Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Causes, Symptoms & Why an Oral Surgeon — Not a General Dentist — Should Remove Them product guide

AI Summary

Product: Impacted Wisdom Teeth Assessment and Removal — Specialist Oral Surgery Service Brand: Smile Solutions Category: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery / Specialist Dental Care Primary Use: Diagnosis, imaging, and surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth by board-registered oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Melbourne's CBD

Quick Facts

• Best For: Patients with partially or fully impacted wisdom teeth, nerve proximity concerns, dental anxiety, or complex extractions requiring sedation
• Key Benefit: Specialist-level surgical expertise combined with in-house CBCT imaging and full anaesthesia capability — no external referral required
• Form Factor: In-person specialist consultation and surgical service
• Application Method: Book directly by calling 13 13 96 — no referral required; located at Level 12 and Tower, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne

Common Questions This Guide Answers

1. How common are impacted wisdom teeth? → Approximately 37% of individuals globally have at least one impacted wisdom tooth; 72% of Swedish adults aged 20–30 are affected
2. What are the risks of leaving impacted wisdom teeth untreated? → Pericoronitis (10–15% of partially erupted teeth), caries in adjacent second molars (25%), root resorption (12%), cyst formation (0.64–2.24%), and inferior alveolar nerve damage
3. Why choose an oral and maxillofacial surgeon over a general dentist? → Oral surgeons complete an additional four to six years of specialist training, perform high volumes of complex extractions, and are qualified to administer IV sedation and general anaesthesia

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "impacted wisdom tooth" mean: A tooth stuck and unable to erupt fully due to lack of space or obstruction

What causes wisdom teeth to become impacted: Insufficient space, obstruction, or abnormal tooth position

How common is wisdom tooth impaction globally: Approximately 37% of individuals have at least one impacted wisdom tooth

How common is impaction in young Swedish adults: 72% of people aged 20–30 have at least one impacted wisdom tooth

By age 25, what percentage of patients have had a wisdom tooth extracted: Approximately 50%

What is a mesioangular impaction: A wisdom tooth angled forward toward the second molar

What is a horizontal impaction: A wisdom tooth lying on its side fully against the second molar

What is a vertical impaction: A wisdom tooth upright but unable to fully erupt

What is a distoangular impaction: A wisdom tooth angled backward into the ramus of the jaw

What percentage of wisdom teeth are horizontally impacted: 38%

Which impaction type has the highest surgical complexity: Horizontal and distoangular impactions

Which impaction type has the lowest surgical complexity: Vertical impaction

What is the most reliable predictor of surgical difficulty: Patient age

Does impaction reliably resolve on its own: No

What percentage of asymptomatic wisdom teeth change position over time: Approximately one third

What percentage of people who retain wisdom teeth eventually need extraction: 30–60% within 4–12 years

What is pericoronitis: An acute localised infection of tissue surrounding an impacted wisdom tooth

What percentage of partially erupted wisdom teeth develop pericoronitis: 10–15%

What are common symptoms of pericoronitis: Pain, swelling, halitosis, and trismus

Can antibiotics permanently resolve pericoronitis: No, recurrent episodes are common

What is the most common treatment for recurrent pericoronitis: Wisdom tooth removal

What percentage of impacted wisdom teeth cause caries in adjacent second molars: 25%

What percentage of impacted wisdom teeth cause root resorption of adjacent teeth: 12%

Can impacted wisdom teeth cause tooth crowding: Yes

What is the prevalence of cysts associated with impacted wisdom teeth: 0.64% to 2.24%

What can a dental cyst damage if left untreated: Jawbone, adjacent teeth, and nerves

What nerve runs near lower wisdom teeth: The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN)

What other nerve is at risk during lower wisdom tooth removal: The lingual nerve

What sensations do the IAN and lingual nerve control: Sensation to the tongue, lower lip, and chin

How often does temporary IAN damage occur: In approximately 1 in 85 patients

How often does permanent IAN damage occur: In approximately 1 in 300 extractions

What increases the risk of IAN damage: Nerve proximity, impaction depth, surgical technique, and surgeon experience

Can a standard 2D X-ray adequately assess IAN proximity: No, it is insufficient for complex cases

