Wisdom Teeth Extractions

This is a misconception with many patients as you can see many wisdom teeth extractions with sedation that is shown in TikTok or short form video content. What a lot of patients don't realize is that sedation can come with side effects and risks. These risks can be dangerous and could result in serious injury or death. That is why at Carlton Dental in downtown Toronto, we don't recommend sedation unless the patient is anxious about dental care to the point that it would affect the treatment process. For many patient's local anesthetic is often enough to remove wisdom teeth painlessly.

Follow post-operative instructions to promote proper healing and minimize complications. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Bite on Gauze: Keep the gauze pad placed by your dentist firmly in place by biting down on it and change it every 20-30 minutes. This helps control bleeding and allows a blood clot to form at the extraction site. Stop the use of gauze once bleeding is under control.

• Avoid Disturbing the Extraction Site: For the next 24 hours, avoid touching the extraction site with your fingers or tongue to prevent irritation or dislodging the blood clot.

• Take Pain Medication as Prescribed: If you experience discomfort or pain after the extraction, take the prescribed or recommended pain medication as directed by your dentist. Follow the dosage instructions carefully.

• Apply Ice Packs: To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack or a cold compress to the affected area for about 10 minutes at a time. Use this technique intermittently during the first 24 hours following the extraction.

• Avoid Rinsing or Spitting: Refrain from rinsing your mouth vigorously or spitting forcefully for at least 24 hours. This can disrupt the blood clot and may lead to prolonged bleeding or a condition called dry socket.

• Be Gentle During Oral Care: Brush and floss your teeth as usual, but be cautious around the extraction site. Avoid brushing directly on the extraction site for the first day to prevent irritation.

• Eat Soft Foods: Stick to a soft-food diet for the first few days after the extraction. Incorporate items like yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and scrambled eggs. Gradually reintroduce solid foods as you feel comfortable.

• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Refrain from smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages for at least 72 hours, as these can delay the healing process and increase the risk of complications.

• Take Antibiotics if Prescribed: If your dentist prescribed antibiotics, make sure to take the full course as instructed. This helps prevent infection at the extraction site.

• Attend Follow-up Appointments: Keep your scheduled follow-up appointments with your dentist. They will assess your healing progress, remove any stitches if necessary, and provide further instructions for post-extraction care.

Remember, these instructions are general guidelines, and your dentist may provide specific instructions tailored to your situation. If you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain, persistent swelling, or any other concerning symptoms, contact your dentist immediately for further guidance and evaluation.

Wisdom teeth need to be removed usually because there is no space in the jaw to accommodate these extra teeth. This lack of space can cause the wisdom teeth to come out in awkward angles that can result in the teeth being stuck underneath the gums or jaw bone, also known as impaction. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause deep pockets to form between the tooth and the gums. This can result in the gums being constantly being inflamed from food getting caught in these pockets. It can also result in cavities to form on the wisdom teeth that can spread to the adjacent teeth.

Most people will find their wisdom teeth starting to erupt between the ages of 17 to 25. Some people genetically are missing some or all of their wisdom teeth. A panoramic x-ray can be taken to visualize where these teeth are located in the jaw.

In Toronto, most dental insurance plans typically cover a portion of the cost for wisdom tooth extractions if the procedure is medically necessary, such as in cases of impaction or infection. Coverage generally ranges between 50-80%, but specifics depend on your policy, including factors like annual maximums, deductibles, and whether the dentist is within the insurance network

Wisdom teeth removal is classified as a major dental service under many insurance policies, meaning you may still have some out-of-pocket costs to consider. Some plans might limit coverage to two extractions per year, so if all four wisdom teeth need removal, you may need to plan accordingly.

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover dental extractions, including wisdom teeth removal, unless performed in a hospital setting due to complications. For additional financial help, clinics may offer payment plans, and dental schools like the University of Toronto may provide lower-cost options.

Always confirm with your insurance provider beforehand to understand your specific coverage.