Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of our mouths and don’t always need removing so long as they’re healthy. They are the last posterior teeth to erupt. Ideally, there are 4 wisdom teeth in the oral cavity two each in upper and lower jaws. Wisdom teeth are placed at the end of the oral cavity and erupt up to the age of 29 years. They erupt fully like other teeth or can erupt partially or impact the bone.
Often, wisdom tooth don’t have room to grow properly and end up creating problems for oral cavity. So is it really necessary to remove your wisdom teeth? So what to really expect during your Wisdom Teeth Removal surgery? Does it come under the purview of dentistry or maxillofacial surgery?
Who is this article for?
This article is for patients who have been advised wisdom tooth removal and want to understand what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. It is especially useful for patients with wisdom tooth pain, swelling, food lodgement, gum infection, difficulty opening the mouth, cheek bite, jaw pain, decay in the wisdom tooth, or an impacted wisdom tooth seen on X-ray. The article helps patients understand why wisdom teeth may need removal, how the dentist or oral surgeon plans the procedure, what type of anaesthesia may be used, what recovery usually feels like, and when to contact the clinic after surgery.
Types of Wisdom Teeth Eruption
Partially impacted wisdom tooth
Usually seen in lack of space in the upper and lower jaw, small jaw size. So there is not enough space for the wisdom teeth to erupt fully through the gums. It tries to erupt by applying pressure on the front teeth so at times patient feels radiating pain in other teeth as well. While it tries to erupt it can cause a flap of tissue to remain over the tooth. This flap causes pain and swelling in the gingival tissue. This flap can trap food and bacteria resulting in gum pain. This termed as pericoronitis.
Impacted wisdom teeth
If the jaw sizes small and if there no space at all for the wisdom tooth to erupt then they get stuck or impacted in the jaw bone. It doesn’t necessarily cause pain. So not in all situations wisdom teeth hurt. The dentist will suggest appropriate treatment if needed before any major symptoms develop. Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure. An x-ray, taken for diagnosis and treatment planning.
X-ray reveals reasons why an extraction may be needed?
- Due to insufficient space for eruption
- Pressure on the adjacent tooth
- Cervical and root caries of the adjacent tooth
- Pericoronitis in case of partially erupted third molar
- Decay of partially erupted wisdom teeth
- Limited mouth opening
- Odontogenic cyst
- Abscess or puss
- Cellulitis due to bacterial infection
The above conditions treated with antibiotics, antiseptic mouthwashes, saltwater warm gargles, and maintaining good oral hygiene. When the line of action does not suffice surgical removal of wisdom tooth considered. Also if there is no antagonist tooth against the wisdom tooth and if there is recurrent pericoronitis one should consider removing the wisdom tooth.
Procedure for Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is a small surgical procedure. If your dentist concludes on extracting your third molar, one should know that the whole procedure would be under local anesthesia and the extraction would get completed in a maximum of 2-3 hours. This procedure is completely painless. The gingiva surrounding the tooth retracted exposing the corresponding bone and tooth.
Impacted or partially impacted molar’s extraction involves cutting of a jaw bone to expose the tooth structure. If your teeth completely erupted bone fragments need incising. Once the tooth structure adequately exposed so as to elevate it or section it, your dentist will extract the tooth. Impacted and partially impacted teeth placed at different angulations and according to the angulation, the technique of extracting the teeth may vary. This procedure is technique and skill-sensitive. Most oral surgeons summoned to the clinic or suitable for such kinds of extractions.
Once the extraction performed the extraction site thoroughly washed with betadine for no residue of any infection. The retracted gingiva then sutured to its place and a gauze pack given to the patient to reduce bleeding and clot formation. Which in turn helps in healing.
5 common complications after Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
1. Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis):
After wisdom tooth extraction formation of blood clots helps in wound healing, but if the blood is displaced then alveolar osteitis or dry socket can be formed, where the nerve underneath the gums is exposed. In such a situation, there would be sharp throbbing pain at the extraction site. This pain is usually experienced after 2-3 days of wisdom tooth extraction. If moderate or severe pain continues after taking medications as well one should consult your dentist or the oral surgeon. They will clean the extracted site and cover it with a zinc-oxide eugenol pack which will soothe the nerve and promote healing.
