Oral Surgery in Blackrock, South Dublin
Gentle Surgical Care When You Need It Most
While modern dentistry has made remarkable advances in preserving natural teeth, there are times when oral surgery becomes the best path forward for your dental health. Thanks to better dental care and prevention, extractions are far less common than they once were. However, when surgical intervention is necessary, having an experienced specialist team makes all the difference.
At Seapoint Clinic, our oral surgery specialists combine extensive expertise with state-of-the-art technology to provide precise, gentle care that puts your comfort first. Led by Dr Vaidas Varinauskas PhD, our surgical team specializes in both routine and complex procedures, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care in a relaxing environment.
Symptoms of a Problematic Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, can cause significant discomfort when they begin to emerge or become impacted.
While not everyone experiences problems with their wisdom teeth, it’s important to recognise the warning signs that might indicate the need for removal. Here are the common symptoms that suggest your wisdom tooth may be causing issues:
- Aching at the back of the mouth
- Swelling of the gum
- Difficulty chewing
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in your mouth
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the third and last molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. They also happen to be the final teeth to erupt, meaning they don’t usually appear until your late teenage years or into your early twenties.
The majority of adults have four wisdom teeth, on in each of the four quadrants, but in some cases it is possible to have fewer or more, which are often dubbed ‘supernumerary teeth’. Wisdom teeth can affect other teeth as they continue to develop.
In some cases, wisdom teeth may only partially emerge or come in crooked, meaning they can cause severe discomfort and potentially lead to disease. Wisdom teeth that come in before they age of twenty will have fewer complications due to having less developed roots.
This is why we recommended those between the age of sixteen and nineteen have their teeth evaluated to consider having them remove before further complications can arise.
Why Are They Removed?
When a wisdom tooth is impacted and tries to erupt into the mouth, the flap of the gum on top of it may become infected and swollen, leading to severe discomfort throughout your teeth and face.
This condition can result in an infection known as pericoronitis, which if left untreated, can often require a hospital stay and surgery.
An impacted wisdom tooth can become cavitated and potentially push against the neighbouring molar, leading to tooth movement, decay and gum disease. In some cases, your wisdom teeth may cause your gums to feel tender, but this is quite normal and often doesn’t require having them removed.
How Are They Removed?
The removal of upper wisdom teeth are reasonably straightforward and can take be completed within a short appointment.
Many lower wisdom teeth cannot be removed in a similar way to other teeth. When they are stuck beneath the gum, be it partially or completely, which means they can be lying at an angle to the neighbouring tooth. This will require a minor procedure to have these removed, which can be done under sedation if necessary.
Oral Surgery FAQs
Why should I have my wisdom tooth removed?
An impacted wisdom tooth can become cavitated and potentially push against the neighbouring molar, leading to tooth movement, decay and gum disease. In some cases, your wisdom teeth may cause your gums to feel tender, but this is quite normal and often doesn’t require having them removed.
To find out the best possible treatment for you, we recommend making an appointment with your dentist, who will be happy to advise you on the best course of action to take.
You can rest assured that you will be guided throughout your entire treatment by our team of caring patient coordinators, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about your stay with us.
In some cases, your treatment may be partially or fully covered by insurance and our customer service executive team can help assist you in filling out any forms necessary to claim towards treatment costs, meaning you will not require a referral or be stuck on a long waiting list to get the procedure performed.
How long does wisdom tooth removal take?
A typical wisdom tooth extraction takes between 30-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case. For straightforward extractions, the procedure can be even shorter, while more complex cases involving impacted teeth may take longer.
Will I feel pain during the procedure?
No. We use effective local anaesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. For nervous patients or complex cases, we also offer sedation options to help you feel completely relaxed throughout the treatment.
Is Sedation Available?
Both a local anaesthetic and IV sedation are available to patients, with your dentist deciding the ideal sedation based on your medical history and preference. Once you have been sedated, you should feel little to no discomfort during the procedure. Some discomfort may occur in the following days of your treatment as the gum begins to heal, however you can take painkillers to help alleviate any discomfort.
How long is the recovery period after oral surgery?
Most patients return to their normal activities within 3-4 days after surgery, though complete healing takes about 2 weeks. The initial discomfort typically peaks around day 2-3 and then gradually improves. We’ll provide detailed recovery guidelines specific to your procedure.
What about aftercare?
Following your treatment, we advise that you rest for a few hours. This can be done in clinic in our recovery suite, should you require it. It’s also paramount that you don’t rinse for at least 24 hours and avoid smoking post treatment.
In the following days after your treatment, rinse your mouth gently after meals and before bed using a mouthwash made up of a half teaspoon of salt and warm water. Hold the solution in your mouth for several minutes and spit, repeat this 2-3 times.
Avoid alcohol, hot drinks and hard or chewy foods. Instead, choose cool drinks along with soft or minced foods and avoid direct contact with the open wound.
Should bleeding occur, sit upright with your head and shoulders raised. Apply pressure using a small pad of gauze or clean linen clamped firmly between the jaws for 15 minutes. If the bleeding persists, be sure to contact your clinic immediately.
What type of anaesthetic will be used?
We typically use local anaesthetic for oral surgery procedures. However, we also offer sedation options for nervous patients or more complex cases. During your consultation, we’ll discuss the most appropriate option for your specific situation.
What should I eat after oral surgery?
For the first few days, stick to soft foods and liquids such as yoghurt, smoothies, soup, and mashed potatoes. Avoid hot foods and drinks while you’re still numb, and don’t use straws as the suction can dislodge blood clots. We’ll provide detailed dietary guidelines based on your specific procedure.
When can I brush my teeth after surgery?
You can brush your teeth the evening of your surgery, but avoid the surgical site. We’ll show you how to clean the area gently with warm salt water rinses starting the day after your procedure. Regular but careful brushing can resume after about a week.
What are the signs of infection after oral surgery?
While infections are rare, watch for symptoms such as increased swelling after 3 days, severe pain that isn’t relieved by prescribed medication, fever, or pus discharge. Contact us immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Will I need time off work?
Most patients take 2-3 days off work after wisdom tooth removal or similar procedures. For more complex surgeries, you might need longer. We can provide medical certificates if needed and will advise on the appropriate recovery time for your specific case.
How do I manage swelling after surgery?
Apply ice packs to your face for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, switch to warm compresses to help reduce swelling. Keep your head elevated, even while sleeping, for the first few nights.
What is the aftercare procedure for oral surgery?
Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or using straws for at least 72 hours after surgery. Don’t exercise vigorously or bend over for the first few days, and avoid touching the surgical site with your tongue or fingers.
In the following days after your treatment, rinse your mouth gently after meals and before bed using a mouthwash made up of a half teaspoon of salt and warm water. Hold the solution in your mouth for several minutes and spit, repeat this 2-3 times.
Avoid alcohol, hot drinks and hard or chewy foods. Instead, choose cool drinks along with soft or minced foods and avoid direct contact with the open wound.
Should bleeding occur, sit upright with your head and shoulders raised. Apply pressure using a small pad of gauze or clean linen clamped firmly between the jaws for 15 minutes. If the bleeding persists, be sure to contact your clinic immediately.
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