May 12, 2026
Wisdom teeth removal — do you need surgery?
General Dentistry
Do your wisdom teeth need to come out? Learn the signs, what an assessment involves, recovery, and when a referral is needed — from Berala Dental, Sydney.
Do your wisdom teeth need to come out? Learn the signs, what an assessment involves, recovery, and when a referral is needed — from Berala Dental, Sydney.
By the Berala Dental clinical team. Educational information only — this article is general information and is not a substitute for personalised dental advice. Please book a consultation to discuss your individual needs.
Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed — if yours are healthy, fully through and easy to clean, they can often stay. Removal is usually considered when wisdom teeth are impacted, repeatedly painful or infected, hard to clean, or affecting nearby teeth. The only way to know for sure is an examination and an x-ray. Here's how to think it through.
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the last teeth to come through, usually in the late teens or early twenties. Some people have all four, some have fewer, and some never develop them at all. There's often not enough room at the back of the jaw for them, which is where problems can start.
If your wisdom teeth have come through fully, are in a good position, aren't causing trouble and you can clean them properly, removal often isn't necessary. We'll keep an eye on them at your check-ups rather than rushing to take them out.
Deciding whether a wisdom tooth should come out starts with an examination and an x-ray (often a panoramic OPG) to see the position of the tooth and its roots, and how close they are to nearby structures. From there we can explain clearly what we're seeing and what your options are.
Some wisdom teeth are straightforward to remove, while others — particularly impacted ones or those close to the nerve — are better handled by an oral surgeon. If that's the right path for you, we'll explain why and help arrange a referral, so you're not left to organise it on your own.
Recovery varies with how involved the removal is. Simple removals often settle quickly, while surgical removals may mean some swelling and a few days of taking it easy. You'll get clear aftercare instructions either way, including how to manage swelling and what to eat.
Costs vary widely depending on how the teeth are positioned and who carries out the treatment, so a figure online would be misleading. The only accurate price is one based on examining your mouth. Book a consultation for an itemised written quote, and check any rebate with your health fund. See our fees page.
No. Healthy, well-positioned wisdom teeth that you can clean properly often don't need removal. It's only recommended when they're causing or likely to cause problems.
An x-ray shows whether a wisdom tooth is impacted and how it's positioned. Symptoms like recurring pain or swelling at the back of the jaw can be a clue, but imaging confirms it.
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, with sedation options for more involved cases. Any after-effects are managed with aftercare we'll explain in detail.
There's no single right age — it depends on the individual tooth and any problems it's causing. Many issues show up in the late teens or twenties, which is when assessment is common.
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We review this article periodically so the information stays current for 2026.