When you find out you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. One of the most common is, “Who performs wisdom teeth removal?” It’s natural to look for the best care for your dental health. No matter why your wisdom teeth need to be extracted, knowing who is responsible for this dental procedure can put your mind at ease and prepare you for your dental treatment.
The Professionals Behind Your Smile: Who Removes Wisdom Teeth?
It may be more comforting for you to know who will be taking out your wisdom teeth. Be with us to introduce you to experts who are in charge of ensuring your smile stays healthy.
Dentists and Their Role in Wisdom Teeth Assessment
A visit to your dentist, whom you already know and trust, is the start of the journey. Dentists play a crucial role in the early stages of dental problems. They are the ones who can monitor how your wisdom teeth are coming in during your regular checkups and can catch any issues early on. They will inform you whether your wisdom teeth may be causing overcrowding or if they do not have sufficient room to emerge and are becoming impacted using dental X-rays. Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon if they notice something about your wisdom teeth that needs a closer look.
Oral Surgeon: The Expert Who Performs Wisdom Teeth Removal with Precision
Oral surgeons have additional training beyond dental school that focuses on surgery within the mouth and jaw, which is why they are experts at removing complicated wisdom teeth. Suppose the tooth removal procedure is predicted to be complex. In that case, your South Perth dentist will usually send you to an oral surgeon who has the necessary knowledge and tools to extract your tooth smoothly.
Can General Dentists Perform Wisdom Teeth Removal?
If the tooth removal is expected to be straightforward and the tooth is fully erupted and visible above your gum, your general dentist will perform wisdom tooth removal themselves. However, if they think your tooth may cause complications or require special attention, they’ll refer you to an oral surgeon to ensure you are comfortable and safe during your wisdom teeth removal and that you receive the best care possible.
The Difference Between General Dentists and Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeons
When we are talking about wisdom teeth extraction, you can expect to hear about two types of dental professionals: general dentists and oral or maxillofacial surgeons. Understanding the difference between these two can help you feel more at ease about who will be taking care of your smile.
General Dentists
You visit general dentists for your regular checkups, dental cleanings, or other common dental care procedures such as dental fillings or dental crowns. A general dentist has extensive knowledge of dental care. Therefore, you can visit them for most of your dental needs. Regarding wisdom tooth extractions, they can perform the procedure if the case is straightforward and does not need special surgical skills.
Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeons
Oral surgeons are the experts for any surgery that involves your mouth and jaw. They’ve had extra years of training to become experts in surgical procedures. These procedures can include wisdom teeth removal, especially those that are complicated, like when the teeth are impacted or when there is a high risk of damaging nerves or other structures in your mouth. Oral surgeons are more skilled in handling complex situations and can make sure the procedure goes smoothly.
How to Know Who You’ll Be Referred to
So, how do you know if you’ll be seeing your general dentist or an oral surgeon for your wisdom teeth removal? It starts with an assessment during your dentist’s visit. Your dentist will usually ask for a dental X-ray to assess your wisdom tooth’s situation carefully. If your wisdom teeth are fully erupted and there are no serious concerns, your general dentist will remove your wisdom teeth in their office. However, if your dentist decides that your case might be more complicated—for example, if your teeth are impacted or there’s a chance of complications—they will refer you to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon.
What Happens Before Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Let us walk you through what happens before your wisdom tooth extraction at our dental clinic:
Everything begins with a consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon to ask any questions and discuss any concerns. They will often ask for an X-ray to examine your wisdom teeth closely and determine the best course of action.
The next step involves discussing the type of anaesthesia and possibly sedation options that you may need. Our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible, so whether it’s local anaesthesia to numb the area, sedation to help you relax, or general anaesthesia, we’ll find the right option for you.
Your dentist will instruct you on how to prepare for the day of the procedure and whether you need to avoid eating and drinking if sedation is involved. If your dentist or oral surgeon decides that you need sedation or general anaesthesia for your wisdom tooth extraction, you will need to arrange for someone to take you home after the treatment.
Will I Receive Sedation for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Some people may need sedation dentistry for their wisdom tooth removal in addition to a local anaesthetic due to severe anxiety or the complexity of the procedure. Dental sedation ensures patients are comfortable and pain-free for the entire duration of the procedure.
Will the Oral Surgeon Administer Dental Sedation?
If your procedure requires general anaesthesia, an experienced anaesthesiologist will administer it to ensure safety and efficiency. After you receive a general anaesthetic, you’ll be completely asleep and pain-free during the procedure. Our dedicated team, including the anaesthesiologist, focuses on your safety and comfort and ensures you have a smooth and worry-free experience.
Check out our detailed guide on wisdom teeth removal in Perth for additional information.
Ease Your Mind: Our Approach to Gentle Wisdom Teeth Removal
Experience the gentle touch of wisdom teeth removal with Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic. Our clinic is dedicated to providing a comfortable experience, using the latest technology and techniques to ensure your procedure is as smooth as possible. We invite you to schedule a consultation with us by calling (08) 9474 5083 for personalised care and advice, where your comfort and health are our top priorities. Furthermore, we are proud to be a HBF preferred provider, HCF preferred provider, Bupa preferred provider, NIB preferred provider, and Medibank preferred provider dentist in Perth. Trust in our patient-focused approach for a stress-free dental journey.