Oral surgery

You and Dr Patel may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advancedperiodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.

To avoid these complications, in most cases, Dr Patel will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.

At the time of extraction Dr Patel will need to numb your tooth, jaw bone and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.

During the extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.

You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.

If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know right away.

Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. Dr Patel will simply cut the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood.

After the blood clot forms it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use pain medication as directed. Call our surgery if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our surgery immediately.

Wisdom teeth can do more than overcrowd their neighbours. In fact, they can damage the adjacent second molars by contributing to bone loss and cavities.

An impacted wisdom tooth can also lead to tiny tumours or cysts in the jawbone. These can grow quite large and are best removed early to prevent problems.

With an evaluation and scans of your jaws and mouth, our leading board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons can evaluate your wisdom teeth and determine if there are present issues or the potential for future problems.

We understand patients want to know how much their procedure will cost. We discuss payment prior to treatment and provide several options, including plans. We will facilitate all insurance claims for your convenience.

• The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, oral sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity and the patient’s preference. All options and costs are discussed prior to the procedure.
• We ask that a parent or responsible escort accompanies you to the surgery and drives you home after your procedure.
• Your surgeon will make incisions in the gum tissue and carefully remove the teeth. State-of-the-art sterilization and infection control techniques are used at all times.
• The procedure typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, with a 30 minute in-office recovery period.
• After the procedure you may experience pain, swelling and bleeding, which can be managed with pain medications, ice packs, and rest. It is important to follow the post-operative instructions given by your surgeon to avoid any complications.
• The recovery period is dependent on the complexity of the extraction and the patient’s overall health, but most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days to a week. Stitches (sutures) typically dissolve in 5 days and do not require removal.

We are an accredited surgery centre, with standards similar to hospitals. We are the only Quad A accredited outpatient surgery centre for oral and maxillofacial surgery in the area. This is a rigorous process only few facilities nationwide undertake, which reflects our commitment to safety and excellence.

A Specialist Level Of Care
While the removal of a wisdom tooth is a fairly common procedure, you can have full confidence in our surgeons’ knowledge and expertise as they perform simple-to-complicated surgeries every day.

Purpose-Built Clinic Using Advanced Technology
We use the latest technology and best-practice techniques in the industry to provide a superior service. We grow, learn, and improve upon our methods to get the best results.

A Trusted & Experienced Team
With our years of experience performing wisdom tooth removals, we’re confident that you won’t find a better team to take on the task.

If you would like to discuss this treatment further, please call us or request an appointment.

We are fully trained and equipped for any anaesthesia method that our patients need or choose to have, We offer all three anaesthetic options to maximise your comfort:

• Local anaesthesia
• IV sedation (“half asleep”)
• General anaesthesia (“fully asleep”)

We aim to provide optimal care in an atmosphere that emphasises comfort. A spa-like atmosphere optimises our patient’s experience. A personalised process where we can cater to each patient’s needs. We take pride in our patient care.