Wisdom teeth extractions

Surgical Removal of Wisdom Teeth

Removal of wisdom teeth is the extraction of your third molars. These four teeth are the last teeth to develop at the back of your mouth, in each corner of your upper and lower jaws and can cause dental problems.

What is the removal of wisdom teeth?

The removal of wisdom teeth is just that. It is usually a quick procedure to remove a wisdom tooth that is causing dental problems.

It is typically, performed under a local anaesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. You can expect to feel some pressure just before your tooth is removed. This is your surgeon rocking your tooth back and forth to widen your tooth socket. They may make a small cut in your gum to uncover your tooth, and the tooth may need to be divided into smaller pieces before it is removed.

How should I prepare for wisdom teeth removal?

Before your wisdom tooth removal, you should consider your anaesthesia options. Most people have an injection of a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area. However, if you are anxious, your surgeon may give you a sedative injection to help you relax. General anaesthesia may be offered but it is rare to have this.

You will receive pre-procedure instructions that will guide you on questions such as “Do I need to avoid eating food or drinking fluids or both and if so, when?” and “can I take prescription and non-prescription medications before my surgery?

What is the reason for taking out wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop in your jaws and sometimes there isn't enough room in your mouth for them to grow properly. This means that wisdom teeth can emerge at an angle or get stuck and only partially emerge, known as impacted teeth.

Your wisdom teeth don’t need removing if they aren’t causing problems. But your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend wisdom teeth extraction as a preventative measure to help reduce the risk of future problems, such as infection.

Wisdom teeth removal may be recommended if other treatments haven’t worked for the following dental problems:

gum disease – irritated gums that are red, swollen and painful due to plaque-releasing toxins
pericoronitis – infected soft tissue that surrounds your wisdom tooth caused by plaque
tooth decay - in a partially erupted wisdom tooth
cellulitis – a cheek, tongue or throat bacterial infection
a cyst - a fluid-filled sac around a wisdom tooth that hasn’t cut through your gum
an abscess – a bacterial infection in your wisdom tooth or surrounding area that develops pus

A wisdom tooth may also need to be removed to make space for other teeth or to prevent damage to your cheek or gum.

What is the recovery process after removal of wisdom teeth?

It can take up to two weeks to recover from the removal of a wisdom tooth. During this time, you may have a swollen mouth and cheeks, some mild cheek bruising, and a stiff, painful and sore jaw and mouth. You can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

You should eat soft or liquid food for a few days and chew with your other teeth.

Don't drink alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot beverages or smoke in the first 24 hours. Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a few days.

You will probably take a day or two off work. You can drive immediately after the procedure if you had a local anaesthetic, after 24 hours if you had a sedative or a general anaesthetic.