Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery: Preparation, Procedure, Recovery

Getting wisdom teeth removed is a common dental surgical procedure. Whether you’re a first-time patient or have had the surgery before, it’s important to be well-prepared for what to expect. In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about wisdom tooth removal surgery so that you can be as comfortable and informed as possible.

What is a wisdom tooth, and how can you tell if one is on its way?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last four teeth to erupt in your mouth. These teeth are located at each corner of the jaw, two in the top jaw(maxilla), and two at the bottom jaw (mandible) This generally occurs between the ages of 17 and 25, a time of life that has been called the “Age of Wisdom”.

Another peculiar fact about wisdom teeth is that not necessarily all four of them will erupt at the same time.

Typically patients feel pain, swelling, headaches, and heightened discomfort at the back of the jaw. In some cases, patients also have gum infections when the wisdom tooth is coming in.

Hence, we advise patients to visit a dentist immediately when they see symptoms of a wisdom tooth coming in.

What is wisdom tooth removal surgery, and why might it be necessary?

Wisdom tooth removal surgery is a dental procedure in which one or more of the wisdom teeth are removed.

The most common reason to remove wisdom teeth is that they are impacted, meaning they are trapped beneath the gum tissue and cannot erupt properly.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause several problems, such as:

Growing at an angle toward the next tooth (second molar)
Growing at an angle toward the back of the mouth
Growing at a right angle to the other teeth, as if the wisdom tooth is “lying down” within the jawbone
Growing straight up or down like other teeth but stay trapped within the jawbone

Impacted teeth can also be painful and lead to dental infections. They may also crowd or damage adjacent teeth or roots. More serious problems may occur if the impacted tooth’s sac becomes filled with fluid and enlarges to form a cyst. As the cyst grows it may hollow out the jaw and permanently damage adjacent teeth, the surrounding bone, and nerves. Rarely, if a cyst is not treated, a tumor may develop from its walls and a more serious surgical procedure may be required to remove it.

Even if you don’t have any symptoms, your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth removal surgery to prevent future issues from developing.

How to prepare for wisdom tooth removal surgery beforehand?

As with any treatment, staying well-informed will assist you in getting the best possible results while also providing some much-needed peace of mind. Here are some recommendations that can help you prepare for surgery beforehand:

Ask your oral surgeon about any questions or concerns you have: No matter how big or small your questions may be, feel free to ask them. Your oral surgeon is there to help and support you through this experience. Know more
Avoid eating or drinking immediately prior to surgery: You will be given anesthesia to numb the treatment area. To avoid feeling nauseous or dizzy, it's recommended that you do not eat or drink anything for at least one hour before surgery if it is to be done under local anesthesia. Your oral surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on when to stop eating and drinking.
Stop taking certain medications: Certain medications such as clopidogrel and aspirin can increase bleeding. It's important to stop taking these before surgery to avoid any complications.
Before surgery, let your oral surgeon know if you're taking these or any other medicines. They'll inform you whether or not you can continue to take your current medicines (and when to stop these medicines) before surgery in preparation for it. We may have to consult your primary physician or cardiologist before recommending to stop the medicines.
Wear comfortable clothing: You should wear clothes that are loose and comfortable.

What to expect during wisdom tooth removal surgery?

Wisdom tooth removal surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the treatment area.

Once you’re numb, an incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the wisdom tooth and the bone surrounding it. The wisdom tooth may then be extracted either in one piece or broken into smaller pieces.

At Pandit Clinic, we use a piezoelectric surgical device that is helpful in more complex cases of wisdom teeth removal. Extracting these teeth is sometimes extremely challenging and may result in unwanted nerve damage. In such times a piezoelectric device is the best tool to make this procedure successful with minimal or no complications.

After the tooth has been removed, the oral surgeon will clean the area and close the incision with stitches. A gauze pack will be placed over the surgical site to help stop the bleeding. You can just hold the pack gently and not chew it.

What to expect after wisdom tooth removal surgery?

After wisdom tooth removal surgery, it’s normal to experience some swelling and discomfort. Your oral surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to manage these symptoms. There are a few things you can do at home to help speed up your recovery:

Apply an ice pack: To help reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Take pain medication: Your oral surgeon will prescribe you pain medication to help manage any discomfort you're experiencing. It's important to take the medication as directed.
Rest: It's important to get plenty of rest after surgery. Avoid any heavy or strenuous activity for at least 24 hours.
Eat soft foods: Stick to eating soft foods for the first few days after surgery. Avoid extremely hot or spicy foods. Gradually add other foods back into your diet as you're able. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
Brush your teeth gently: You can resume the toothbrushing from the next day of surgery, but be sure to do so gently. Avoid the surgical site when brushing.

Are there any risks or complications associated with wisdom tooth removal surgery?

As with any surgery, there are risks and complications associated with wisdom tooth removal surgery. However, these are usually minor and can be easily managed by your oral surgeon. Some of the common risks and complications include:

Bleeding: After the pack is removed you may experience some bleeding. If so, follow these instructions:
Fold a piece of clean gauze thick enough to bite on. Dampen the gauze with cold water and hold it on the extraction site for 1 hour without disturbing.
Apply moderate pressure by closing your teeth firmly over the gauze pad. Maintain this pressure for 60 mins.
Do not lick or suck on the extraction site.
A small amount of blood might leak from the wound until a clot forms. Do not panic. However, if it is heavy bleeding contact your oral surgeon.

Here is how you can take care of the clot that will help heal your wound faster:

Do not smoke, consume alcohol, drink with a straw or rinse vigorously for the next 72 hrs.
Avoid aerated drinks or alcohol.
Do not clean near the bleeding socket for the rest of the day. However, floss and brush other teeth thoroughly.
Limit strenuous activity for the next 24 hrs.

Infection: An infection can develop at the surgical site. To help prevent this, be sure to follow your oral surgeon's post-operative instructions carefully. If you experience any symptoms of an infection, such as fever, increased pain, or pus or drainage from the surgical site, call your oral surgeon right away.
Dry socket: A dry socket is a condition that can develop when the blood clot at the surgical site is dislodged. Symptoms of dry socket include pain, bad breath, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If you think you may have a dry socket, call your oral surgeon right away. It takes few extra days for the dry socket to heal. With certain medicines and instructions, pain or discomfort due to dry socket can be minimized.

Benefits of wisdom tooth removal surgery

There are many benefits to having wisdom tooth removal surgery. Some of the more common benefits include:

Reduced pain and discomfort: Wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Having them removed can help reduce this.
Improved oral health: Wisdom teeth can crowd or damage other teeth. They can also be difficult to clean, which can lead to plaque buildup and an increased risk of tooth decay. Removing them can help improve your overall oral health.
Easier eating: Wisdom teeth can make it difficult to chew food properly. Having them removed can make eating much easier.