2. Pain and Swelling:
Mild pain and swelling are the most common and typical complications after extraction. They both last hardly 2-3 days after the extraction and this effect minimalized if one takes the prescribed medicines by your dentist.
3. Limited Mouth Opening:
One may experience trismus or temporary reduced mouth opening after a lengthy procedure of tooth extraction. and it resolves on its own within a week’s time. If the stiffness in the jaw continues and is prolonged heat therapy, pain medication, muscle relaxants or jaw-opening devices can be used.
4. Excessive Bleeding:
It takes 8-12 hours normally for bleeding to stop after extraction. if bleeding persist with excessive flow consult your dentist. Avoid smoking and rinsing your mouth vigorously.
5. Lip Numbness:
This complication is very rare it can be temporary. if the numbness seems to be more than 2 days it could be due to nerve damage. The wisdom tooth is close to the inferior alveolar nerve, during extraction procedure if the nerve get damaged an individual can experience numbness in the lips or jaw.
FAQs on Wisdom Tooth Removal
1. Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
Wisdom tooth removal is usually done under local anaesthesia, so the area is numb during the procedure. The patient may feel pressure or movement, but sharp pain should not be felt once the tooth is properly anaesthetised. In anxious patients or complex surgical cases, sedation or other anaesthesia options may be discussed. Some pain, swelling, stiffness, or discomfort can be expected after the anaesthesia wears off, but this is usually managed with medicines and post-operative instructions.
2. How long does recovery take after wisdom tooth removal?
Recovery varies depending on whether the wisdom tooth was simple, impacted, infected, or surgically removed. Many patients feel better within a few days, but swelling, soreness, bruising, or jaw stiffness may take longer to settle. Healing also depends on age, oral hygiene, smoking, medical history, difficulty of surgery, and whether post-operative instructions are followed properly. Follow-up may be advised if stitches were placed or if healing needs to be checked.
3. What should I eat after wisdom tooth removal?
After wisdom tooth removal, soft and cool or lukewarm foods are usually preferred initially. Patients may have curd, soft rice, khichdi, dal, mashed vegetables, smoothies without using a straw, soups that are not too hot, and other soft foods. Avoid hard, spicy, very hot, crunchy, sticky, or seedy foods that can irritate the wound or get trapped in the socket. Do not use a straw in the early healing period unless your dentist permits, as suction may disturb the blood clot.
4. What is dry socket after wisdom tooth removal?
Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur when the blood clot in the extraction socket is lost or disturbed, exposing the bone underneath. It can cause severe pain, bad taste, bad smell, or pain spreading towards the ear or jaw. Mayo Clinic notes that dry socket pain usually begins 1–3 days after tooth removal. If pain worsens instead of improving, the patient should contact the dentist or oral surgeon for evaluation.
5. When should I call the dentist after wisdom tooth removal?
You should contact your dentist or oral surgeon if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain that does not reduce with medicines, swelling that worsens after the first few days, fever, pus discharge, bad smell or taste, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, persistent numbness, or difficulty opening the mouth that is getting worse. Early review helps identify infection, dry socket, delayed healing, or other complications.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth removal is a common dental procedure, but every case is different. Some wisdom teeth can be removed simply, while impacted, infected, deeply placed, or close-to-nerve wisdom teeth may need surgical planning and careful recovery instructions. A good consultation should include clinical examination, X-ray or scan review where required, explanation of the procedure, anaesthesia options, possible risks, recovery timeline, and written post-operative instructions.
After wisdom tooth removal, mild bleeding, swelling, soreness, jaw stiffness, and difficulty chewing may be expected for a short period. These symptoms should gradually improve with rest, medicines, soft food, gentle oral hygiene, and follow-up care. If pain, swelling, bleeding, fever, bad taste, pus discharge, or numbness worsens instead of improving, contact your dentist or oral surgeon promptly.
Disclaimer: This article is for patient education. Wisdom tooth removal suitability, procedure time, recovery, comfort, and healing vary from patient to patient. A clinical consultation and X-ray evaluation are required before planning treatment.
All rights reserved by Royal Dental Implants Pvt Ltd, Issued in the Public Interest.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for patient education only. Dental treatment should be planned after clinical examination, medical history review, and X-rays or scans where required. Treatment suitability, cost, timeline, healing, and results vary from patient to patient.
