Wisdom Teeth Removal Sunshine Coast
Gentle Wisdom Teeth Removal at CJ Dentistry
If your back gums are sore, your jaw feels crowded, or a wisdom tooth is causing pain, get it checked early. At Currey & Jorgensen Dentistry in Alexandra Headland, our experienced dental team has been caring for Sunshine Coast families for decades. We thoroughly assess wisdom teeth, explain our findings in plain language, and perform wisdom tooth removal at our dental clinic.
Why Wisdom Teeth Often Cause Problems
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt, usually between 17 and 25. The jaw often doesn’t have room for them, so a wisdom tooth can come in at an angle, push against neighbouring teeth, or stay partly buried under the gum (impacted). Food and bacteria then collect around the gum flap, leading to infection, swelling, and ongoing pain.
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. If yours have come through completely and you can keep them clean, we’ll leave them alone. We often pick up on wisdom teeth issues during a routine check-up as part of our general dentistry services, so an assessment tells you which category you fall into before symptoms get worse.
Signs You May Need a Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Book a dental appointment if you notice any of these:
- Aching pain in the back of the jaw, especially when biting down.
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums around a wisdom tooth.
- Bad taste, bad breath, or pus near the back teeth.
- Difficulty opening your mouth or pain spreading to the ear.
- If you have significant pain or facial swelling, contact us straight away. Our emergency dental service prioritises urgent cases.
The Wisdom Teeth
Extraction Procedure
Your first visit is a consultation. We take a medical history, examine the area, and capture a panoramic x-ray (OPG) to see where each wisdom tooth sits and how the roots relate to nearby nerves. Your dentist then talks through the procedure, the likely recovery, and the cost of your dental treatment before you commit.
Straightforward wisdom tooth extraction is done in our Alexandra Headland dental clinic under local anaesthetic. The area is fully numbed, and the procedure is usually quick. For complex impacted cases, or if you’d rather be asleep, we offer twilight sedation at our clinic or can refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who performs the surgery in a hospital under general anaesthetic.
Healing and Aftercare
Most people feel back to normal within a week to ten days. The first 24 hours matter most: rest, keep your head elevated, use a cold pack on your cheek for swelling, and stick to soft foods like yoghurt, soup, and smoothies (no straws). Avoid smoking, alcohol, vigorous rinsing, and strenuous exercise for two to three days, as these can dislodge the blood clot and cause a painful dry socket.
From day two, gentle warm saltwater rinses help keep the area clean. Take any prescribed pain relief or antibiotics as directed, and call us if pain worsens after day three rather than improving. For the full details on what to do day by day, read our wisdom teeth after-care article.
Why Choose CJ Dentistry
Our principal dentist, Dr Peter Jorgensen, has practised dental care on the Sunshine Coast since 2000 and holds a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) from the University of Sydney. He’s joined by Dr Andrew Robinson, who holds a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) from the University of Sydney, a Master’s in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Surgery) from Griffith University and is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. Together, they handle most general wisdom teeth cases in our dental practice and refer onward when a specialist surgeon is the better choice.
We accept all major health funds with on-the-spot HICAPS claiming, and we’re a registered National Dental Plan provider for flexible payment options. We’ll talk you through likely out-of-pocket costs at the consultation, so there are no surprises with your dental treatment.
Visit Our Alexandra Headland Clinic
Address: 1/130 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, QLD 4572
Phone: (07) 5479 5522
Email: reception@cjdentistry.com.au
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Book your cosmetic dentistry consultation online or call our friendly team. We’ll talk through your goals and help you determine the right next step with a Dentist on the Sunshine Coast families have trusted for over two decades.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get my wisdom teeth removed?
No. If a wisdom tooth has come through in a good position and you can keep it clean, we’ll leave it alone. Removal is recommended when the tooth is impacted, decayed, causing pain, or damaging the tooth in front of it.
Is wisdom teeth removal painful?
Your dentist fully numbs the area before starting, so the procedure itself isn’t painful. You’ll feel pressure but not sharp pain. Mild discomfort and swelling for a few days are normal and managed with standard pain relief.
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost on the Sunshine Coast?
Cost depends on whether the extraction is simple or surgical and how many teeth are being removed. We give you a written quote at the consultation, with any health fund rebate claimed on the spot. For a general overview, see our article on the cost of wisdom tooth removal.
How do I choose the right dentist for wisdom teeth removal?
Look for a dental practice that takes proper X-rays, discusses the risks honestly, and is upfront about whether your case is suitable for in-chair treatment or better handled by an oral surgeon. A dentist who refers when needed is one putting your outcome first.
How long is the recovery after wisdom teeth removal?
Most patients return to work or school within 2 to 3 days after a simple extraction and within about a week after surgery for impacted teeth. Swelling usually peaks on day three and then eases.