Wisdom Teeth

Very often, because of the difficulty in accessing impacted wisdom teeth, a general anaesthetic will be recommended. Abbott Street Dental Group is the only dental practice in the Cairns district that has a dedicated general anaesthetic facility. With a highly qualified anaesthetic specialist visiting our rooms on a monthly basis we are able to offer affordable anaesthetics for yourself or your child.
No more expensive hospital or day surgery charges.
We can therefore offer the removal of wisdom teeth at a much cheaper rate than hospitals or day surgeries.

Dr David Curnock has extensive experience in the field of wisdom tooth removal, having completed more than five thousand (5000) cases over the past 30 years.

We can also offer you a same day consultation and will schedule your general anaesthetic surgery within a month. No more lengthy delays waiting for hospital availability.

X-ray examination
Your dentist needs to take x-ray films of your jaw. The films will help your dentist plan the best way to remove troublesome wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth (also called “third molars”) usually do not push through the gums until people are in their late teens, twenties, or even older. Wisdom teeth are usually the last teeth to come through the gums. Most people have four wisdom teeth. Some people have no wisdom teeth. Often there is little space at the rear of the jaws for wisdom teeth to come easily through the gums. If the jaw does not have enough room for the wisdom tooth to come through, the tooth will become wedged in or “impacted”.

Some impacted wisdom teeth remain buried and cause no trouble. However, other impacted wisdom teeth may cause severe problems. Often one or more wisdom teeth will cause problems and must be removed. If one or more of your wisdom teeth causes problems, your dentists may recommend that it be removed. Removal of a wisdom tooth is a very common procedure. Removal of troublesome wisdom teeth should usually be done as soon as possible before the problems get worse.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause the following problems.

General anaesthesia
For some people, the dentist may recommend “general anaesthesia”, that is, putting them to sleep with an injection. General anaesthesia is given by a specialist anaesthetist.
General anaesthesia may be used in people who:

• have wisdom teeth that may be a little more difficult to remove.
• do not want to remain awake during the surgery.
• have other problems with their wisdom teeth, gums or jaws.

Modern anaesthesia is safe with few risks. However, a few people may have serious reactions to them. If you have ever had a reaction to an anaesthetic drug, tell your dentist.