What imaging is recommended for complex impaction cases: CBCT (cone beam computed tomography)

What does CBCT imaging provide that 2D X-rays cannot: Three-dimensional detail of roots, bone, and nerve proximity

Does CBCT imaging change surgical planning in some cases: Yes, in a meaningful proportion of IAN-proximity cases

Where is Smile Solutions' CBCT capability located: In-house at their Melbourne CBD practice

Can upper wisdom teeth affect the sinuses: Yes

What sinus complication can occur with upper wisdom tooth removal: Oro-antral communication (opening between mouth and sinus)

Do oro-antral communications always require treatment: No, they typically heal on their own

What age is ideal for wisdom tooth extraction: Before 24 years of age

Why is earlier extraction recommended: Roots are less developed and bone is less dense

Does delayed extraction increase complication risk: Yes

What complication risk increases with patient age: Inferior alveolar nerve damage and sinus complications

How many additional years of training does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon complete: Four to six years beyond dental school

What does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon's additional training cover: Surgical procedures, general anaesthesia, and oral and facial conditions

What dual degrees do Australian oral and maxillofacial surgeons hold: Both a dental degree and a medical degree

What fellowship do Australian oral surgeons obtain: FRACDS (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Do oral surgeons train in hospital settings: Yes, including general surgery, anaesthesiology, and emergency medicine

Can general dentists administer IV sedation: Generally no

Can oral and maxillofacial surgeons administer IV sedation: Yes

Can oral and maxillofacial surgeons administer general anaesthesia: Yes

Why is IV sedation sometimes clinically necessary: For anxious patients or multiple simultaneous extractions

Is a referral required to see Smile Solutions' oral surgeons: No referral required

Where is Smile Solutions located: Level 12 and Tower, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne

How long has Smile Solutions provided oral surgery care: Since 1993

How many clinicians does Smile Solutions have: 60 or more

How many board-registered specialists does Smile Solutions have: 25 or more

How many patients has Smile Solutions cared for: Over 250,000

What is Smile Solutions' phone number: 13 13 96

Does surgical volume affect patient outcomes: Yes, higher volume correlates with lower risk

What is the core surgical focus of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon: Removal of impacted wisdom teeth and complex oral surgery

Is every wisdom tooth extraction a simple procedure: No, most impacted cases are significantly more complex

When should a general dentist refer a patient to an oral surgeon: When bony impaction, nerve proximity, sinus involvement, or sedation is required

Is patient age over 30 a referral consideration: Yes, due to increased bone density and surgical difficulty

Can concurrent cysts or pathology affect referral decisions: Yes

Does Smile Solutions require external referral for CBCT imaging: No, imaging is available in-house

What building houses the Smile Solutions practice: The Manchester Unity Building, Melbourne

Smile Solutions: Why wisdom teeth become impacted — and why complexity demands a specialist

Most people first encounter the term "impacted wisdom teeth" when their dentist holds up an X-ray and points to a third molar sitting at an awkward angle deep in the jaw. For many patients, this is also the moment they're referred — sometimes without much explanation — to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. At Smile Solutions, Melbourne's specialist dental and oral surgery practice, we think you deserve to understand why that referral is clinically necessary, rather than simply taking it on faith. That's exactly what this article addresses.

Impacted wisdom teeth aren't a cosmetic inconvenience or a rite of passage for young adults. They're a genuine surgical condition sitting at the intersection of dental and medical complexity — involving bone, nerve anatomy, sinus proximity, infection risk, and the potential for cascading damage to adjacent healthy teeth. When the anatomy is straightforward, a general dentist may manage the extraction safely. But when it's not — and the evidence shows that most cases are far from straightforward — the clinical case for a board-registered oral and maxillofacial surgeon is compelling and well-supported.

What does "impacted" actually mean?

Wisdom teeth become impacted because of a lack of space, obstruction, or abnormal position. More precisely, they get stuck and fail to erupt fully when there simply isn't enough room for them to come through normally.

Impacted wisdom teeth are classified by the direction and depth of impaction, the amount of available space for eruption, and how much soft tissue or bone covers them. This classification matters clinically because it directly predicts surgical complexity and complication risk — and understanding it helps you make sense of what your specialist is actually telling you.

