Surgical tooth removals
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Rustenburg
Painful or impacted wisdom tooth? Here is how the extraction works, how to look after your mouth afterwards, and when to contact us. Done in the chair, under conscious sedation, or in theatre for complex cases.
WhatsApp to bookCall 014 592 2784Why remove wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars at the back of the mouth. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Often there is not enough room for them, so they grow in at an angle or stay trapped under the gum. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth.
Signs that a wisdom tooth may need to come out:
- Pain or pressure at the back of the jaw
- Swollen, tender gum around a partly erupted tooth
- Food getting trapped, bad taste or bad breath
- Damage or decay in the tooth next to it
- Crowding of the other teeth
Not every wisdom tooth needs removal. Dr de Bruyn will take an X-ray and tell you honestly whether yours should come out.
The wisdom tooth removal process
Surgical tooth removals are one of our core services. Here is what to expect, step by step.
Consultation and X-ray
Dr de Bruyn examines your mouth and takes an X-ray to see the position of the tooth, its roots and the nerve nearby.
Your treatment plan
We explain the procedure, the cost and your medical aid cover, and decide whether it is done in the chair or in theatre.
Comfortable anaesthesia
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. Conscious sedation is available if you are anxious, and theatre for complex cases.
Removal
The tooth is gently removed. Some teeth are taken out in sections to protect the bone and surrounding teeth.
Stitches if needed
The area may be closed with a few dissolving stitches. You bite on gauze to help it settle.
Going home
You get written aftercare instructions. If you had sedation, someone must drive you home.
Aftercare: how to recover quickly
Most people feel much better within 3 to 5 days. Following these steps helps you heal well and avoid complications. Always follow any specific instructions Dr de Bruyn gives you.
First 24 hours
- Bite gently on the gauze for 30 to 60 minutes
- Rest and keep your head raised, also when sleeping
- Hold a cold pack on your cheek, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off
- Do not rinse, spit or use a straw
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol
- Take pain medication as prescribed
Days 2 to 3
- Gently rinse with warm salt water after meals
- Eat soft foods: yoghurt, soup (not hot), mashed potato, eggs
- Brush your other teeth normally, carefully around the area
- Some swelling and stiffness is normal and peaks around day 2 to 3
- Avoid exercise and heavy lifting
Days 4 to 7
- Slowly return to your normal diet
- Keep up the salt water rinses
- Avoid hard, crunchy or spicy food near the site
- Stitches usually dissolve on their own
- Come for your follow-up visit if one was booked
What is a dry socket?
After a tooth is removed, a protective clot forms in the socket. If it comes loose too early, the bone underneath is exposed. This is called a dry socket, and it causes a strong, throbbing pain, usually 2 to 4 days after the extraction.
The best way to prevent it: no smoking, no straws and no forceful rinsing or spitting in the first days. A dry socket is easy to treat, so contact us if you think you have one.
Contact us if you have
- Bleeding that does not slow down after 30 minutes of firm pressure on gauze
- Pain that gets worse after day 3 instead of better
- Swelling that increases after day 3
- Fever, or pus coming from the socket
- Numbness of the lip or tongue that lasts after the anaesthetic should have worn off
Difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency: go to the nearest hospital straight away.
WhatsApp 079 117 4096Frequently asked questions
Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?
The area is fully numbed, so you should feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. Conscious sedation is available if you are anxious. Afterwards, discomfort is managed with prescribed pain medication.
How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth removal?
Most people return to work or school within 2 to 3 days and feel much better within 3 to 5 days. Full healing of the socket takes a few weeks.
Can all four wisdom teeth be removed at once?
Often, yes. Depending on how difficult the teeth are, Dr de Bruyn may recommend removing them together under sedation or in theatre.
What can I eat after wisdom tooth removal?
Soft, lukewarm foods such as yoghurt, smoothies (with a spoon, not a straw), soup, mashed potato and scrambled eggs. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy and very hot food for the first week.
Does medical aid cover wisdom tooth removal?
Most medical aid schemes cover surgical removal of wisdom teeth, depending on your plan. We accept all major medical aids and offer favourable tariffs to cash patients.
When can I smoke after a tooth extraction?
Avoid smoking for at least 72 hours, and longer if you can. Smoking is one of the main causes of dry socket.
Book your appointment with Dr Hennie de Bruyn
WhatsApp us for the quickest reply, or call the practice. Medical aid and cash patients welcome.
WhatsApp 079 117 4096Call 014 592 2784