At your consult, we will given you a handout on general information concerning some of the risks of removing teeth. These risks are not complete list but given you some general information on the obvious short term experiences and long term implications of removing teeth. These risks are not outlined for the purposes of alarming you but for you to understand.

Before deciding to have teeth removed, you need to understand that this is a surgical procedure* that may involve lifting of the gum and removing bone, subdivision of teeth into sections and sometimes leaving portions of tooth in the jaw. Often after the procedure is finished sutures are placed to hold the gum in place. These may need later removal or will dissolve with time.

Surgical procedures carry common risks such as pain, swelling and discomfort including limited jaw opening and bruising.

COMPLICATIONS

1. ALTERED OR ABSENCE OF SENSATION

Teeth may be close or touching nerves such as the inferior alveolar nerve or lingual nerve. Sometimes, on removing a tooth/teeth the nerve may be traumatised, bruised or impinged causing numbness, tingling, burning sensation and/or loss of feeling in teeth, gums, cheeks, lips, chin, tongue and around the upper or lower teeth. This may be temporary lasting several months, in some cases can be permanent.

2. NERVE DAMAGE CAUSING PAIN

This is a rare situation but an injured nerve may not heal properly despite the surgery being performed successfully and nerve pain may persist or recur. The exact reason is not fully understood and the pain can be difficult to treat.

3. FRAGMENTS

Removal of teeth may lead to bone and tooth root fragments being left in the gum/jaw. In a rare situation an upper tooth root fragment(s) may be dislodged into the sinus. If this occurs we will attempt to retrieve the fragment immediately. If this is not possible, you may need to undergo further treatment to retrieve the fragment. This may cause further discomfort and cost.

4. DRY SOCKET

After tooth removal, a blood clot forms as per usual healing. This blood clot may spontaneously disintegrate leading to exposure of gum and bone to saliva and bacteria. This can lead to dull throbbing pain and a bad smell. If this happens, call us for a review.

5. INFECTION

An infection can occur after tooth removal. Please let us know if you have any allergies to particular medications including antibiotics.

6. DIFFICULTY IN OPENING THE MOUTH

After removal, it is common to have some difficulty to opening your mouth and some bruising for few a days

7. EXCESSIVE BLEEDING

After surgery, If bleeding restarts or continues due to medications* you may be taking, use provided gauze packs and apply pressure for 30minutes with clean hands over the removal site. If bleeding continues, please call us.

*Medications: warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix, Iscover, Coplavix), prasugrel (Effient), dipyridamole (Persantin or Asasantin), ticagrelor (Brilinta), ticlopidine (Tilodene), apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or complementary/alternative medicines, such as fish oil or turmeric.

8. SORE LIPS

Teeth removal may require stretching of your lips to get access to your teeth. Sometimes, you may experience bruising, abrasions or sore spots on lips. These will usually heal within a week or two.

DAMAGE TO NEARBY TEETH or FILLINGS

Teeth removal may lead to adjacent teeth or fillings being chipped, loosened and/or fractured. Care will be taken to avoid such outcomes.

9. SINUS PROBLEMS

The roots of upper teeth may touch or perforate the floor of a sinus. On removal, a hole can be formed between the mouth and sinus. This can lead to infections and may require surgical closure. If under sedation, this usually will be attempted immediately to enable fast healing. The procedure may involve removing bone and placement of synthetic membranes to stabilise and encourage permanent closure of the defect or hole. However, despite best efforts this is not always successful and further surgery may be needed. This may involve further pain, swelling and discomfort.

10. BONE DYING

Jaw necrosis (the jaw bone dying) is a rare complication and more relevant risk for those taking medications (bisphosponates, Prolia) for osteoporosis or receiving radiation to the head and neck. Make sure you informs us of any bone medications or injections you may be getting for bone strengh or radiation treatment you have received in the past.

11. JAW WEAKNESS

Teeth removal, in particular wisdom teeth, can create temporary weakness of the jaw in the area of extraction and in rare situations can fracture during the procedure or shortly after.

We try our best to limit these risks as much as possible.

Remember, you always have the opportunity to see a specialist if concerned. 

If you decided to have tooth/teeth removed under sedation, the Hospital and Day Surgery will  have a further consent form to be filled. We will give you one at the consult (if relevant) to fill out at your leasure once you have had the chancee to read the information provided and had any questions answered.

The Anaesthetist and Day Surgery will ask for payment of their fees before the day of the procedure. These cost may vary depending on the time under sedation (sleep or twlight) and anesthetist any relevant hospital insurance policy. For general cost guides, see costs

A day before the procedure we need you to deposit with us funds for your wisdom teeth removal. We have a fee per wisdom tooth removal of $450. However, if you have extras health insurance you may receive a rebate. See costs

The day before your procedure. You will get a call from the Day Surgery to run through fasting protocol, time of operation and process of who is picking you up. 

A day to relax. We will see you before the procedure to do some final checks. The anaestheist will have a chat with you. Day surgery staff will take some blood pressure measurements and run you through the process and answer any of your questions. 

After the completion of your procedure,  make sure you have someone to pick you up after your discharge. We will arrange for you to have some take home instructions on how to clean the surgical sites. Most discomfort comes from swelling, so be prepared to have at home some cold packs to help reduce post operative swelling and pain.