Extractions and oral surgery in Bundaberg
Sometimes a tooth can't be saved, or a wisdom tooth is causing more trouble than it's worth. Dr Darryl Lock has a special interest in oral surgery, and our team carries out extractions and minor oral surgery in the practice under local anaesthetic, with sedation or specialist referral available for more complex cases.
We use 3D imaging to see the exact position of the roots and nearby nerves before we start, which makes the procedure more predictable and recovery smoother.
What we treat
- Wisdom tooth removal, including impacted teeth
- Simple and surgical extractions of teeth that are too decayed, broken or loose to save
- Extractions before dentures, with immediate dentures available
- Removal of retained roots and baby teeth that won't come out
- Minor gum and soft-tissue procedures, using our soft-tissue laser where suitable
What to expect
Assessment and imaging
Examination and a 3D scan where needed. We explain what's involved, the options, the risks and the cost.
The procedure
The area is fully numbed. You'll feel pressure but not pain. Many extractions take only a few minutes.
After-care
Written instructions, pain relief advice and a review if needed. We plan the replacement of the tooth with you if that's wanted.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Wisdom teeth: what's the problem?
Wisdom teeth (third molars) come through between about 17 and 25, and most jaws don't have room for them. They can come through crooked, partly through the gum, or stay trapped in the bone (impacted). Problems include recurring gum infection around a partly erupted tooth (pericoronitis), decay in the wisdom tooth or the tooth in front because it can't be cleaned, cysts, and crowding pressure. A 3D scan shows exactly where the tooth is sitting and how close it is to the nerve that runs through the lower jaw, which determines the safest way to remove it.
Sedation and comfort options
Most extractions are done comfortably under local anaesthetic. If you're very anxious, or several teeth need to come out, talk to us about options. Depending on your case that may mean a longer appointment with a calm approach, or referral to an oral surgeon for treatment under intravenous sedation or general anaesthetic in hospital.
Recovery day by day
Day one
Bite on gauze for 30 minutes. Rest, keep your head up, ice packs on the cheek 10 minutes on and off. No rinsing, spitting, straws, smoking or alcohol. Soft, cool food. Take pain relief before the numbness wears off.
Days two to three
Swelling peaks then starts to ease. Start gentle warm salt-water rinses after meals. Keep brushing the other teeth. Bruising on the cheek is normal after wisdom teeth.
Days four to seven
Pain should be steadily improving. If it's getting worse, especially with a bad taste or smell, you may have a dry socket. Call us, it's easily treated.
Week two
Most people are back to normal eating. Stitches, if used, dissolve or are removed. The socket takes a few months to fill in fully.
Replacing an extracted tooth
Unless it's a wisdom tooth, a missing tooth is usually worth replacing. Neighbouring teeth drift into the gap, the opposing tooth over-erupts, and chewing shifts to one side. Options are a bridge, a partial denture or an implant (provided at Coral Coast Dental). We'll discuss this before the extraction so the plan is in place.