The third set of molar teeth, wisdom teeth generally emerge between the ages of 17 and 24 years – that is, late teens to early adult years.
While some people go through their life without experiencing problems with wisdom teeth, it is not uncommon for some to require wisdom teeth removal. In the United States, for example, ten million wisdom teeth are removed from an estimated 5 million people every year.
If your dentist – or orthodontist – has recommended wisdom teeth removal, you may want to know what to expect. The team of professional orthodontists at Straight Teeth Invisible has decided to put together a detailed guide on wisdom teeth extraction. By the time you reach the end of this article, you should know what to expect before, during, and after wisdom teeth extraction.
What Makes Wisdom Teeth Extraction Necessary?
1. Impacted Teeth
Teeth impaction is a very common problem. A research study published in 2015 concluded that the worldwide prevalence for wisdom teeth impaction is 24.4%.
Impacted wisdom teeth are generally trapped in the gums or jawbone. In addition to being painful and uncomfortable, impacted wisdom teeth feature the risk of decaying, getting infected, and damaging the neighboring teeth.
According to research, 30% to 60% of individuals with previously asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth undergo removal 4 to 12 years after the teeth’s appearance. The extraction is made necessary by disease or uncomfortable symptoms.
2. Wisdom Teeth Coming in at a Wrong Angle
If your third molars erupt at a wrong angle or in the wrong direction, they may affect neighboring teeth, causing pain and discomfort. These teeth may also be impossible to clean.
3. Your Mouth Can’t Accommodate the Third Set of Molars
If your mouth does not have enough space, the wisdom teeth may cause crowding, crooked teeth, or become impacted as they come in. In such a case, all the wisdom teeth may need removal.
4. You Are at a High Risk of Gum Disease or Cavities
Being more difficult to clean, wisdom teeth are usually much more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay. The third set of molars can also create cavities that are impossible to restore. If your wisdom teeth are impossible to maintain, your dentist may advise you to remove them.
5. To Prepare for Teeth Straightening Treatment
If you are planning to invest in invisible teeth aligners, wisdom teeth extraction may be one of the things you need to do before getting your dental braces. Wisdom teeth removal is especially necessary when the third molars are growing at abnormal angles or affecting the neighboring teeth.
What Should You Do Before Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Before the wisdom teeth removal procedure, you will need to meet your oral surgeon to discuss the process. During the appointment, ensure you:
List any medications you take regularly.
Let the surgeon know of any health issues you may have.
Discuss the type of anesthesia you prefer.
Get solid answers for any questions you may have about wisdom teeth extraction.
Plan time off from school or work. This will allow you to have your surgery and get some rest.
If you have a young child, plan child care.
If needed, set up a ride home.
What to Expect During Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Step 1: Anesthesia
Before initiating the wisdom teeth removal procedure, an oral surgeon will give you one of the following types of anesthesia. This will eliminate pain during wisdom teeth extraction:
Local Anesthesia
For this type of anesthesia, your oral surgeon will use a local anesthetic shot to numb your mouth. Your doctor may also require you to breathe nitrous oxide – or laughing gas – to doze off or relax during the surgery.
IV Sedation
With this type of anesthetic, your doctor will go ahead and numb the mouth. He will also give you drugs through a vein in one of your arms to make you drowsy. IV sedation can make you sleep during the whole wisdom teeth extraction procedure.
General Anesthesia
Your oral surgeon will either ask you to breathe gas through a mask or give you an anesthetic drug through a vein. You will remain asleep during the procedure and may not wake up for 60 minutes after the wisdom tooth removal.
Step 2: The Procedure
Wisdom teeth extraction takes less than an hour – in most cases, it will take less than 45 minutes.
Your oral surgeon may have to cut the gums or bone to get the wisdom tooth out. After extracting the wisdom tooth, your doctor will stitch your wounds shut to encourage faster healing.
What to Expect After the Surgery
Different people will respond differently to anesthesia. If your doctor used a local anesthetic and you are already feeling alert after the wisdom teeth removal, you may find it easy to drive home. If your doctor used general anesthesia or you find yourself feeling drowsy after the procedure, you may need someone to drive you home.
Most patients have little to no pain after wisdom teeth removal. However, you may have mild swelling and discomfort for 3 to 7 days. To completely heal, your mouth may need several weeks.
To speed up your recovery, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. Below, we have listed some do and don’ts that could make your healing process much easier.
Things to Do After Wisdom Teeth Removal
To curb skin color changes or swelling, use an ice pack.
For a sore jaw, use moist heat.
Eat soft food – examples include rice, soup, and pasta.
Open and close your mouth gently. Use this method to exercise your jaw.
Consume plenty of water.
Waiting for at least 24 hours before brushing your teeth. When brushing, avoid brushing against the blood clots.
Use the prescribed medications to ease swelling and pain.
Talk to your doctor if the pain and swelling fail to improve. Also, call your doctor if you have a fever.
Things to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Avoid drinking through a straw. Sucking can loosen blood clots causing bleeding.
Avoid rinsing your mouth harshly. Your dentist may recommend gentle rinsing with salt water.
Avoid smoking. Smoking may slow down your healing process.
Avoid eating sticky, crunchy, or hard foods. These types of foods may scratch your wounds.
Straightening Your Teeth After Wisdom Teeth Extraction
As noted earlier, one of the reasons people invest in wisdom teeth removal is to prepare for teeth straightening. After recovering from the extraction procedure, the team at Straight Teeth Invisible will be more than happy to help you choose the right teeth braces.
Using transparent teeth aligners, our orthodontists will help you fix your smile. After years of installing invisible teeth aligners on thousands of patients, the team at Straight Teeth Invisible has enough experience and can handle the most complicated cases.
Book a free e-consult with one of our qualified orthodontists today. After evaluating your case, we will help you choose a treatment option that will offer the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should I schedule the wisdom teeth removal surgery?
AAOMS – the American Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – recommends that third molars (wisdom teeth) are removed before their roots form fully. Typically, the best time to schedule wisdom teeth removal is between the ages of 14 and 20 years.
Scheduling the procedure during the summer season is often a great idea. With no extracurricular activities or school, the summer season gives young adults and teens enough time to rest and heal after the wisdom teeth removal.
How do I reduce bleeding after the wisdom teeth removal procedure?
In cases where there is bleeding, your doctor may stuff gauze pads in the mouth – the gauze pad soaks up some of the blood. Your surgeon may also give you some extra gauze pads when heading home.
Avoid swapping the gauze pads until you arrive home – remember that the more you disturb the extraction site, the longer the healing time. If you are still bleeding when you arrive home, place a new gauze pad over the tooth extraction site and then bite down gently for about half an hour. Remove the gauze pad when the bleeding stops.
How long should I rest after wisdom teeth extraction?
After the procedure, rest for the remainder of the day. Resting for one or two days should speed up the rate at which the site heals. Most patients, however, can go back to work on the third or fourth day after the surgery.
What do I do if my stitches haven’t dissolved after several weeks?
Nowadays, surgeons use dissolving stitches. However, some surgeons may still use non-dissolving stitches. If your stitches haven’t dissolved after a few weeks, schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon to get them removed.
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