Wisdom tooth surgery: When is it necessary? | PureDental

Wisdom tooth surgery

What are some of the conditions that make you need to see a dentist for wisdom teeth surgery?

If you have pain in your wisdom tooth, or pain in the surrounding gums and jaw, or facial swelling, you should definitely visit our dentist. Other complaints associated with wisdom teeth can include difficulty closing or opening the mouth, or inflammation of the wisdom tooth and the surrounding gums and bone.

When might wisdom tooth surgery be necessary?

The presence of wisdom teeth is ideally not a major problem, but as they do not play a major role in our chewing, it is worth having them removed if problems arise. One possible problem could be if the wisdom teeth are not growing in the right direction, causing the teeth to become crowded. This can not only make teeth less aesthetically pleasing, but can also make it easier for tartar to build up in the congestion, making us more prone to dental problems such as tooth decay and gingivitis. The easiest way to find out the direction of wisdom tooth growth is to take a panoramic x-ray, which is best done in your teenage years, before wisdom teeth erupt. 

What alternatives are there to wisdom tooth removal, and when is surgery necessary?

At our oral surgery clinic, wisdom teeth can be removed easily, without surgical instruments or through surgery. In 96% of cases, upper wisdom teeth can be removed easily, without surgical intervention, while this rate is 35% for impacted lower wisdom teeth. Wisdom tooth surgery may be necessary when the teeth are impacted in the jaw or when their anatomical shape makes simple extraction impossible.

How is wisdom tooth surgery performed?

The patient's wisdom tooth is removed under local anaesthesia using surgical instruments, but the process is completely painless, so there is nothing to worry about.  The recovery period after surgery is approximately one week, during which time painkillers and antibiotics are recommended.

What additional treatment may be needed after wisdom tooth surgery?

In cases where the roots of the back teeth are very close to the base of the sinus, it is easy to damage the base of the sinus during tooth removal. This can lead to communication between the sinus and the oral cavity. This communication can be remedied by a minor surgical procedure after tooth extraction, a sinus block. If this is not done, a serious sinus infection can develop later on. For the avoidance of any fears, we would like to mention that this procedure does not impose any extra burden on the patient, but it is important to note that it involves wounds and sutures during the treatment, which can only be removed after a two-week healing period.

What are the possible complaints and what should I watch out for after wisdom tooth surgery?

After the removal of a wisdom tooth, if the tooth has not been surgically removed, bleeding may occur, which is a completely natural process and should not be a cause for alarm. You may also experience facial swelling or pain. For the latter, you should use the painkillers mentioned above if you feel the need. You should also take antibiotics to avoid infection. However, our dentists will always give you precise information about this after the procedure. 

You should not forget to brush your teeth after wisdom tooth removal, but avoid rubbing the affected areas for the first 24 hours!

In terms of nutrition, until the pain relief wears off, limit your meals to fluids! Afterwards, try not to chew on the side where the wisdom tooth was removed for a few days. If you have had a wisdom tooth removed surgically and your sinuses are closed, do not forget to visit the dentist for a suture removal after you have healed!
And if you have any other complaints, contact our dentists immediately!

If you need wisdom teeth surgery or removal in your case, feel free to contact our colleagues and we will help you with a painless procedure!