Wisdom Teeth Removal at Core Dental Southbank product guide

Wisdom teeth removal at Core Dental Group Southbank

Core Dental Group Southbank | 55 City Rd, Southbank VIC 3006 | (03) 8547 0780 | southbank@coredental.com.au

Core Dental Group has been looking after Melbourne patients for years. At the Southbank clinic, the team assesses, advises on, and where needed removes wisdom teeth — the third molars at the back of your mouth, and the teeth most likely to cause trouble — in a calm, professional environment a few minutes from the Melbourne CBD.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through, typically appearing between the ages of 17 and 25. Most adults have four, one in each corner of the mouth. Because the modern jaw often doesn't have enough room for them, they frequently cause problems.

When do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Not all wisdom teeth need to come out. Some emerge fully and cause no trouble at all. Removal is commonly recommended, though, when:

• The wisdom tooth is impacted — trapped beneath the gum or pressed against the adjacent tooth
• There is pericoronitis — infection and swelling of the gum tissue around a partially erupted wisdom tooth
• Wisdom teeth are causing decay in themselves or the neighbouring teeth, because they're so hard to clean properly
• A cyst has formed around an unerupted wisdom tooth
• Wisdom teeth are crowding the other teeth
• You have persistent pain, swelling, or infection at the back of the mouth

A wisdom tooth assessment before age 25 is worth doing even if you have no symptoms. Extraction is generally simpler and heals faster in younger patients.

What to expect during wisdom tooth removal

Straightforward extractions at Core Dental Group Southbank are done in the chair under local anaesthetic. You'll be comfortable and pain-free throughout. If you're anxious about dental treatment, happy gas (nitrous oxide) is available to help you relax.

For more complex impacted wisdom teeth — where the tooth is deeply embedded in bone or sitting at a difficult angle — you may be referred to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon for removal under general anaesthetic as a day surgery procedure. Medicare rebates may apply in these cases.

Recovery after wisdom tooth removal

How long recovery takes depends on the complexity of the extraction. Most patients feel back to normal within a few days after a simple case, and within one to two weeks after a surgical extraction.

Post-removal care:

• Avoid smoking for at least 72 hours — it significantly raises the risk of dry socket
• Don't use a straw for 48 hours
• Avoid alcohol and hot liquids for the first 24–48 hours
• Stick to soft foods while you're healing
• Apply an ice pack to your cheek to keep swelling down
• Rinse gently with warm salt water after the first 24 hours
• Take any prescribed medications as directed

Dry socket warning: If severe pain develops 2–3 days after the extraction, call us promptly. Dry socket is the most common post-extraction complication and is easily treated.

Book at Core Dental Group Southbank

Core Dental Group Southbank is at 55 City Rd, Southbank VIC 3006, a short walk from Flinders Street Station. The clinic is open from 8:00 am Monday to Friday, with tram access and nearby parking.

• Phone: (03) 8547 0780
• Email: southbank@coredental.com.au
• National bookings: 13 13 16
• Online: coredental.com.au

All major health funds are accepted with HICAPS on-the-spot claiming. Payright interest-free payment plans are available. Eligible children may be bulk billed under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for wisdom tooth extraction.

Core Dental Group Southbank — your local dental practice

Specialist referrals — Collins Street Specialist Centre

For complex wisdom tooth cases requiring oral and maxillofacial surgical expertise, Southbank patients can be referred to the Collins Street Specialist Centre at 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD. More than 20 board-registered dental specialists practise there. Your Core Dental Group dentist handles the referral, and your records are shared securely within the group.

Collins Street Specialist Centre — Phone: (03) 9650 2726

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to come out? Common signs include persistent pain at the back of the jaw, swelling or infection around the gum, difficulty opening your mouth, or your dentist spotting impaction or early decay on X-rays. A wisdom tooth assessment before age 25 is worthwhile even without symptoms.

Is wisdom tooth removal painful? In-chair removal is done under local anaesthetic, so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Some soreness for 2 to 3 days afterwards is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Complex surgical removal is done under general anaesthetic.

Do I need to take time off work? For a simple in-chair extraction, most people are back at a desk the next day. Surgical removal under general anaesthetic typically means 2 to 3 days at home to recover.

Are all four wisdom teeth removed at the same time? Sometimes, particularly for surgical removal under general anaesthetic, where taking all four out at once means only one recovery period. For in-chair removal, the symptomatic teeth are generally addressed first and the others reviewed. Your dentist will recommend the right approach for your situation.

Wisdom tooth removal pricing at Southbank

Fees depend on the number of teeth, their position in the jaw, and whether the extraction can be done in the chair under local anaesthetic or needs to be referred to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon for treatment 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.

Post-extraction aftercare instructions

How you care for your mouth after an extraction has a real effect on how well and how quickly you heal. Some swelling and discomfort are expected. Following the instructions below carefully will help keep both to a minimum.

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

Ice packs

Many patients find an ice pack over the cheek soothing in the first few hours after surgery. A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth works just as well as a purpose-made pack. Apply for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, during the first several hours.

Numbness

The anaesthetic will leave your lips, tongue, and cheeks numb for several hours after the procedure. Take care not to bite these areas before sensation has fully returned.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal response to oral surgery and tends to reflect how involved the procedure was. It usually peaks around 24 to 36 hours after surgery, then gradually settles. In most cases it has reduced significantly by four to five days.

Bruising

Bruising often appears as the swelling goes down. This is very common after oral surgery and is 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 putting a towel over your pillow overnight. If bleeding is persistent or concerning, call us.

Discomfort

Some discomfort after a tooth extraction is unavoidable. Take pain relief regularly (avoiding aspirin, which can increase bleeding), ideally before the anaesthetic wears off. Most patients are considerably more comfortable within two to three days.

Oral care

• Day 1: Don't rinse, spit, or use a straw on the day of the extraction. Any of these actions can dislodge the blood clot forming in the socket, which slows healing and can cause a painful condition called dry socket.
• From day 2 onwards: Warm salt water rinses (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) every four hours help promote healing and keep the socket clean.

Diet

Stick to soft foods initially. You may also find your mouth doesn't open as wide as usual for up to a week because of swelling — this gradually improves. Work back towards normal foods as healing progresses.

Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least 48 hours after the extraction, as both significantly slow the healing process.

Infection

Infection after a routine extraction is uncommon. When it does occur, it usually shows up as increased swelling, discomfort, or discharge around three to four days after the procedure. If you were prescribed antibiotics, complete the full course even if you're feeling fine.

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 remove them.

If healing isn't going as expected

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

Specialist care when you need it

For complex cases requiring 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.