Wisdom tooth removal or extraction is the surgery to remove the third set of molars. These molars, often known as "wisdom teeth," usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Another name for the procedure is wisdom teeth extraction. Although a complete recovery from wisdom tooth extraction might take up to six whole weeks, most patients are able to get back to their regular activities in a couple of days.

The majority of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth, which means it lacks enough space to develop normally.

You can prevent your wisdom teeth from harming the nearby teeth and bones by having them removed, whether because of an impaction or because they have the potential to cause problems.

What Really is Surgery to Extract Wisdom Teeth?

An oral surgeon or dentist will often do the outpatient operation to remove wisdom teeth.

The tooth will either be removed in its entirety or in fragments after the surgeon makes a cut in the gums. You'll be sedated while under anesthesia, which may involve laughing gas or intravenous (IV) sedation. Your comfort level, the complexity, and the quantity of necessary extractions will all be taken into consideration by your surgeon when determining which sedative to utilize.

Surgery to remove wisdom teeth is often simpler to conduct on younger patients than on older ones. Although some people of any age can have their wisdom teeth removed, doing so can increase the risk of complications.

Younger individuals' bones tend to be more elastic and flexible, which can make wisdom teeth removal easier and lower the risk of bone breakage. Also, the healing potential in younger people may be better, which can lower the chance of adverse effects like nerve damage.

A common recommendation is to have wisdom teeth removed between the ages of 18 and 21, but the optimal timing will ultimately depend on the oral surgeon's opinion after a complete diagnosis that includes imaging tests like X-rays.

Why a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery?

If an examination and X-rays show that your wisdom teeth are impacted or could eventually give you oral issues, a dentist will advise this operation. (Although not everyone has them, most people have between one and four.) The following are some potential issues that wisdom teeth may cause:2

• Dental Decay

• Tooth Decay

• Chronic Gum Disease

• Infection

• Loss of Bone

• Damage to the teeth around it

During routine visits and with the aid of dental X-rays, your dentist will keep an eye on the growth of your wisdom teeth. Even if you are not currently exhibiting any symptoms, they may advise wisdom teeth removal surgery to prevent future issues before they arise.

With wisdom teeth present, it might be difficult to maintain proper dental hygiene because they are located in a hard-to-clean location.

An oral surgeon might be recommended to you for the surgery. Before the procedure, the surgeon will schedule a consultation to review your dental records and obtain further X-rays to determine the extent of your surgical requirements.

If you have a dental emergency, such as excruciating pain, a fever, or loose teeth, call your dentist or surgeon right once. In this case, it is best not to wait until the day of your operation.

Surgery Day - Here's What to Expect

Be prompt for your appointment with the oral surgeon. If required, your doctor might take dental X-rays once again the day of operation.

During the Surgery

About 45 minutes should pass during the procedure. You shouldn't experience any pain or discomfort while under anesthesia. You could be sleeping or awake during the procedure, depending on the type of sedation employed.

Below are the steps for a regular wisdom tooth extraction procedure:

• Step 1: You will be given a tiny mask to place over your nose to breath the sedative, allowing you to be awake but still remain relaxed, if you are receiving nitrous oxide (laughing gas). In order to give a sedative during the procedure, the assistant will insert a needle into a vein in your arm if intravenous (IV) sedation is chosen. Since you will probably not remember the surgery afterward and will likely drift in and out of consciousness, this is typically regarded as the most relaxing option.

• Step 2: Local anesthesia is used by your surgeon to first numb the wisdom teeth and the tissues around them after sedation.

• Step 3: Removal of tissue. In order to access the wisdom tooth, the surgeon must remove any gum tissue that is covering the affected area.

• Step 4: Removal of the bone. Bone may completely or partially surround an impacted wisdom tooth. In this circumstance, a high-speed handpiece is utilized to drill through the tooth-covering bone to remove it. The tooth is gently separated from any connective tissue in the tooth's socket using a variety of surgical instruments when the impacted wisdom teeth are visible to the dentist. To make tooth removal simpler, the surgeon could also chop the tooth into smaller pieces.

• Step 5: Removal of the tooth. The wisdom tooth can be extracted once it is fully sectioned or is loose. To completely remove the tooth, the surgeon will employ surgical tools that are specially made for the job.

• Step 6: Stitches. The dental surgeon may need to use stitches to seal the area. Sometimes this needs to be done when impacted wisdom teeth are extracted or when the surgeon deems it necessary in order for the patient to heal better and faster.

Post the Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery

When the procedure is over, the IV drip or nitrous oxide gas will be turned off, and you'll be gently pulled out of anesthesia.

To aid in a blood clot, the dentist will give you some gauze to bite on. You can experience moderate anesthetic side effects like nausea, dizziness, and shivering just after surgery.

You will then be sent to a recovery room where you'll be asked to stay for a while for observation. You will be given the all-clear to return home if a specialist has determined that you are stable and breathing correctly. You'll typically stay in the recovery room for less than an hour.

You'll feel drowsy and puffy after surgery. Even while you might not experience much pain right away, it will likely get worse as the local anesthetic wears off in the hours following surgery.

The Recovery Stage For the next twenty four hours following the procedure you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Your mouth and cheeks may experience some discomfort, bleeding, and swelling for up to a few days following the procedure. It's possible that at this point you won't be able to fully open your mouth.

• Avoid drinking alcohol and using alcohol-containing mouthwash.

• Avoid using a straw or rinsing your mouth out aggressively.

