While wisdom teeth removal is a common occurrence here at No Gaps Dental, it’s one of the most dreaded procedures aside from a root canal – and that’s mostly due to an individual being fearful of experiencing wisdom tooth extraction pain.
Is that fear justified?
We believe in being upfront and honest which is why we’re going to give you the lowdown on wisdom tooth extraction, including what to expect before, during, and after treatment. So let’s get started ….
Wisdom Teeth – What are they, and why are wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth or the third set of molars (the chewing teeth) are located at the back of the mouth. They generally erupt through the gums when a person is in their late teens or early twenties. There’s no real need for them since we can eat and function perfectly well without them.
Problems with wisdom teeth tend to occur because of the fact that they are the last teeth to come through. By the time they make an appearance, most people already have a full set of teeth and have no room in their mouth for any more. As a result, these latecomers often find themselves jostling for space and causing disruption.
Sometimes wisdom teeth grow through at an angle, undermining the adjacent teeth, and other times they can get stuck or impacted. Ultimately this can cause problems such as pain, fluid-filled cysts, and damage to adjacent teeth and bones. In situations like these, wisdom teeth removal is usually the best solution.
Our dentists will carry out an oral examination and where necessary, perform an X-ray to determine whether or not your wisdom teeth should be removed.
So, what’s involved in a wisdom tooth extraction?
Our experienced dentists perform wisdom tooth extraction chair side but in more complex cases, they may need to refer you to a specialist who is likely to recommend that your wisdom teeth are removed in a hospital environment under general anaesthetic.
The procedure itself
Most patients find that wisdom tooth extraction is no worse than having a regular tooth extraction. To avoid any wisdom tooth extraction pain, we use a local anaesthetic to numb the area. If you’re a particularly nervous patient, we can even provide inhalation sedation to help you feel more comfortable. This is breathed through a small nose piece and will put you in a relaxed and carefree state of mind. Don’t worry, once the sedation is ceased, you will feel back to normal within a few minutes.
Wisdom teeth removal is completed in a few easy steps as follows:
- An incision is made in the gum to expose the bone and the tooth
- Any bone blocking access to the tooth is removed and a special instrument is used to disconnect and loosen the connective tissue holding the tooth in position
- The tooth may be divided into pieces to make it easier to remove
- Once your wisdom tooth or teeth have been removed, the site is thoroughly cleaned
- The wound may be sutured to promote healing, although this isn’t always necessary
- Finally, a piece of gauze is placed over the site and you’ll be asked to bite down on it to help a blood clot form
While you may feel a little pressure during the process, you shouldn’t experience any pain.
So, that’s the procedure…
…now let’s talk about the reasons you may feel wisdom tooth extraction pain following surgery.
Why does my jaw hurt after wisdom teeth removal?
Removal of the lower wisdom teeth, in particular, can unsettle the surrounding bone and muscles. Feeling pain at this stage is perfectly normal and can usually be relieved with over the counter painkillers. As your healing progresses, the pain will subside.
Removing the lower wisdom teeth can also lead to a condition whereby the jaw muscles contract or tighten – a condition known as trismus. This can make it difficult to open the mouth and is particularly common when the third molar is impacted.
Trismus can be painful and may affect your ability to eat and speak. Generally, it dissipates as the body starts to repair itself, and usually, no treatment is required. However, if your jaw continues to be sore, then contact your nearest No Gaps Dentist.
Are there any other complications following wisdom tooth extraction?
One common condition of wisdom teeth removal is dry sockets. This occurs when the hole left behind by the extracted tooth fails to heal properly. Remember we spoke earlier about a blood clot forming? Well, this is necessary to kick-start the socket’s healing process. If the blood clot doesn’t form or gets damaged, it can result in a dry socket.
This can cause a nasty taste in the mouth and bad breath. It can also be very painful. If the pain can’t be controlled using over-the-counter medication, then contact our dentist to discuss what they recommend. Should it become worse in the days following surgery, it is usually an indication that there is a problem.
What is the recovery time for wisdom teeth removal surgery?
Typically recovery time is between 1 and 2 weeks but it’s important that you follow the instructions given to you by our dentist or your oral surgeon following surgery. A sore jaw and some swelling or bruising are normal depending on the complexity of your surgery but if something doesn’t feel right, let your dentist know.
Hopefully, the above information has dismissed any fear you may have had about wisdom tooth extraction pain.
If you’re experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth, don’t suffer in silence. Contact No Gaps Dental at (02) 8806 0181 to schedule a wisdom teeth consultation. We have 15 clinics distributed around the Sydney Metro area, so getting to see us is easy.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.