Surgical Removal of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, often become impacted causing pain and discomfort. In severe cases, infection can set in along with issues with your TMJ. If you don’t have enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to successfully emerge, schedule a surgical removal of your wisdom teeth consultation with one of the Bay Area OSM offices. You can schedule your appointment either online or over the phone.
Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?
There are several reasons why you might choose to have your wisdom teeth surgically removed. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in your jaw, there is a possibility they have become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there is not enough room in your jaw, putting you at risk for:
- Infections like pericoronitis
- TMJ issues
- Clicking in the jaw
- Cysts
- Abscesses
If you are feeling pain in your jaw due to your wisdom teeth, waiting won’t make it go away. In fact, waiting too long puts you at greater risk of them becoming impacted and infected.
What happens during surgery to remove Wisdom Teeth?
Most times you will be sedated or under general anesthesia prior to your wisdom teeth removal surgery to keep you as comfortable as possible. First, your Bay Area OSM provider cuts away a portion of your gums to reveal the bone beneath.
Next, your surgeon cuts into the bone to reveal your wisdom teeth impacted inside. Often, your wisdom teeth will be broken into portions to make it easier to extract from the jawbone. Once the teeth are removed the area is thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris.
Finally, the surgical sites are stitched up to promote healing and limit the chances of infection.
What is recovery like after wisdom teeth removal surgery?
You might feel a little groggy as soon as you wake from sedation or general anesthesia. Your Bay Area OSM provider will have you bite down on gauze to slow down and stop any bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, make sure you don’t do a lot of spitting or use a straw to drink. This can cause the clots to become dislodged, causing a painful condition known as a “dry socket.”
For the first day or so, your surgeon might prescribe some medication to help with any pain or swelling. After a few days, pain can easily be managed with over-the-counter medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
DOES HAVING YOUR WISDOM TEETH REMOVED HURT?
You will be helped to feel comfortable during your tooth extraction. Your surgeon will apply a local anesthetic to block the pain. During the procedure, you may request more anesthetic if needed. You will also be offered a sedative to help you feel relaxed. All these options will be discussed with you prior to your extraction so that the medication can be tailored to your needs.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL?
Wisdom teeth extraction is a same-day surgery procedure. After the extraction, you will be able to go home. Someone will have to take you home as the sedatives will have a strong effect until the next day. For the first few days, you should only do light work to allow your body time to recover. You will also need to be careful with the things that you eat. Crispy or hard foods should be avoided whilst your gums heal. Instead, you can eat things like pasta, soft rice, and yogurt. Also, avoid drinking through a straw. You can return to your normal diet after your gum has healed.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY TIME AFTER WISDOM TEETH ARE REMOVED?
After your extraction, you will likely feel some discomfort. It should only last a few days and you can treat any pain with over the counter painkillers. If, in a rare case, that it doesn’t seem to be healing well, or you are suffering from the symptoms below, then call the surgeon’s office as soon as possible.
- Heavy bleeding or extreme pain after 4 hours since the extraction
- Indications of infection including chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- An excessive amount of discharge
- Coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
