Wisdom Teeth Removal at Core Dental Berwick product guide

Wisdom teeth removal at Core Dental Group Berwick

Core Dental Group Berwick | Shop 29, 1 O'Shea Rd, Berwick VIC 3806 | (03) 9132 4160 | berwick@coredental.com.au

Core Dental Group Berwick has been part of the local community for over 10 years. Dr Evan Gai, who has a particular focus on oral surgery and dental implants, leads wisdom tooth assessment and removal at the practice. Extended appointment slots mean you won't feel rushed through the process.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the four third molars at the very back of the mouth — the last teeth to come through, usually somewhere between the ages of 17 and 25. By that point, most people's jaws are already fully developed, which often means there simply isn't enough room for them to emerge properly.

When do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

The decision to remove wisdom teeth is always based on your individual situation. Removal is generally recommended when:

• The wisdom tooth is impacted — stuck in the bone or gum, growing sideways or at an angle
• You have recurring pericoronitis — a painful infection of the gum tissue around a partially erupted wisdom tooth
• The wisdom tooth or the adjacent second molar is decayed in a position that can't be properly cleaned or restored
• A dental cyst is forming around the unerupted tooth
• Ongoing pain, swelling, or bad breath is linked to the position of the wisdom tooth
• The teeth are creating pressure or crowding against neighbouring teeth

Getting your wisdom teeth assessed before the age of 25 is worth doing. Younger patients tend to have shorter roots, which makes extractions more straightforward and recovery faster.

Dr Evan Gai — special interest in oral surgery

Dr Evan Gai's focus on oral surgery means patients in Berwick get confident, experienced care during more complex wisdom tooth extractions, including those that need minor surgical access in the chair under local anaesthetic.

Where a case involves deep impaction, proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve, or significant surgical complexity, Dr Gai will give you a clear assessment and arrange a referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for day surgery under general anaesthetic. Medicare rebates may apply.

What to expect

Straightforward extractions are done in the chair under local anaesthetic. Sedation is also available for patients who feel anxious about the procedure.

Surgical extractions may be performed in-chair by Dr Gai where appropriate, or referred to a specialist oral surgeon for more complex cases.

Before you leave, you'll receive a post-operative care pack and clear instructions to guide your recovery.

Recovery after wisdom tooth removal

After your extraction at Core Dental Group Berwick:

• Rest at home for the remainder of the day
• Apply an ice pack to the cheek to help reduce swelling
• Avoid smoking for at least 72 hours — smoking is the leading cause of dry socket
• Don't use straws or drink alcohol for 48 hours
• Stick to soft, cool foods until you're feeling more comfortable
• Gently rinse with warm salt water from 24 hours after the procedure
• Take any prescribed medications as directed

Most patients with simple extractions feel back to themselves within a few days. Surgical extractions may involve a recovery period of up to one to two weeks. If significant pain returns two to three days after the extraction, contact us straight away — this may be a sign of dry socket.

About Core Dental Group Berwick

Core Dental Group Berwick offers Melbourne's south-east the most comprehensive range of dental services within the Core Dental Group. On-site, you'll find a specialist paediatric dentist (Dr Sarah Scott), a dental prosthetist (Alessio Pecorella), and a dental hygienist (Isabelle Sayers). Dr Ivy Jin speaks Mandarin Chinese, and Dr Chelsea Nguyen is also part of the team. The practice is a preferred provider for CBHS, HCF, and NIB.

Book at Core Dental Group Berwick

You'll find us at Shop 29, 1 O'Shea Rd, Berwick VIC 3806, inside Eden Rise Village. Parking is available at the shopping precinct, and Berwick Station is about 15 minutes' walk away.

• Phone: (03) 9132 4160
• Email: berwick@coredental.com.au
• National bookings: 13 13 16
• Online: coredental.com.au

HICAPS on-the-spot health fund claiming is available. Payright interest-free payment plans run for up to 30 months. Eligible children aged 0–17 can be bulk billed under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Core Dental Group Berwick — your local dental practice

Wisdom tooth removal pricing at Berwick

What you'll pay depends on how many teeth need to come out, where they sit in the jaw, and whether the extraction can be done in-chair under local anaesthetic or needs to go to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon under general anaesthetic.

Fees shown are a guide only and are subject to clinical assessment. All patients receive a written, itemised quote before any treatment begins. Complex impacted cases requiring surgical removal under general anaesthetic are referred to a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon — separate hospital and surgical fees apply, and Medicare rebates may be available for eligible procedures.

Payment options: HICAPS on-the-spot health fund claiming | Payright interest-free plans up to 30 months | Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) bulk billing for eligible children aged 0–17.

Specialist referrals — Collins Street Specialist Centre

Patients at Core Dental Group Berwick who need specialist care are referred to the Collins Street Specialist Centre at 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD. More than 20 board-registered dental specialists work from this location. Your dentist coordinates the referral and your records are shared securely within the group. Phone: (03) 9650 2726.

Post-extraction aftercare instructions

How you look after your mouth after an extraction has a real impact on how well and how quickly you heal. Some swelling and discomfort are normal, and both can be kept to a minimum by following the instructions below.

If you're having any difficulties, call Core Dental Group on 13 13 16.

Ice packs

Applying an ice pack over the cheek can help in the first few hours after surgery. A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth works just as well as a purpose-made ice pack. Use it for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, during the first several hours after your procedure.

Numbness

The anaesthetic will leave your lips, tongue, and cheeks numb for several hours. Take care not to bite these areas while sensation hasn't fully returned.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal response to oral surgery and is often related to how involved the procedure was. It typically peaks 24 to 36 hours after surgery and then begins to settle. In most cases, it has reduced significantly after four to five days.

Bruising

Bruising may appear as the swelling resolves. This is common after oral surgery and nothing to worry about.

Bleeding

If bleeding occurs, use the gauze provided — or a clean, knotted handkerchief — to apply firm, direct pressure to the extraction site for at least one hour. It's worth placing towels over your linen or pillow overnight. If bleeding persists or is causing concern, contact us.

Discomfort

Some discomfort after a tooth extraction is expected. Take pain relief regularly after the procedure, ideally before the anaesthetic wears off, and avoid aspirin, which can increase bleeding risk. Most patients are considerably more comfortable within two to three days.

Oral care

On the day of the extraction, avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw. Any of these can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the socket, which slows healing and can lead to a painful condition called dry socket.

From day two onwards, warm salt water mouth rinses help promote healing and keep the socket clean. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse every four hours.

Diet

Keep to soft foods initially. Swelling may also limit how widely you can open your mouth for up to a week, though this gradually improves. Work your way back to normal foods as healing progresses.

Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least 48 hours after your extraction, as both interfere with healing.

Infection

Infection is uncommon after a routine extraction. When it does occur, it usually presents as increased swelling, discomfort, or discharge appearing three to four days after the procedure. If you were prescribed antibiotics, complete the full course even if you're feeling better before they run out.

Stitches

Dissolvable stitches, if placed, will fall out or dissolve on their own within about seven days. If non-dissolvable stitches were used, an appointment will be made to have them removed.

Issues with healing

If your discomfort is getting worse in the three to four days after your extraction rather than improving, get in touch so we can check the healing site. Call Core Dental Group on 13 13 16.

Specialist care when you need it

For complex cases that need a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon, your Core Dental Group dentist can refer you to the Collins Street Specialist Centre, where more than 25 registered specialists across every dental discipline practise under one roof. Browse the specialist directory to learn more.