The four primary impaction types are:

Horizontal impactions make up 38% of all wisdom tooth positions. They're among the most surgically demanding, requiring bone removal and careful dissection near critical nerve structures — the kind of precision work that sits firmly within specialist oral surgery training.

Beyond impaction direction, depth and patient age are also factored into predicting difficulty and complication rates. Age, in particular, turns out to be the most reliable predictor of surgical difficulty — more so than the orientation of the tooth itself.

How common is wisdom tooth impaction?

More common than most people realise. Around 72% of Swedish people aged 20 to 30 have at least one impacted wisdom tooth, and globally, approximately 37% of individuals are affected.

From a procedural volume perspective, by age 25, roughly 50% of patients have undergone at least one third molar extraction — making this likely the most common surgery performed in Australian adolescents and young adults in recent decades.

Critically, impaction doesn't reliably resolve on its own. Evidence shows that about one third of asymptomatic, unerupted wisdom teeth will shift position over time, ending up partially erupted but non-functional or difficult to keep clean. Between 30% and 60% of people who initially retain their asymptomatic wisdom teeth go on to have one or more extracted within 4 to 12 years.

This trajectory from asymptomatic to symptomatic is precisely why early specialist assessment matters. If you've been told your wisdom teeth are "fine for now," that's worth revisiting with a specialist who can give you a complete picture.

The spectrum of complications: what happens when impacted wisdom teeth are left untreated

The complications associated with untreated impacted wisdom teeth range from uncomfortable to genuinely serious. Understanding this spectrum is essential when you're weighing the decision to act or wait.

Pericoronitis: the most common acute complication

Pericoronitis is an acute localised infection of the tissue surrounding an impacted wisdom tooth. The tissue appears red, tender, and swollen. Symptoms include pain ranging from dull to intense, often radiating to the ear or floor of the mouth, along with swelling of the cheek, bad breath, and difficulty opening the mouth.

It affects 10–15% of partially erupted wisdom teeth. Antibiotics and local debridement can provide temporary relief, but they tend to fail over time — most patients develop recurrent symptoms, and the most common resolution is wisdom tooth removal.

If you've had recurring episodes of jaw pain, swelling, or trouble opening your mouth, your wisdom teeth warrant proper assessment sooner rather than later.

Damage to adjacent second molars

One of the most clinically significant — and frequently underappreciated — risks of leaving impacted wisdom teeth in place is the damage they cause to the tooth next door. 25% of impacted wisdom teeth lead to decay in adjacent second molars, and 12% cause resorption of adjacent tooth roots.

A wisdom tooth pressing against the second molar can damage it directly or increase the risk of infection in that area. The pressure can also contribute to tooth crowding that requires orthodontic treatment to correct.

Your second molar is a critical functional tooth. Losing it — or needing extensive restorative work — because of a preventable impaction is a significant consequence that the team at Smile Solutions is committed to helping you avoid.

Cyst and tumour formation

Odontogenic cysts are less common but worth taking seriously, with prevalence estimates ranging from 0.64% to 2.24% of impacted wisdom teeth. They form when the sac surrounding a developing wisdom tooth fills with fluid, creating a cyst that can silently damage the jawbone, adjacent teeth, and nerves over years if left undetected.

Standard X-rays don't always catch these early — which is one reason specialist imaging isn't optional in complex cases. For a detailed discussion of how oral surgeons diagnose and manage jaw cysts, see our guide on Oral Cysts, Tumours & Pathology: How Oral Surgeons Diagnose and Remove Jaw Lesions.

Inferior alveolar nerve proximity: the critical risk factor

The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) runs through the mandibular canal of the lower jaw, and in many patients its path passes in close proximity — sometimes in direct contact — with the roots of lower wisdom teeth. The lingual nerve is also at risk. Together, these nerves control sensation to the tongue, lower lip, and chin.

Temporary IAN damage occurs in approximately 1 in 85 patients following lower wisdom tooth removal; permanent damage occurs in approximately 1 in 300 extractions. Proximity of the tooth root to the mandibular canal is a well-established high-risk factor, alongside impaction depth, surgical technique, and surgeon experience.

