Wisdom Tooth Extraction

People may need removal when a wisdom tooth is painful, infected, decayed, impacted, associated with a cyst, or damaging nearby teeth or bone.

A local anaesthetic injection numbs the gum during removal. Sedation may be used to help a person relax, and general anaesthetic may be used for difficult removals.

Complications can include dry socket, infection, and nerve damage that causes numbness or tingling in the tongue, lips, or chin.

Wisdom tooth extraction often takes only a few minutes and should take no more than 40 minutes. Complex cases can take longer.

The gum may be cut if it covers the tooth, the socket is widened, and the tooth is removed whole or in two or three pieces. Dissolving stitches may close the gum.

Full recovery averages up to two weeks, although many people return to school, work, and usual routines within three to five days.

A wisdom tooth without symptoms may not need removal. Extraction is used when the tooth is linked to pain, infection, decay, cysts, or damage.

Mild discomfort, slight bleeding, and swelling are expected after removal. Pain and swelling should steadily decrease after they reach their peak.

Wisdom tooth removal is a common oral surgery procedure used to protect other teeth from future problems.