What should you expect when you are 17 years old or 25 years old? The eruption of the Wisdom tooth in your mouth!
And what does this wisdom tooth bring along with it? It brings along, at times, pain, alignment changes and inflammation.
What are wisdom teeth?
A person gets 28 teeth by the time they are a teenager and is expected to have 32 teeth by the age of 17 to 22 years. The difference between 28 and 32 teeth is covered by four teeth in the corner of your mouth, known as wisdom teeth.
Why are wisdom teeth named wisdom teeth?
Because they come at the age where you are no longer a child and are assumed to be “wiser”.
What will be the price range of your wisdom tooth extraction?
| Type of extraction | Cost range |
| Simple extraction | $150 – $350 |
|
Surgical extraction (Impacted or complex cases) |
$300 – $800 |
This extract wisdom tooth price range differs depending on four factors
That is
- The location of your dental clinic
- The skills and experience of your dentist
- The length of your treatment, i.e. Whether your wisdom tooth is impacted, partially erupted or not impacted and fully erupted.
- The type of dental clinic you choose for the treatment, i.e. Whether you are getting your treatment done from a government hospital, dental college or dental clinic with an affiliated oral surgeon.
Healing after wisdom tooth extraction
Healing after wisdom tooth extraction is a period which decides the treatment’s outcome.
The following things can happen if the proper care is not taken during the healing period.
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Dry socket
This causes pain and doesn’t allow you to consume your food comfortably, which drastically affects your health.
What helps to heal the area after tooth extraction wisdom tooth?
- The first 24 hours can be difficult for you after tooth extraction wisdom tooth; there are a few things you need to follow for better healing.
- You should not spit for the first 24 hours as it can cause your blood clot in the socket to get dislodged leading to bleeding and discomfort.
- The cotton your dentist keeps inside your mouth should not be removed for one hour.
- Do cold compressions immediately after the extraction to avoid a large swelling.
- Now, another step to follow for a week is to have a soft meal that is easy to chew.
- Don’t sleep on the side of the extracted tooth; sleep on the opposite side.
- Avoid hard, spicy and oily food, which can cause irritation in the treated region.
In most cases, you will get stitches in the extracted area; after one week, your dentist will call you to check the healing progress of the extracted region, and at the same time, your dentist will remove those stitches.
Picture of healed wisdom tooth extraction
The difference between wisdom tooth and molar extraction
| Aspect | Wisdom tooth extraction | Molar extraction |
| Location | Typically, at the back of the mouth, often in the upper or lower jaw | Located in the back of the mouth, but not necessarily wisdom teeth |
| Number of teeth | Usually refers to the third molars (four in total) | Refers to the first and second molars (up to four per side) |
| Common issues | Often impacted or partially erupted, it can cause pressure or pain | Generally removed due to decay, damage, or overcrowding |
| Complexity | Often more complex due to impaction or difficult positioning | Typically, it is less complex unless there’s significant decay or damage |
| Procedure duration | It may take longer, especially if impaction is involved | Usually quicker and simpler |
| Cost | Generally higher due to complexity and surgical requirements | Usually, it is lower compared to wisdom tooth extraction |
| Recovery time | It can be longer due to potential complications like infection or swelling | Often shorter and less problematic |
FAQ
What can you eat after wisdom tooth extraction?
You can have liquids, soups, and broth as a meal; for snacks, you can have fruits like watermelon, grapes, bananas, etc. You can have flavoured ORS solution to maintain your overall health.
How long will pain last after wisdom tooth extraction?
The pain almost lasts a week after wisdom tooth extraction in normal conditions. If the pain is not subsiding, you should visit your dentist to avoid further complications.
Can I brush my teeth after wisdom tooth extraction?
It would be best if you brushed your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush after wisdom tooth extraction. You must avoid the area of extraction, but you can brush the rest of the teeth normally. You can use mouthwash with betadine content if your mouth is not opening correctly.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth extraction is a treatment performed by your dentist to remove the last molar, which comes around the age of 17 to 22 years. Wisdom teeth, most of the time, are impacted or partially erupted. In such cases, surgical removal is done, and if the wisdom tooth is fully erupted and accessible, normal extraction is performed using forceps. The cost range of wisdom tooth extraction starts from AUD 150 to 350 for non-surgical extraction and AUD 300 – 800 for surgical removal.