[Learn More About Wisdom Teeth] The Surgical Procedure, Post-operative Care, and Risks of Wisdom Tooth Removal (Part 2)
What is the procedure for removing a wisdom tooth?
Before the surgery, the dentist will typically take X-rays and explain the procedure. Local anesthesia will be administered before the surgery begins. Once the patient is under anesthesia, the dentist will use an elevator to loosen the gums and then use forceps to extract the wisdom tooth. However, in some cases, the dentist may need to make an incision on the gum surface first, or cut the wisdom tooth into several pieces before extraction. The surgery usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.
What precautions should be taken after surgery, or how should one care for oneself?
Discomfort after surgery, such as wound pain, facial swelling, and difficulty opening the mouth, are common occurrences.
On the day of surgery, patients can apply ice to their face to reduce facial swelling; brushing teeth and rinsing the mouth should be avoided to prevent touching the wound; it is recommended to chew on the other side of the teeth first and eat softer foods; avoid heavy work or strenuous exercise; do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages.
The day after surgery, patients can apply a warm towel to the swollen area to relieve discomfort; brush their teeth as usual and chew with both sides of their teeth; maintain oral hygiene to prevent wound infection.
Three or four days after surgery, patients are advised to eat softer foods. If the wound is painful, painkillers can be taken as directed by the doctor.
The wound usually takes about a week for the swelling to subside and the stitches to be removed, and it takes about 3 months to fully heal. If the bleeding has not stopped within 24 hours after the surgery, or if the bleeding is severe, you should go back to the dentist's office as soon as possible to check if the sutures have split open.
What are the risks of wisdom tooth extraction surgery?
All surgeries involving the removal of impacted wisdom teeth carry certain risks, depending primarily on the location of the impacted wisdom tooth.
Wisdom teeth in the upper jaw generally grow normally, and some patients may not even experience any pain. The trigeminal nerve is not located in the area around the upper wisdom teeth, so there is no risk of nerve damage.
However, because the roots of the lower wisdom teeth are close to the trigeminal and lingual nerves, there is a risk of nerve damage during surgery, causing numbness in the lips and jaw. Recovery typically takes 3 to 6 months. Some older patients may require even longer for the nerves to return to normal, and some may even experience permanent sequelae.
Author: Dr. Chen Haoxian
