Do All Wisdom Teeth Need Surgery to Be Removed?
Do all wisdom teeth need surgery? Actually, our South Perth Dentist gets that question a lot daily! Well, the short answer is, no, not necessary! Not every wisdom tooth needs a surgical extraction, and some can be taken out with a simple extraction. We usually decide whether your wisdom tooth requires surgery based on its position in your jaw, how much of your wisdom tooth is visible, and whether it is close to important spots like the nerves or sinus.
If you’ve ever wondered which wisdom teeth can be removed simply and which ones need surgery, we have explained it here.
How Do You Know If Your Wisdom Teeth Need Surgery?
According to Dr Roya Moulavi, if your wisdom teeth show any of the following signs, surgery may be the safest way to remove them:
The Tooth Is Impacted
If your wisdom tooth is buried under your gum or bone, or is coming through at the wrong angle, it usually won’t come out easily. In these cases, we recommend wisdom tooth surgery to carefully remove it.
The Tooth Is Only Partly Through the Gum
When your wisdom tooth has only come halfway through your gum, it creates a little pocket where food and bacteria get stuck. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause you to experience repeated infections, swelling, or decay, which is why we may recommend surgery as the safest way to deal with it.
The Roots Are Deep or Difficult
In some cases, we see that some of our patients have wisdom teeth with roots that grow deeper than usual or twist in odd ways. In such cases, a simple extraction is not the best option, and surgery gives us the control to take it out safely.
It’s Hard to Open Your Mouth Wide
If opening your mouth is tricky, reaching the wisdom tooth with instruments can be near impossible. Surgery allows us better access, so we can remove it without straining your jaw.
The Tooth Is Close to Sensitive Structures
Sometimes your wisdom tooth may have grown very close to a major nerve or the sinus. In these cases, we recommend surgical removal of the wisdom tooth so that we can remove your tooth carefully while protecting those important areas.
In most cases, we suggest removing a wisdom tooth that is already causing you problems like infection, decay, or cysts, or when it may be a risk to the neighbouring teeth.
For extra insights, browse our wisdom teeth removal guide for Perth.
When a Simple Extraction Is Enough
Ok, now that you know when a surgical approach may be the better option for your wisdom teeth, read on to see the situations where a simple extraction is usually enough:
The Tooth Has Fully Come Through
If your wisdom tooth has erupted fully and sits in line with your other teeth, it often comes out easily — we can usually remove it with a simple, careful pull.
There’s Good Access and Straight Roots
When we can reach your wisdom tooth properly, and the roots aren’t bent or hooked, removal is usually straightforward, and our dentists can safely remove your wisdom tooth with a simple extraction in the chair.
Upper Wisdom Teeth Are Often Simpler
In many patients, upper wisdom teeth are easier to remove than the lower ones. In fact, a lot of them can be taken out in the chair with just local anaesthetic.
Simple vs Surgical Removal of Wisdom Teeth
Do you like to know how each procedure is performed in our Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic? Here’a simple guide:
Simple Extraction
- Your tooth has fully come through the gum and sits nice and straight.
- We gently loosen it and lift it out — no cutting of the gum or bone needed.
- You usually won’t need stitches.
- In most cases, we use a local anaesthetic in the chair, and the whole process is quicker than many people expect.
Surgical Removal
- If your tooth is hidden under the gum or bone, we may gently lift the gum to reach it.
- Sometimes we remove a small piece of bone to make space.
- We may divide your tooth into smaller sections so it comes out more comfortably.
- We place stitches afterwards to help with healing.
- This type of procedure can still be done with local anaesthetic, but we also offer Sleep Dentistry in Perth if you’d prefer to feel more relaxed.
Do All Wisdom Teeth Need Surgery? Here’s How Our South Perth Dentist Decides
Patients often ask us how we decide if a wisdom tooth needs surgery or if a simple extraction is enough. The truth is, it’s never a guess — we look at a mix of scans, symptoms, and your personal situation before making a decision:
Exam and X-ray
We usually start with a panoramic X-ray (an OPG). It gives us a big-picture view of your jaws, and shows where your wisdom teeth are, how their roots are shaped, and whether they’re close to a nerve or the sinus.
Sometimes a 3D Scan
If the X-ray shows that a nerve might be close to the roots, we may recommend a 3D scan (CBCT). It lets us see the details more clearly, plan safely, and sometimes even choose an alternative like a coronectomy to protect the nerve.
Your Symptoms and Situation
Scans are only part of the story. We also ask about what you’ve been feeling — pain, swelling, infections, or pressure. Then we look at the bigger picture: your health, how much time you can take off work or study, and yes, your budget!
Questions and Second Opinions
We always encourage you to ask questions, and if your case is a bit more complicated, there’s nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion. We want to make sure that you feel confident about whether you need a simple or a surgical wisdom tooth removal.
