Oral surgery - Removal of Wisdom teeth

This information is for patients who may need to have an operation to remove their wisdom teeth. It explains why they may need to be removed, what is involved any risks or complications that there may be.

Adults normally have 32 teeth and wisdom teeth, or 3rd molars are the last to come through in each corner at the back of the mouth. If the jaws are too small to fit all the teeth, there may not be enough space for the wisdom teeth to come through properly and they become stuck, often causing problems.

Reasons for the removal of wisdom teeth

1. Repeated infection requiring antibiotics
2. A hole in the wisdom tooth, which your dentist cannot fill
3. When the teeth next to the wisdom teeth become affected
4. If a cyst develops
5. As part of other surgical procedures involving the jaw

The removal of wisdom teeth

The procedure can be carried out under several different ways:

1. Local anaesthesia an injection in the gum to freeze it
2. Local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation an injection in the arm or hand to reduce anxiety
3. General anaesthetic, completely asleep in a hospital

Your surgeon will discuss with you which method is best.

The level of difficulty of the surgery, any medical conditions and other personal circumstances will be considered choosing the method.

The procedure can involve a cut in the gum close to the tooth.

Sometimes some jawbone around the tooth is removed with a drill.

The procedure can be made easier by cutting up the tooth itself into smaller pieces.

The site is closed with stitches.

What can be expected after the operation?

There is great difference in the pain and discomfort experienced by individuals, and this also depends on how difficult the surgery is. The average recovery time is between 5-7 days.

Swelling is common and tends to be worse, on the 2nd and 3rd day after surgery.

Mouth opening is likely to be limited and a soft diet will be required over the first few days.

Expect some pain from the operation site, which should be helped by pain killers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

Bruising of the face can occur.

Risks

Post-operative bleeding may occur which should be dealt with by your surgeon/hospital.

Infection of the socket can occur and may require antibiotics.

When a tooth next to the wisdom tooth has a large filling or crown it is possible that this can become loose and fall out during surgery.

The nerves which give feeling to the lower lip and chin and to the tongue are very close to the lower wisdom teeth and can become bruised. If this happens numbness or a tingling feeling will be felt in the lip and chin, or tongue. This is temporary in most cases, but in a small number it may remain. Very rarely continued pain may be felt from damaged nerves.

Please speak to your surgeon before your operation if you have any concerns about these risks.

Contacts

Appointment enquiries – 0161 206 4100
Pain after treatment: 0161 206 8203/0161 206 4733
Email: oral.surgery2@nca.nhs.uk
Out of hours: Accident & Emergency - 0161 206 4841