What does wisdom tooth removal entail?

The procedure usually takes about half an hour, although this varies according to each case. You may choose to have the wisdom tooth removed under local anaesthesia, with or without intravenous sedation, or under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting. Your dentist or the oral maxillofacial surgeon will assist you in selecting the method of pain relief that is most suitable for your case. Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days, depending on the degree of impaction and the number of teeth removed.

How will I feel after the procedure?

You may experience some swelling and discomfort. However, your dentist or the oral maxillofacial surgeon is able to reduce the possible discomfort with medication and provide postoperative instructions which will aid healing.

What are common complications and risks associated with removing wisdom teeth?

Some patients develop a "dry socket" after wisdom tooth removal. The typical dry socket produces a dull pain that doesn't appear until three or four days after the tooth has been extracted. Dry sockets are found to occur more often in women (even more so in those taking oral contraceptives), persons over the age of 30, and smokers. A dry socket needs to be treated by your dentist, who will usually place a medicated dressing in the dry socket to soothe the pain until it subsides.

A less frequently occurring complication associated with the removal of wisdom teeth is numbness of the tongue, lip or chin. This numbness happens very rarely and when it does it is usually temporary.