Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure. It’s often recommended as a preventative measure to protect your other teeth from future problems and preserve your oral health. Recovery is usually quick and most people can return to normal activities in just a few days.
What happens during wisdom teeth removal?
Once sedation medications have been given, your surgeon will administer local anesthesia to numb the teeth and gums. Impacted wisdom teeth (wisdom teeth trapped in the gums or bone) are exposed with incisions, giving your surgeon adequate access. Once the wisdom teeth are visible, your oral surgeon carefully loosens and lifts them from their sockets, cleans the areas and places stitches. In most cases, the stitches will fall out on their own in a few days.
What are the advantages of wisdom teeth removal?
The most significant benefit of wisdom teeth extraction is that it reduces the risk for future oral health problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, damage to adjacent teeth, bone loss and jaw damage. If you’ve already developed pain because of your wisdom teeth, then extraction can alleviate discomfort almost immediately and get you back on track to optimal oral health.