Removing wisdom teeth is a routine dental operation aimed at pulling out one or more of the four wisdom teeth found at the rear of the mouth.

Wisdom teeth, also referred to as third molars, usually start to appear during late teenage years or early adulthood. However, they frequently lead to issues such as:

Impaction: Wisdom teeth might not have sufficient space to fully erupt or may not erupt at all, resulting in impaction where they get stuck under the gums.

Misalignment: They can develop in unusual positions, exerting pressure on neighboring teeth, which can lead to overcrowding or misalignment.

Infection: Wisdom teeth that are only partially visible can form a pocket of gum tissue that harbors food and bacteria, potentially causing infection or gum disease.

Decay: Due to their location at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are challenging to clean thoroughly, heightening the chance of developing cavities.

The Process

The extraction process is typically carried out by a dentist or oral surgeon, who may use local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, based on the complexity of the extraction and the patient’s comfort preferences.

The dentist will:

Anesthetize the Area: Local anesthesia is applied to numb the gums surrounding the tooth. If needed, sedation or general anesthesia might be administered.

Create an Opening: If the tooth is lodged, an opening is made in the gum to reach it.

Extract the Tooth: The tooth could be pulled out in one piece or broken into smaller fragments for simpler extraction.

Suture the Opening: The gum might be sutured to encourage healing, particularly if an opening was created.

Recovering: Patients usually face swelling, pain, and some bleeding following the procedure. It takes a few days to a week for complete recovery, with many individuals able to return to their regular activities within a few days.

Recovery Phase

Relief from Pain: Depending on the severity, you might require either non-prescription or doctor-approved pain relief.

Cold Therapy: Placing ice on the cheek’s exterior can assist in minimizing inflammation.

Soft Diet: Opting for tender foods and steering clear of straws can aid in avoiding issues such as dry socket.

Oral Hygiene: It’s essential to maintain oral cleanliness, yet it’s important to be cautious not to agitate the area where the tooth was removed.

Potential Dangers and Difficulties

Although the extraction of wisdom teeth is usually safe, there are possible dangers such as:

Infection

Excessive bleeding

A painful situation known as dry socket (this occurs when the blood clot at the site of extraction comes loose)

Damage to nerves (although uncommon, it may lead to numbness in the tongue, lip, or chin)

Should your wisdom teeth be causing issues or are at risk of causing them, your dentist might suggest having them taken out before any issues emerge.