Wisdom tooth removal

Why wisdom teeth might need to be removed

Wisdom teeth develop later than other teeth. They usually start coming through into your mouth in your teens or early 20s, but they can cause problems at any age.

You might need to have wisdom teeth removed if they do not have enough space to come through into your mouth fully. For example they may be blocked by another tooth (impacted) or partly covered by your gums.

This can cause:

• pain and swelling
• infections in your gums (pericoronitis)
• food getting stuck
• tooth decay
• gum disease
• a build-up of fluid around the tooth (cyst)
• a dental abscess

A dentist may do X-rays to check how your wisdom teeth are positioned.

If it's not causing problems, the tooth will usually be left where it is and monitored at your routine dental check-ups.

What happens during wisdom tooth removal

A dentist might be able to remove wisdom teeth, or they may refer you to a specialist at a hospital, clinic or another dental surgery.

You'll usually have a local anaesthetic injection to numb the gum, so you will not feel any pain.

You may also have sedation to help you feel relaxed, or you may have a general anaesthetic, where you're asleep. You'll only need these if the teeth are more difficult to remove or you're anxious.

The main steps to remove wisdom teeth are:

1. The dentist or surgeon will cut your gum, if it's covering the tooth.
2. They'll widen the socket where the tooth fits into your gum.
3. The tooth will be removed in 1 piece, or cut into 2 or 3 pieces.
4. Your gum is then stitched if necessary, using dissolvable stitches.

It often takes just a few minutes, and should take no more than 40 minutes.

You'll usually go home the same day. If you had a general anaesthetic you might need to stay in hospital overnight.

Recovering from wisdom tooth removal

You can usually go back to your normal activities the day after having wisdom teeth removed. If they were more difficult to remove or you had a general anaesthetic you might need to take 1 to 3 days off work.

For up to 2 weeks after having wisdom teeth removed:

• you'll usually have some pain and swelling, which should start to improve after 1 or 2 days
• you might have bruising on your cheek
• your jaw may be sore and stiff
• you may find chewing and swallowing uncomfortable

If you had stitches, they'll dissolve by themselves. A blood clot will form over the wound, which helps it to heal.

You'll be given advice about things to do for the first few days to help your recovery.

Possible complications of wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom tooth removal is usually a simple procedure, but as with any procedure, complications can happen. Your dentist or surgeon will explain the risks to you before the procedure.

Complications can include:

• dry socket – a painful condition where the blood clot over the tooth socket does not form properly or is dislodged before your gum has healed
• an infection, which may need to be treated with antibiotics
• damage to nerves close to the tooth, causing numbness or tingling in your tongue, lips and chin – this usually gets better but can last a few weeks or months