Preparation

In the majority of cases, impacted teeth must be removed. Early removal in young adulthood, before problems begin, is recommended. Even if the teeth are not causing any bothersome symptoms, they can eventually lead to a number of problems, including:

• Decay or cavities
• Infection around the crown of the tooth
• Crowding of the teeth
• Resorption of adjacent teeth -- Although there is not enough room, impacted teeth may still try to grow into the mouth. This may injure the roots of nearby teeth and cause early loss of healthy teeth
• Cysts or tumors -- These may develop in the sacs formed by the wisdom teeth

Before you have your wisdom teeth surgically removed, you will meet with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a consultation. During this visit, he/she will take your medical and dental history, noting any problems that may interfere with your surgery. Your doctor also will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and jaw. In addition, X-rays of your wisdom teeth and neighboring teeth must be taken before surgery. If he/she decides that surgical removal of your wisdom teeth is the best option for you, they will discuss the procedure, explaining the risks and benefits, as well as answering any questions you have. You also will be given specific instructions for what to do before surgery.

Procedure

The surgical removal of wisdom teeth is a very common procedure. It is performed in your oral and maxillofacial surgeon's office or surgical facility. The procedure takes approximately 30-60 minutes and you will be allowed to go home on the same day. During the surgery, you will be given local anesthesia, often with sedation, to make you more comfortable. The surgery involves removing the gum tissue that presides over the tooth, gently detaching the connective tissue between the tooth and the bone, removing the tooth and finally suturing the opening in the gum line.

Recovery

Following surgery, plan for a couple of days rest afterwards. You may experience some slight bleeding the first day. For the next several days, your jaw will be considerably swollen and sore. However, the swelling and soreness will decrease each day and your doctor will give you pain medication to make you more comfortable. Because you will not be able to open your mouth fully for about a week, except to eat a diet of soft foods. Although most people are able to resume their normal activities within a few days of surgery, it takes about four to six weeks for the wounds to fully heal.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow after surgery. To avoid any complications, it is very important that you adhere to these instructions. If at any time you have questions or concerns, be sure to call our office. Our doctors are available 24 hours a day, seven days each week.

As with any surgery, some risks are involved in the surgical removal of wisdom teeth. These include:

• Dry Socket -- Developing a "dry socket" is one of the most common complications of wisdom teeth removal. This may occur when the newly formed blood clot in the extraction site does not form correctly or is washed away. The blood clot lays the foundation for new tissue and bone to develop.

  Symptoms of dry socket, which typically occur on the third or fourth day following surgery, includes a moderate to severe pain radiating to the ear. A foul smell also may develop in your mouth, around your extractions. If you experience these symptoms or any other, it is important that you call your doctor. A dressing will be placed in your dry socket to control the pain.

• Infection -- If an infection occurs, your doctor will drain the infected area and prescribe you with an antibiotic.

• Sinus problems -- Because the sinus cavities are so close to the upper wisdom teeth, they may be injured during surgery. If this occurs, your doctor will correct the problem and prescribe you with an antibiotic.

• Discomfort in nearby teeth -- Following surgery, nearby teeth that were injured by the impacted wisdom teeth may begin to hurt.

• Numbness -- Lower impacted wisdom teeth are located close to the sensory nerves in your lower jaw and give you feeling in your lip, chin and tongue. During removal of your wisdom teeth, these nerves may be injured. As a result, you may experience numbness in your lip, chin or tongue. However, this numbness typically goes away within a few weeks. In rare cases, the feeling does not go away and surgery may be needed to correct the problem.