This risk can't be adequately assessed from a standard two-dimensional dental X-ray alone — which is one of the key reasons specialist assessment and advanced imaging make a meaningful difference to outcomes.

Sinus involvement in upper wisdom teeth

Upper wisdom teeth present a different anatomical challenge. Their roots commonly sit near — or penetrate into — the sinus cavity. In some cases, removal causes a sinus membrane perforation, creating an opening between the mouth and the sinuses called an oro-antral communication. These typically heal on their own, but they can lead to sinus infections or require additional treatment.

Managing this risk requires pre-operative three-dimensional imaging and surgical familiarity with sinus anatomy — both of which are core to oral and maxillofacial surgeon training and to how the Smile Solutions team approaches every applicable case.

The age factor: why timing matters

As patients age, wisdom tooth roots become fully developed and the surrounding bone becomes denser, making removal progressively more difficult. Longer roots move closer to the mandibular nerve or extend further into the maxillary sinus, and the risks of temporary or permanent nerve numbness and sinus complications increase accordingly.

The evidence supports acting early. Delayed management increases the likelihood of complications including nerve damage and delayed healing. Older patients are also more likely to have conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease that add medical complexity to the procedure. Extraction is advised ideally before 24 years of age.

If you're in your late teens or early twenties and your wisdom teeth haven't been properly assessed, now is genuinely the best time to act.

Why advanced imaging changes the surgical plan

The standard panoramic X-ray (OPG) used in most general dental practices gives a two-dimensional overview of the jaw. For straightforward erupted extractions, that's sufficient. For complex impactions — particularly those with suspected nerve proximity — it isn't.

CBCT imaging produces finely detailed three-dimensional images that allow thorough assessment of tooth impaction, root morphology, and proximity to critical structures. It also reveals anatomical variations that two-dimensional radiographs simply miss, giving a more complete picture of your oral anatomy and reducing the possibility of surprises during surgery.

A prospective study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Aravindaksha et al., 2015) found that CBCT imaging changed the planned surgical approach in a meaningful proportion of cases where IAN proximity had been identified on panoramic X-ray — demonstrating that the 2D view was insufficient to safely plan surgery in those cases.

With CBCT, surgeons can assess bone density, nerve positioning, and sinus proximity before making a single incision. Smile Solutions has this capability in-house at their Melbourne CBD practice, so complex cases can be fully assessed and planned without sending patients elsewhere for imaging. That means a more streamlined experience from your first appointment.

The clinical case for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon

Training depth: years of surgical immersion

The difference between a general dentist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon isn't just a matter of degree — it's a matter of fundamental scope.

A general dentist completes four years of dental school, which covers diagnosing and treating a wide range of oral health issues, including simple extractions and routine procedures. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon completes an additional four to six years of training beyond dental school in surgical procedures, general anaesthesia, and the treatment of diseases and conditions of the mouth, jaw, and face.

In Australia, the pathway is even more rigorous. It requires both a dental degree and a medical degree, followed by a hospital-based surgical residency, culminating in Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This dual-degree model means Smile Solutions' surgeons are trained to manage not only the surgical procedure but also the medical complexity of the patient — including systemic conditions, drug interactions, and emergency management. For a full breakdown of this training pathway, see our guide on What Is Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery? Scope, Training & Specialist Qualifications Explained.

During their hospital residency, oral surgeons train alongside medical residents in general surgery, internal medicine, plastic surgery, emergency medicine, and anaesthesiology. This immersion in a hospital setting equips them to manage complex medical histories, facial trauma, and advanced sedation — giving patients the confidence that comes from genuinely comprehensive clinical preparation.

Volume and expertise: repetition matters in surgery

Most wisdom tooth extractions are not simple procedures. Most patients have impacted teeth or other issues that make the procedure significantly more complex. Oral surgeons are trained specifically in complicated extractions and remove thousands of wisdom teeth during their residencies and every year thereafter.

As Dr. Bryce Williams of the University of Utah Health put it: "As a general dentist's bread and butter is fillings and crowns, an oral surgeon's core is the removal of wisdom teeth."

