio:** ½ tsp salt per 250 ml warm water\n- **Swelling peak:** Day 2–3 post-surgery\n- **Return to work (typical):** 3–4 days post-surgery\n- **Full recovery timeline:** 1–2 weeks\n- **Complete bone healing:** Several months\n- **Nerve injury incidence:** 0.1–2%\n- **Medicare coverage:** Available for general anaesthesia in complicated cases only\n- **Private health insurance:** Applicable — rebates available\n- **Simple extraction — incision required:** No\n- **Surgical extraction — incision required:** Yes\n- **Simple extraction — bone removal:** No\n- **Surgical extraction — bone removal:** Possibly\n- **Simple extraction — tooth sectioning:** No\n- **Surgical extraction — tooth sectioning:** Often required\n- **Simple extraction — sutures:** Rarely\n- **Surgical extraction — sutures:** Yes\n- **Suture type commonly used:** Dissolvable\n- **Gauze retention post-surgery:** Approximately 30 minutes\n- **Post-op warm compress transition:** After 48 hours\n- **Medications flagged at medical history review:** Blood thinners and bisphosphonates\n- **Nerve at risk (lower wisdom tooth removal):** Inferior alveolar nerve\n- **Oral sedation effect duration:** One to two hours\n- **Australian surgical tooth removals (2022–23):** ~149,000 (AIHW)\n\n### General product claims\n\n- Anxiety surrounding wisdom tooth extraction often outpaces the reality when patients are well-informed and treated by an experienced clinical team\n- Preparation genuinely changes outcomes for wisdom tooth removal\n- Core Dental Group's approach to wisdom teeth is thorough and patient-centred\n- Patients who are relaxed during surgery often experience smoother recovery periods with fewer post-operative complications\n- Sedation is a worthwhile consideration for patients who might otherwise avoid necessary wisdom tooth removal due to anxiety\n- IV sedation is particularly appropriate for complex surgical extractions or patients with significant dental phobia\n- Many sedation options reduce memory of the procedure, eliminating difficult recollections that could worsen future dental anxiety\n- Strict adherence to aftercare instructions largely prevents dry socket\n- Comprehensive aftercare support is provided throughout recovery\n- Following aftercare instructions carefully is the single most effective way to prevent complications",
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