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Planned surgical removal, under local anaesthesia, of wisdom teeth that are trapped in the gum or bone because there is no room for them.
- Duration
- 20 to 45 minutes
- Anaesthesia
- Local (sedation on request)
- Recovery
- 3 to 7 days
- Stitches
- Removed after 7 to 10 days
Why do wisdom teeth get stuck?
Wisdom teeth are the last to come through, and in most people the jaw has no room left for them. The tooth may come in at an angle, stay partly under the gum or remain fully buried in the bone. A trapped tooth presses on its neighbour and can lead to gum infection and cysts.
When does it need to come out?
- Repeated pain, swelling and gum infection
- Decay or root damage in the neighbouring tooth
- A cyst or bone loss seen on the X-ray
- Space needed before orthodontic treatment
A wisdom tooth that is well positioned, easy to clean and causing no trouble does not need removing. The decision is always based on a panoramic X-ray and, where needed, a CT scan.
How is the surgery done?
The area is numbed with local anaesthesia. A small cut is made in the gum, a thin layer of bone may be removed, and the tooth is sometimes divided into sections before being lifted out. The wound is closed with stitches. The procedure takes about half an hour; lower impacted teeth can take a little longer.
Anxious patients can have the extraction under sedation.
After the extraction
For the first 24 hours, bite on the gauze, avoid spitting and skip hot food to control bleeding. Swelling peaks on the second and third day and then settles. A cold compress on the cheek, soft lukewarm food and the prescribed medication speed up healing. Smoking, drinking through a straw and heavy exercise should wait a week.
Possible risks
As with any surgery, bleeding, infection and delayed healing known as dry socket can occur. In the lower jaw, a nerve runs close to the roots, so temporary numbness of the lip is rare but possible. At a university hospital the procedure is planned on a CT scan, so the distance to the nerve and nearby structures is known in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can all four wisdom teeth be removed at once?
If your general health allows, yes. Often one side is done first and the other a week or two later.
Can I go to work after the extraction?
For desk work, most people are fine the next day. Swelling peaks on day two, so plan around that.
When are the stitches removed?
Usually after 7 to 10 days. Dissolving stitches do not need removing.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Cenk DURMUŞLAROral & Maxillofacial Surgery
