Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth. Each individual might have 0 to 4 wisdom teeth that erupt/appear at each quadrant by age 20/above. If wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to grow (a.k.a. ‘impacted’), having pain or swelling then you’ll likely to have it extracted or have a minor wisdom tooth surgery.
Keep the wisdom tooth when:
Advise Wisdom tooth surgery when:
Wisdom tooth surgery procedures
After Wisdom tooth surgery
Keep the wisdom tooth when:
- If wisdom tooth erupts/appears normally as other molars did and cause no problems
- It doesn’t erupt and stay beneath the gum without causing pain
- When individuals are able to keep clean of the area
Advise Wisdom tooth surgery when:
- Impacted/not enough space for the wisdom tooth to erupt/appear
- When it is Horizontal or Angle to the front teeth
- When it cause swelling or pain at the corner of jaw
- When swelling or pain radiate to neck or head
- When it cause food trap and damage to the front teeth
- Pathology detected during routine X-ray examination
Wisdom tooth surgery procedures
- Pre-surgery assessment with X-ray, discussion with individual to arrange a day off to rest
- Pre-surgery medication is given to prevent swelling/pain
- Local anesthesia done, the tooth is then taken out, sometimes in few fragments
- Entire procedure takes 1-2 hours depending on complexity
- Suture and post-surgery medicine will be given
- Medical certificate will be issued whenever necessary
After Wisdom tooth surgery
- Mild swelling on day 1 to day 3, swelling in most cases shall degrade or reduce on day 7
- Soft diet for 1-3 days, cold drinks/food is advised
- Apply pressure with gauze until bleeding stops
- The wound shall be kept clean, other teeth shall be brushed, use mouthwash as prescribed
- Surgical toothbrush is advised to keep the suture or wound clean
- Take Medicine on time and get more rest
- Contact clinic if require any further assist
- Review for suture removal or check up at clinic according to schedule