Volume matters in surgery. The surgeon who has performed thousands of impacted extractions — including high-difficulty horizontal and deeply bony impactions — carries a fundamentally different risk profile than one for whom the procedure is occasional. Smile Solutions' oral and maxillofacial surgeons bring exactly this depth of experience to every case.

Anaesthesia options: beyond local anaesthetic

General dentists can perform simple extractions, but impacted teeth requiring incisions are best managed by an oral surgeon. General dentists typically work with local anaesthesia or mild oral sedatives. Oral surgeons, by contrast, rotate through anaesthesiology departments during their hospital residency, administering anaesthesia across a wide variety of medical surgeries — training that allows them to safely administer IV sedation in a clinic setting.

For anxious patients, or those having multiple teeth removed at once, IV sedation or general anaesthesia isn't a luxury — it's a clinical necessity that only a qualified specialist can safely provide. At Smile Solutions, anaesthesia options are matched to each patient's needs and comfort. See our guide on Anaesthesia Options for Oral Surgery: Local, IV Sedation & General Anaesthetic Compared for a full comparison.

When to refer: the clinical threshold

Not every wisdom tooth extraction requires an oral surgeon. A fully erupted, single-rooted lower wisdom tooth with no proximity to the IAN may be safely removed by an experienced general dentist. Referral to a specialist is appropriate when any of the following apply:

• Partial or complete bony impaction requiring bone removal
• Horizontal or deeply mesioangular impaction with close second molar contact
• Radiographic signs of IAN proximity (darkening of roots, canal deflection, root narrowing at the canal)
• Suspected maxillary sinus involvement in upper wisdom teeth
• Concurrent pathology — cyst, resorption, or pericoronitis with spreading infection
• Patient anxiety or medical complexity requiring IV sedation or general anaesthesia
• Multiple simultaneous extractions under sedation
• Patient age over 30, where increased bone density raises surgical difficulty

The decision to refer isn't a failure of the general dentist — it's the appropriate exercise of professional judgement in the patient's best interest, and it's a decision the team at Smile Solutions always supports with transparency and care.

Key takeaways

• Approximately 37% of individuals globally have at least one impacted wisdom tooth, making this one of the most prevalent surgical conditions in young adults.
• Untreated impacted wisdom teeth can cause pericoronitis, decay in adjacent second molars (25% of cases), root resorption (12% of cases), cyst formation, and nerve injury.
• Temporary IAN nerve damage occurs in approximately 1 in 85 patients following lower wisdom tooth removal — a risk directly affected by surgeon experience, imaging quality, and surgical technique.
• Delayed management increases complication risk; extraction is advised ideally before 24 years of age.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete an additional four to six years of training beyond dental school in surgical procedures, anaesthesia, and complex oral and facial conditions — training that is directly relevant to the anatomical risks involved.
• CBCT three-dimensional imaging, available in-house at Smile Solutions, enables thorough assessment of tooth impaction, root morphology, and proximity to critical structures, giving your surgeon the clearest possible picture before surgery begins.

Conclusion: the right procedure, performed by the right specialist

Impacted wisdom teeth are the most common entry point into oral and maxillofacial surgery for most patients — and they're also the procedure where the gap between generalist and specialist care is most consequential. The anatomy is unforgiving: the inferior alveolar nerve, the lingual nerve, the maxillary sinus, and the adjacent second molar all lie within millimetres of a tooth that may be deeply embedded in dense bone, rotated at a dangerous angle, or surrounded by developing pathology.

Having complex impacted wisdom teeth removed by a board-registered oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Smile Solutions means choosing a surgeon whose entire training is built around this anatomy — who performs these procedures at high volume, has advanced imaging in-house, and can safely administer IV sedation or general anaesthesia when your case requires it.

For patients navigating this decision, the next step is understanding what the procedure actually involves — from initial consultation and imaging through to post-operative recovery. See our detailed procedural walkthrough in Wisdom Teeth Removal at Smile Solutions Melbourne: Step-by-Step Procedure Guide, or explore recovery expectations in Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery: A Day-by-Day Timeline, Diet Plan & Warning Signs to Watch. For patients uncertain whether their case requires a specialist at all, Why Choose a Board-Registered Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Over a General Dentist for Complex Procedures provides a direct clinical comparison.