• Keep your toothbrush away from the extraction site. Employ a soft manual toothbrush instead of an electric one because it is more gentle.

Although healing at the extraction site might take up to six weeks, most patients can return to their everyday routines the next day.

For a week following surgery, refrain from excessive activities or physical exertion to prevent breaking up the blood clot. It’s also best to refrain from smoking

Healing

You will be given additional gauze by your dentist or surgeon to apply to the extraction site at home.

Fold another piece of clean gauze into a pad if bleeding persists after removing this gauze. Hold the pad between your teeth in the extraction area while dampening it with warm water. Do not chew the gauze. If it gets bloody, leave it in place for about 30 minutes and replace it.

In order to stop bleeding, your dentist might also advise moistening a tea bag and gently chewing down on it for 30 minutes. Tea includes tannins, which are chemicals that can tighten blood vessels and reduce bleeding. After tooth extraction, subjects in a 2014 study were given either standard gauze or gauze that had been wet with green tea extract to apply on their gums. They discovered that the gauze infused with green tea extract worked better than conventional gauze to halt bleeding. If you experience any signs of a heavy bleeding, dry socket, or substantial discomfort, call your surgeon at once.

Once wisdom teeth are removed, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) are frequently beneficial at reducing pain. 10

Pain Management

For relief from pain and swelling, you might also try placing an ice bag or a cool, damp towel on your face.

Your surgeon may occasionally recommend pain medication, which may contain opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone. When taken as prescribed for a brief period of time, these drugs can be safe. Because misuse can result in overdose, addiction, or death, it's crucial to abide by your surgeon's recommendations.

Consuming Food and Drink

After surgery, your dentist will advise you on what foods to eat and when. Your mouth's delicate tissues can be sensitive for a few weeks. Typically, you can begin consuming soft or liquid-based foods and gradually increase your intake of solid foods once you feel ready.

You should only consume soft foods during the first 24 hours following surgery, such as yoghurt and applesauce. After that, you can go on to semi-soft things like muesli, soft bread and eggs. Avoid items that can aggravate the area until it has healed, such as hot, acidic, chewy, tiny, and hard foods (such as nuts, seeds, and granola).

Your dentist could advise lightly washing your mouth with warm salt water (use half a teaspoon of salt per 8 ounces of water).after eating. Take care that you are gentle and do not interfere with the blood clots.

Common Complications that could occur post surgery. Surgery to remove wisdom teeth may result in the following complications:

• Infection

• Agitated nerves

• Getting a post-surgery blood clot out of the extraction site might result in dry socket, a painful condition that exposes the nerves and bone underlying.

• Sinus issues

When to Contact Your Dental Surgeon

As you get well, keep an eye out for infection and other consequences. Make an immediate appointment with your dentist or surgeon if you suffer any of the following:

• Fever

• Nose bleeding

• Loss of feeling

• Despite taking medication, the pain persists

• Pus, or excessive bleeding

• Breathing or swallowing issues Some dry socket symptoms can include:

• Bone that can be seen at the site of the extraction

• A bad taste or odor from the mouth

• Severe discomfort extending from the socket and spreading to the side or neck

Some Tips on The Best Way to Prepare for Your Surgery

Before the procedure, discuss any worries you may have with your surgeon. They can provide you with advice on what to do in the days leading up to surgery and how to prepare for recovery time. Also, they can discuss with you the sort of anesthesia that will be used and how you'll feel following the procedure.

The degree of impaction and the number of teeth being removed will affect the price of the procedure to remove the wisdom teeth. To find out your benefits and what will be covered, check with your dentist, surgeon, and insurance company.

Purchasing some soft or liquid-based foods that are simple to take after surgery will help you get ready for recovery. Yoghurt, Applesauce, Smoothies, Oatmeal and other soft foods that can be eaten without having to chew.

• Where is the Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery performed? Surgery to remove wisdom teeth is carried out in a professional dentist or oral surgeon's office.

• How to Dress For the procedure, dress comfortably in loose clothing. Wear a blouse with short sleeves or one that allows you to easily roll the sleeves up if you're receiving intravenous anaesthetic. 1 For the surgery, you won't need to change into anything.

• What to Eat Be sure to eat and drink according to your surgeon's instructions before the operation. Depending on the type of sedative utilized, instructions might change. You won't be allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery if you are receiving intravenous anesthetic, ensuring that your stomach is empty.

• Prescription drugs Aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin), and Advil are just a few examples of drugs that can raise the risk of bleeding issues (ibuprofen). Take your dentist's advice on the required medication. If you take any of these or any other medications before having dental surgery, let your doctor and dentist know. In order to prepare for surgery, they will advise you whether you may continue taking your present drugs or whether (and when) you need to stop taking them. Inform your healthcare practitioner about all of your prescriptions, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and other dietary supplements, to prevent issues.

• What to Take

Bring your dental insurance card as well as any required documents. Since you'll be sleepy following anesthesia, your surgeon will likely advise you to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. If you'd like, this person can wait for you in the waiting area.

• Changes in Pre-Op Lifestyle

Prior to surgery, abstain from alcohol and smoke for at least eight hours.

The extraction of wisdom teeth is a routine dental surgery with very little risks. It's crucial to strictly adhere to the post-operative instructions you receive for a speedy recovery, especially in the first seven to 10 days after your surgery. Take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have so that you are completely aware of how to take care of yourself at this time. For more information or to book an appointment get in touch with the experts at Garden Family Dental in Garden Grove, CA at 714 - 638 - 9370.