Wisdom Tooth Surgery

The wisdom tooth is the last adult dentition to erupt. It is called the wisdom tooth because it appears at the age of 16 earliest and is the third molar in the mouth. In most cases there is insufficient space in the mouth for the wisdom tooth. The wisdom tooth is often impacted against soft tissue, bone and the tooth in front. This often gives rise to problems and complications. As a result wisdom tooth surgery (third molar surgery) is warranted

Wisdom tooth surgery is an operation where a surgical approach is taken to expose the wisdom tooth; the impacted bone surrounding the wisdom tooth removed and the wisdom tooth completely removed in parts or whole. Patients recover well within a few days following wisdom tooth surgery. The wisdom tooth surgery can be removed under local anesthetic with or without sedation. At times wisdom tooth surgery is done under general anesthetic. This is especially where the wisdom tooth is severely impacted or multiple wisdom teeth are removed at the same time.

You would expect to require a few days of medical leave following the wisdom tooth surgery. There will be slight bleeding for a day or two following the wisdom tooth removal. Swelling and pain post wisdom tooth surgery is expected. These are easily managed with oral medications. Pain and swelling can be minimized if the wisdom tooth surgery is done. Inherent risks of nerve damage following wisdom tooth surgery are known. This is almost negligible if the wisdom tooth surgery is done well.