The most common reason for wisdom teeth removal is when patients get repeated infections of the gum overlying the wisdom tooth (pericoronitis). They can also need removed if they are decayed, or the tooth in front is decayed and can not be restored until the wisdom tooth is gone, if the tooth in front is affected by gum disease or if the wisdom tooth is associated with a cyst or an infection at the root of the tooth.

We will give you a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area around the tooth. You’ll feel some pressure just before the tooth is removed, as the dentist needs to widen the tooth socket by rocking the tooth back and forth.

In some cases, a cut may be needed in your gum, and the tooth may need to be cut into smaller pieces before it’s removed.

The time it takes to remove the tooth will vary. Some procedures only take a few minutes, whereas others can take 20 minutes or longer.

After your wisdom teeth have been removed, you may experience swelling and discomfort, both on the inside and outside of your mouth. This is usually worse for the first 3 days, but it can last for up to 2 weeks.

As with any procedure, removing your wisdom teeth carries some risks. However,
these risks are usually small.

Risks can include:

• Pain and swelling for a few days and up to 2 weeks
• Dry socket – where a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged
• Nerve injury – this can cause temporary or permanent problems, such as pain and numbness
• Infection – signs include a high temperature, yellow or white discharge from the extraction site, and persistent pain and swelling
• Bleeding

You should see your dentist if you have signs of infection after the procedure, or if you’re bleeding heavily from the extraction site.

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is one of the most common complications of wisdom tooth removal. It occurs when a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged or disappears. This can happen 3 to 5 days after surgery.

The empty socket causes an ache or throbbing pain in your gum or jaw, which can be intense. There may also be an unpleasant smell or taste from the empty tooth socket. If you look into the socket, you might be able to see exposed bone rather than a blood clot.

You’re more at risk of developing dry socket if:

• You don’t follow your dentist’s instructions after the extraction
• You smoke
• You’ve had the condition before
• You’re over 25 years old
• The extraction was complicated

Contact our clinic if you suspect you have dry socket. We can flush any debris out of the socket or cover it with a medicated dressing, which may be removed and replaced frequently until it heals.

Please see the post-operative instructions here.

The British Association of Oral Surgeons have developed an information leaflet on oro-antral communications. Please see here for information.