Why You Can Trust Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic
We deal with wisdom teeth all the time: From the simple extractions that take only a few minutes to the more complex surgical cases, our team has seen just about every situation. So, rest assured that we know how to handle yours safely.
We keep things clear and honest: We understand that sometimes, dentistry can sound complicated, but our dentists will explain everything in plain English, without the jargon. You’ll always know what’s happening and why a certain option is being recommended.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all: We don’t forget that every patient is different. So, we look at your scans, your symptoms, and your personal circumstances before giving advice, so you can feel confident the plan is right for you.
We know it can feel stressful: Whether you’re calm about dental work or the idea makes you anxious, our team listens and supports you.
Every choice we make — whether it’s a scan, an anaesthetic option, or the decision between simple and surgical removal — is about protecting your health and making the experience as smooth as possible.
Upper vs Lower Wisdom Teeth—Does It Change the Plan?
Your upper wisdom teeth are often simpler for us to remove because the bone around them is thinner, and we usually have better access. You lower wisdom teeth, on the other hand, are more likely to be stuck under the gum or sitting close to the jaw nerve, which makes surgical removal of wisdom teeth safer and more common.
When you need urgent dental assistance, you can count on our Emergency Dentist Perth.
Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic Offers Sedation!
Some people feel fine having their wisdom teeth out with just local anaesthetic, but some of our patients prefer a little extra help to stay calm and stress-free throughout the procedure.
At our clinic, you can choose what suits you best — from Happy Gas Perth that takes the edge off, to a sedation tablet (Oral Sedation), to IV Sedation for a relaxed, dream-like state. For the most complex cases, General Anaesthesia Perth may be the safest choice.
You have options, and we’ll always talk through them with you so you feel at ease before anything starts.
Wisdom Teeth Recovery: Simple Extraction Vs Surgical Removal
If your wisdom tooth comes out with a simple extraction, you’ll usually only feel a bit sore for a day or two, and you won’t usually need stitches. With surgery, your healing can take longer; swelling or bruising often is at its worst around days two to three, your stitches come out (or dissolve) in about a week, and most people feel back to normal within a week or two. Keep an eye out for red flags like fever, pain that suddenly gets worse after day three or four, a bad taste in your mouth, or numbness that doesn’t go away — if that happens, call us (08) 9474 5083 so we can check in on you.
Costs—What Affects the Fee in Perth?
Many patients come to us asking about the wisdom tooth removal cost in Perth, and it’s a fair question. The truth is, the cost isn’t the same for everyone because no two mouths are the same.
It depends on whether your tooth can be taken out with a simple extraction or if surgery is needed, how many of your teeth are involved, and if we need extra imaging to plan safely.
Sedation or general anaesthetic can also change the fee. Costs may differ between seeing a dentist or a specialist, and your private health cover and any excess on your policy will affect the cost, as well.
That’s why we always suggest bringing your fund details so we can give you the clearest picture. If treatment happens in the chair, it’s usually private billing, while hospital-based care can involve separate dental, medical, and hospital fees.
FAQs about Simple Vs Surgical Removal of Wisdom Teeth
Yes, they can. If your wisdom tooth has fully come through and is sitting straight, we can usually take it out with a simple extraction. No cutting of the gum or bone is needed, and recovery is usually pretty quick.
Sometimes, if we can see and reach enough of the tooth. But often, when part of the tooth is still under the gum or keeps getting infected, surgery is the safer option. We’ll let you know which applies to you after looking at your X-ray.
Not always, but they’re often easier than lowers. The bone in the upper jaw is thinner, so access is usually better. That said, some uppers sit close to the sinus or come in at an angle, and those might still need surgery.
Usually, no, a normal panoramic X-ray gives us enough information. We only suggest a 3D scan if your tooth roots look very close to a nerve or the sinus. It helps us plan safely and avoid unnecessary risks.
Not always. If the tooth isn’t causing pain, infection, or damage, we often recommend monitoring instead of removing it right away. The decision depends on your situation, and we’ll talk it through with you.
A coronectomy is when we only remove the top of the wisdom tooth and leave the roots behind. We usually consider it when the roots sit right next to a nerve, so there’s less risk of nerve damage. Done in the right cases, it’s safe — but it does need follow-up.
With a simple extraction, you might be back the next day. Surgery usually needs a few days of rest, and it’s best to hold off on heavy exercise for about a week. Everyone heals differently, so we’ll guide you based on your case.
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this blog is here to help you understand wisdom teeth better, but it’s not a substitute for personal dental advice. Every mouth is different, and what’s right for one person may not be right for another. If you’re worried about your wisdom teeth or if you’re in pain, please book an appointment with your dentist or come and see us so we can give you advice tailored to your situation.
Schedule Your Wisdom Tooth Check in Perth
If you’ve been wondering about your wisdom teeth, now’s a good time to get them checked. We’ll take a look, explain your options, and help you plan the next step with confidence. Book your visit by calling us at: (08) 9474 5083.