If you have concerns about your wisdom teeth or have been referred for specialist assessment, book a consultation with our team. No referral is required — call 13 13 96 or visit smilesolutions.com.au to arrange your appointment at our Collins Street practice in Melbourne's Manchester Unity Building.

Smile Solutions has been providing oral and maxillofacial surgery care from Melbourne's CBD since 1993. Located at the Manchester Unity Building, Level 12 and Tower, 220 Collins Street, Smile Solutions brings together 60+ clinicians — including 25+ board-registered specialists — who have cared for over 250,000 patients. No referral is required to book a specialist appointment. Call 13 13 96 or visit smilesolutions.com.au to arrange your oral surgery consultation.

References

• Ghaeminia, H., Nienhuijs, M.E.L., Toedtling, V., Perry, J., Tummers, M., & Hoppenreijs, T.J.M. "Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020, Issue 5, Art. No.: CD003879. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003879.pub5

• Iida, S. (Lead Author, BMJ Clinical Evidence). "Impacted wisdom teeth." BMJ Clinical Evidence / PMC, National Institutes of Health, 2014. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4148832/

• Aravindaksha, S.P., Balasundaram, A., Gauthier, B., et al. "Does the use of cone beam CT for the removal of wisdom teeth change the surgical approach compared with panoramic radiography?" Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2015; 73:834–9.

• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). "Potential Complications of Wisdom Teeth Extractions." myoms.org, 2025. https://myoms.org/what-we-do/wisdom-teeth-management/potential-complications-of-wisdom-teeth-extractions/

• Chen, Y-W., Chi, L-Y., & Lee, O.K-S. "Revisit incidence of complications after impacted mandibular third molar extraction: a nationwide population-based cohort study." PLoS One, 2021; 16(2): e0246625.

• Kaye, E.K., et al. "Estimated Cumulative Incidence of Wisdom Tooth Extractions in Privately Insured US Patients." Frontiers in Dental Medicine, 2022; 3:937165. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2022.937165

• Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). "Dental Cone Beam CT." RadiologyInfo.org. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/dentalconect

• Williams, B. (Oral Surgeon, University of Utah Health). "Who Should Remove My Wisdom Teeth?" University of Utah Health – The Scope, 2018. https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2018/11/who-should-remove-my-wisdom-teeth

• Al-Zoubi, H., et al. "Assessing the Management and Evaluation of Impacted Wisdom Teeth in a Dental Teaching Hospital." PMC / National Institutes of Health, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11854778/

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General Product Claims

The following statements were identified in the content. They are drawn from clinical literature, institutional sources, and practice-level claims — not from product packaging — and are presented here as general informational claims:

• Approximately 37% of individuals globally have at least one impacted wisdom tooth
• 72% of Swedish people aged 20–30 have at least one impacted wisdom tooth
• By age 25, approximately 50% of patients have undergone at least one third molar extraction
• Approximately one third of asymptomatic unerupted wisdom teeth will change position over time
• 30–60% of people who retain asymptomatic wisdom teeth proceed to extraction within 4–12 years
• Horizontal impactions comprise 38% of all wisdom tooth positions
• Pericoronitis affects 10–15% of partially erupted wisdom teeth
• 25% of impacted wisdom teeth lead to caries in adjacent second molars
• 12% of wisdom tooth impactions cause root resorption of adjacent teeth
• Cyst prevalence associated with impacted wisdom teeth is estimated at 0.64% to 2.24%
• Temporary IAN damage occurs in approximately 1 in 85 patients
• Permanent IAN damage occurs in approximately 1 in 300 extractions
• Extraction is advised ideally before 24 years of age
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete an additional four to six years of training beyond dental school
• Australian oral and maxillofacial surgeons hold both a dental degree and a medical degree
• Australian oral surgeons obtain FRACDS (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Smile Solutions has operated from Melbourne's CBD since 1993
• Smile Solutions is located at Level 12 and Tower, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne (Manchester Unity Building)
• Smile Solutions has 60+ clinicians, including 25+ board-registered specialists
• Smile Solutions has cared for over 250,000 patients
• Smile Solutions has in-house CBCT imaging capability
• No referral is required to book a specialist appointment at Smile Solutions
• Smile Solutions' contact number is 13 13 96