How A Wisdom Tooth Is Removed?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure that removes wisdom teeth. Learn more about wisdom tooth extraction in the sections below.

wisdom tooth extraction

Anaesthesia

You’ll be given a local anaesthetic injection to numb the tooth and surrounding area before having your wisdom teeth extracted.

Your dentist or surgeon may administer a sedative to help you relax if you’re particularly nervous about the procedure. This is usually done by injecting something into your arm.

Wisdom tooth extraction rarely necessitates the use of a general anaesthetic. When the procedure is performed in a hospital, it is only used on rare occasions. In this case, however, you should be able to return home the same day as the procedure.

Why Does A Wisdom Tooth Being Removed?

The wisdom teeth are the last to erupt (appear) in the mouth. A wisdom tooth can become impacted (stuck below the gum line) and grow at an odd angle, potentially causing complications.

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last permanent teeth to emerge from the gums. Between the ages of 17 and 25, these teeth usually appear. Some people don’t get wisdom teeth at all. Others have wisdom teeth that erupt normally, just like their other molars and cause no issues.

Many people have impacted wisdom teeth, which are teeth that don’t have enough room to erupt or develop normally. Wisdom teeth that are impacted may only erupt partially or not at all.

A wisdom tooth that has become impacted can cause:

  • Grow at a 45-degree angle to the next tooth (second molar)
  • Grow at a 45-degree angle to the back of the mouth.
  • Wisdom teeth grow at a right angle to the other teeth, as if “lying down” within the jawbone.
  • Like other teeth, they can grow straight up or down, but they are trapped within the jawbone.

How Do Dentists Remove Wisdom Tooth?

If the tooth hasn’t broken through the gum, a small cut (incision) in the gum will be made to gain access to it. It’s possible that a small piece of the bone that surrounds the tooth will need to be removed as well.

To make it easier to remove the tooth through the opening, it can be cut into smaller pieces. If the tooth has broken through the gum, there is less need for an incision.

You’ll feel some pressure just before the tooth is extracted because your dentist or oral surgeon must widen the tooth socket by rocking the tooth back and forth before removing it.

Because the area around your wisdom teeth will be numb, you should not experience any pain during the procedure. However, if you experience pain during the procedure, inform your dentist or oral surgeon so that more anesthetic can be administered.

The time it takes to remove the tooth varies. Simple procedures can take a few minutes, but more complicated procedures can take up to 20 minutes.

Back to top: How A Wisdom Tooth Is Removed?