What Can I Expect During Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Furthermore, if you’re between the ages of 17-28 and experiencing the above symptoms, you may want to visit your dentist soon to determine if it is indeed your wisdom teeth or something more serious.
Traditionally, wisdom teeth removal is a fairly routine procedure (if you don’t have any complications). You may or may not already know that, but you’re probably here because you want to know some of the specifics of what will actually be happening during the surgical procedure.
First and foremost, you and your oral surgeon will decide on which anesthesia to use—general or local—before the extraction begins. Here’s a general outline of what will happen after the anesthesia is administered:
- Incision is made in the gum to expose the tooth.
- Bone is removed to provide access to the tooth root.
- Tooth is broken into pieces (if necessary) then removed.
- Incision and gum is cleaned to remove remaining tooth or bone.
- Wound is stitched closed to promote proper healing, but isn’t always necessary.
- Gauze is set in place to control bleeding and to assist with blood clot formation.
Once you are out of surgery and you have had someone drive you home, you can expect some bleeding, swelling, and bruising. You’ll also want to have some over-the-counter pain management on hand as well as plenty of water to drink.
Additionally, it’s recommended you don’t brush your teeth, spit, or rinse your mouth for 24 hours. If you experience any of the following, you should call your surgeon:
- Fever
- Excessive bleeding
- Pus in the socket
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling that gets worse after 2-3 days
- Pain that’s not relieved from prescription medication
- Bad taste in your mouth that doesn’t disappear with saltwater rinse
No-Cost Wisdom Teeth Removal Study
If you would like to consider the option of no-cost wisdom teeth removal, consider inquiring about the clinical research studies being held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
JBR Clinical Research, a Utah-based company, is conducting a clinical trial on a wisdom teeth surgery and is accepting applications. Qualified participants may be compensated for time and travel.
Visit the JBR Clinical Research wisdom tooth clinical study page to learn if you may qualify for wisdom teeth extraction in Utah at no charge.