Wisdom Tooth Extractions: What To Expect

Surgically removing one or more wisdom teeth is known as wisdom tooth extraction and refers to both the top and lower wisdom teeth. A dentist or an oral surgeon in Plano can suggest wisdom tooth removal.  

This is to avoid future issues, even if impacted teeth aren't creating difficulties now. If an impacted wisdom tooth causes discomfort, infection, or other dental issues because there isn't enough room for it to grow, you'll likely need to have it removed. A dentist or oral surgeon can remove wisdom teeth.

Here's What to Expect:

During the Procedure

Depending on the predicted complications of the wisdom teeth extraction and your degree of comfort, your dentist or oral surgeon may choose from three forms of anesthetic.

Possibilities include:

• Local anesthesia. One or more injections of local anesthetic are given by your dentist or oral surgeon around the site of each extraction. Your dentist or surgeon will most likely use a numbing agent on your gums before administering the injection. While having a tooth extracted, you will be awake.
• Sedation anesthesia. Sedation anesthesia is administered to you by your dentist or oral surgeon via an IV line in your arm. During the procedure, sedation anesthesia will make you unconscious.
• General anesthesia. You may be put to sleep under general anesthesia in some circumstances. A nasal inhaler, an IV line in your arm, or maybe both are options. There will be no discomfort, and you will have no remembrance of the operation.

You can expect the following from your dentist or oral surgeon after you have your wisdom teeth removed:

• Exposes the tooth and bone by making a small incision in the gum tissue
• The bone that is obstructing the tooth root is removed.
• Divide it if removing the tooth in parts is simpler.
• Removes the tooth from the mouth.
• Removal of any tooth or bone debris from the area where the extracted tooth was previously located.
• Closes the incision with stitches to aid healing, however, this isn't always necessary.
• Using gauze to keep the extraction site from bleeding and to aid in the formation of a blood clot.

After Treatment

A recovery room is where you go once you've had sedative anesthesia or general anesthesia. If you've undergone a local anesthetic, you should expect to spend some time in the dentist’s chair recovering after your appointment.

Continue to follow your dentist's post-op recommendations while you recover from surgery.  

• Bleeding. The first day following wisdom teeth extraction may see some blood leaking. Avoid spitting excessively to keep the blood clot in the socket intact. As recommended by your dentist or oral surgeon, replace the gauze over the extraction site.
• Pain management. An over-the-counter pain reliever or a prescription pain medication from your dentist or oral surgeon may help you manage your discomfort. Use a cold pack on your jaw to help alleviate discomfort.
• Swelling and bruising. As recommended by your dentist or surgeon, apply an ice pack to the affected area. Swelling in your cheeks generally goes away in two or three days. It's possible that the bruising won't go away for a few more days.
• Activity. Plan to rest for the rest of the day after your procedure. After a day or two of rest, you can resume normal activities. However, avoid strenuous activity for at least a week to avoid losing the blood clot from the socket.
• Beverages. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water after surgery. Don't consume alcohol, caffeine, carbonated, or hot drinks for the first 24 hours. For at least a week, avoid using a straw to drink since the sucking movement may displace the blood clot.
• Food. For the first 24 hours, stick to liquids and soft meals like yogurt and applesauce. Once you're able to handle semisoft meals, introduce them into your diet. Avoid items that can become trapped in the socket or aggravate the wound, such as hard, chewy, hot, or spicy ones.
• Cleaning your mouth. During the first 24 hours following surgery, refrain from using mouthwash, rinsing your mouth, spitting, or any other oral hygiene method. After the first 24 hours, you'll most likely be instructed to continue cleaning your teeth. Rinse with warm salt water every two hours or after meals for a week. Be careful around the surgery area when brushing.
• Tobacco use. Don't start smoking again for at least 72 hours following surgery, preferably longer. Do not use chewing tobacco for at least a week if you do. If you smoke after oral surgery, you run the risk of having a more difficult time healing and recovering from the procedure completely.
• Stitches. Stitches that disintegrate quickly or none at all are possibilities. Arrange a time to get your stitching removed if you need to.

Looking for an Oral Surgeon in Plano?

If you don't have any stitching left after your wisdom teeth extraction, you won't need to make another visit. If you don't have issues that persist, such as bruising or bleeding that might signal an infection or other problems, then the surgery went smoothly with no issues.

If you experience any problems, make an appointment with your dentist or oral surgeon in Plano to talk about your alternatives.

If you want a reliable dentist to handle your dental issues, head on over to Texas Oral Surgery Group. We have the best specialists that can handle any of your dental needs. Call us today!