Your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction removal to prevent dental complications. Impacted wisdom teeth and those that haven’t erupted fully can lead to cysts, infections, gum disease, or crowding of other teeth.

A surgeon will numb your gums with local anesthesia. They will cut gum tissue and remove bone that blocks access to the impacted tooth, if needed. They will then divide the tooth into sections for removal.

Preparation

Ensure you’re prepared for the procedure by reading the list of guidelines provided to you by your surgeon. Let them know of any health problems you have or medications you take, including over-the-counter supplements and vitamins.

You’ll likely need to schedule your appointment when you have some time off work, and arrange for child care or pet care. You’ll need someone to drive you home after the surgery, as you’ll be groggy from receiving anesthesia.

Local anesthesia is given through one or more shots near where the tooth needs to be removed. Sedation can also be used for patients who have anxiety or a fear of dental procedures, and it’s available as inhalable laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or intravenous sedation. Both of these options will keep you asleep during the removal of your impacted wisdom teeth. A medical team will monitor your vital signs during the procedure. You may have stitches, which will usually be the type that dissolve on their own.

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia numbs the area around the tooth to make it pain-free, much like the injection you might receive for a filling. The procedure is very quick, and patients have little or no memory of it afterwards.

Sedation anesthesia is recommended for anxiety-prone patients, more complex extractions, or those with health issues that could affect recovery. The dentist will administer oral, intravenous (IV), or inhalable medications to put you into a sedative state during the procedure.

When the anesthesia wears off, it might take a day or two for your jaw to feel less stiff and sore. To help prevent infection, be sure to continue taking antibiotics as prescribed. You can resume eating soft foods, but avoid chewing on the site until it is fully healed. Sutures (if used) will either dissolve or need to be removed by your oral surgeon in about a week. To reduce swelling, place an ice pack on your face.

Surgery

Your dentist or oral surgeon will use a local anesthetic, the same type used to numb teeth before dental fillings, to prevent pain during the wisdom tooth removal procedure. They may also decide to administer a sedative to control your anxiety, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), an oral sedative or intravenous sedation.

The surgery involves cutting gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone, then removing the tooth and root. If necessary, your dentist may divide the tooth into sections. They will then clean the site, put in a stitch and cover it with gauze to stop bleeding and help a blood clot form.

You should plan to take a few days off work and arrange for someone to care for you after your procedure. Most people can return to work after a week, but you will need to avoid hard or crunchy foods until the stitches dissolve. Ask your dentist or oral surgeon for a list of guidelines to follow during recovery.

Recovery

The dentist will make a cut or incision through gum tissue over the wisdom tooth, and then gently detach the connective tissue that holds the tooth. The tooth is then removed and the surgical site is stitched closed.

You may experience some pain and swelling after the procedure, which is normal. To manage pain, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed. Your dentist or oral surgeon may also prescribe stronger pain medication if needed.

Anesthesia may make you groggy for several hours after your surgery. If this is the case, have a friend or family member drive you home after your procedure.

Stick with a soft food diet (such as yogurt, applesauce and pudding) until the anesthesia wears off. Avoid hard foods, which can cause additional discomfort. Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water a few times a day to keep it clean and reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. Avoid using commercial mouthwash, as it can irritate the surgical site.