Wisdom teeth often need to be removed because they are impacted or cause problems with other teeth. Your dentist will examine each tooth and recommend the best course of action.
The procedure is usually carried out under a general anesthetic, which means you are put to sleep.
This puts you in a relaxed state so it’s easier to perform the operation.
Anesthesia
Anesthesia plays a critical role in the extraction of wisdom teeth, as it prevents any pain or discomfort from being felt during the procedure. There are several types of anesthesia available, including local, general, and conscious sedation.
A general anesthetic should be used in most cases, as it takes effect very quickly and will have you unconscious within a minute or so.
The anesthetist will then remain with you throughout the procedure to ensure that you remain unconscious and to provide medication to prevent pain when you wake up after the surgery.
Before the anesthetic is administered, the oral surgeon will ask you a series of questions about your medical history.
This includes any health problems you have and if you take drugs on a regular basis.
It is also important to let the anesthetist know if you have had any previous bad reactions to anesthesia or drugs in the past, as these can affect the level of sedation or complication that might occur during your surgery.
After you have been given anesthesia, the dentist or oral surgeon will make a cut in your gum to access your wisdom tooth.
The gum tissue and any bone covering the tooth are then removed, leaving the tooth ready for removal.
It can take 30-45 minutes to remove your wisdom teeth, depending on how complicated the procedure is. An experienced oral surgeon will be able to complete the removal of all four wisdom teeth in one surgical session.
Post-operatively, you may experience swelling and some bleeding around the extraction site. This is normal, and you can manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers or medication that your dentist or oral surgeon has prescribed.
Bruising is also common, and it typically subsides within a few days. If you notice any significant bruising or swelling, contact your doctor.
Most patients have a quick recovery from oral surgery, and you can usually return to work or school on the day of your procedure. However, if you have any major complications after the extraction, such as severe bleeding or infection, then you should seek care in the emergency room right away.
Surgery
Generally, the extraction of all 4 wisdom teeth takes about 45 minutes. However, it can be longer or shorter depending on the position of the tooth and how many teeth need to be removed at once.
Most people need their wisdom teeth removed when they’re causing problems like infection, pain, or damage to the surrounding teeth. The surgeon will assess your case and take dental X-rays to find out the location of your wisdom teeth.
The surgery will be carried out under anesthesia, so you’ll feel no pain or discomfort. During the procedure, your surgeon will numb the wisdom tooth and its surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic.
Next, the surgeon makes a cut in the bone covering the impacted tooth. Finally, the tooth is cut into small pieces and extracted through the opening in the bone.
Your dentist will tell you how to keep the extraction site clean and prevent bleeding after you leave the office. You can eat soft food, but avoid straws for a day after your surgery.
Once your wisdom tooth is out, you can resume your normal oral hygiene routine.
Rinse with warm salt water and brush your teeth to remove any leftover food debris and keep the area clean. You may also apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and bruising.
Keeping your mouth healthy after the removal of all four wisdom teeth is very important to prevent complications, such as nerve damage and infections.
Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups, cleanings, and examinations is the best way to avoid these complications.
Some oral health conditions can make your wisdom teeth more likely to erupt in the wrong place (impacted). They can cause gum disease, cavities, or even cysts on the teeth. These can be a serious threat to your teeth and jawbone.
If your wisdom teeth erupt in the wrong place, they can cause permanent damage to your other teeth and jawbone. They can also lead to crooked teeth and headaches.
Most often, the dentist recommends removing all of your wisdom teeth to improve your dental health. This is because impacted wisdom teeth can damage the adjacent teeth and bone, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Recovery
After wisdom tooth extraction surgery, the recovery process is slow and takes time.
This is because the extraction site needs to heal before it can be restored. It is also important to follow your oral surgeon’s instructions and care for the surgical site.
The first few days after surgery, blood clots will form over the surgical site to protect it and help it heal.
It’s very important not to drink straws, smoke, or brush the area during this time because these activities can cause the blood clots to dislodge. If this happens, it can lead to a painful condition called a dry socket.
As your recovery progresses, you will notice a gradual reduction in pain and swelling. You may still have some bruising and mild neck or jaw stiffness, but this should soon subside. Keep an eye on your recovery and take it easy, so you can get back to normal activities quickly.
Your doctor or dentist will provide you with detailed information on how to aid your healing.
This includes how to place gauze pads directly over the surgical site and bite down firmly to encourage healing. Replace these gauze pads every 60 minutes as needed.
You may also be given pain medication such as ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications to reduce discomfort and swelling. An ice pack applied directly to the area of removal can decrease the swelling as well.
After a day or two, the underlying wisdom teeth site should feel almost fully normal. It might still be tender and sensitive, but you can start eating most of your favorite foods.
You can also brush your teeth, as long as you are gentle and don’t press hard on the impacted tooth.
The underlying extraction site will begin to produce collagen–a natural material that helps to rebuild gum tissue and bone. In a matter of 4-6 months, new bone will build in the hole left behind by your wisdom tooth.
Your doctor or oral surgeon will also give you advice on how to prevent nausea and vomiting, which is common after wisdom tooth surgery.
This can happen because you were under sedation or took some kind of anesthesia. Nausea and vomiting can increase your risk of infection and slow your recovery.
To minimize these symptoms, make sure you drink plenty of water and consume food as you can tolerate it.
Post-Operative Care
Wisdom teeth removal surgery is a minor oral surgical procedure that requires anesthesia. Most patients undergo IV sedation, which helps them relax and sleep through the procedure. Once the sedation wears off, you can go home and rest for a while.
Once you are completely awake, your dentist will check the condition of your teeth and make sure that the extraction site is healing properly. They will also clean the area and provide you with an ice pack to help reduce swelling.
The recovery from wisdom tooth removal surgery can take 2 weeks or longer, depending on the number of teeth that were removed. The dentist will give you a prescription for pain medication that you can take to manage any discomfort.
Taking your medications as prescribed will minimize the risk of complications. You may need antibiotics if you develop an infection after your wisdom teeth removal.
If you are a smoker, you will need to stop smoking for the duration of your recovery. This will reduce the risk of developing a dry socket, a painful condition that occurs in 5-10% of wisdom tooth extractions.
Your dentist will also check the healing of your wound and may prescribe antibiotics if necessary. It is important to rinse your mouth with salt water every four hours to keep the wound clean and prevent infection.
Rinsing with a saltwater solution can also reduce inflammation in the wound and increase blood flow, which speeds up healing. You will be given a plastic irrigating syringe to use to rinse your lower wisdom teeth extraction site(s).
It is important to avoid eating hard foods for the first 3 days after your surgery, including gum, sticky sweets, crunchy snacks, and chips.
These foods can cause rubbing of the teeth against the surgery sites, which can cause pain and damage to healing.
After your surgery, you can eat soft foods and drink fluids such as milk, fruit juices, and yogurt. Avoid ice cream and other cold drinks, which can cause excessive swelling.
If you experience a fever or severe pain or bleeding after your operation, contact your dentist immediately. This can be caused by a bacterial infection.