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Surgical · Canberra City
Wisdom Teeth & Extractions
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out — but the wrong one left too long is a painful mistake. We'll have a look, take an X-ray, and tell you straight: watch it, or take it out. If it's the latter, most can be removed right here under local anaesthetic, no hospital or general needed.
When to watch and when to remove
A wisdom tooth that's fully through, sits straight and can be cleaned properly can stay — we'll just keep an eye on it at check-ups. Removal comes into the conversation when a tooth is impacted (stuck against the tooth in front), partially erupted with a gum flap that traps food, repeatedly infected, or quietly damaging the molar next door. That last one is the sneaky one — it can progress painlessly until both teeth are in trouble.
What removal is actually like
We numb the area thoroughly and Dr Gupta removes the tooth — sometimes in one piece, sometimes in sections if it's impacted. You'll feel pressure but not pain. Most wisdom teeth take twenty to forty minutes. Then a few stitches if needed, gauze, clear aftercare instructions and our number in case you've got questions over the weekend.
Recovery
Plan for a few quiet days. Soft food, salt-water rinses from day two, no straws, no smoking, and don't poke at it. Swelling peaks around day two or three and settles from there. Most people are back to normal within a week. We'll book a quick follow-up to check healing.
Cost and other extractions
Price depends on how the tooth is sitting — a straightforward upper is very different from a deeply impacted lower — so we quote after the X-ray. Health funds contribute under general or major dental depending on the item. We also take out other teeth that are past saving, with the same gentle approach.
Things people ask about wisdom teeth & extractions
For most wisdom teeth, no — they can be removed in the chair with local anaesthetic. Very deeply impacted teeth close to the nerve, or people who'd prefer to be asleep, may be better off with a specialist under general, and we'll refer you if that's the case.