Wisdom Teeth Removal

From time to time, some persons need to undergo a dental procedure known as wisdom teeth removal. This procedure is a type of routine oral surgery that is done under anesthesia, which has a very short recovery period. However, wisdom teeth removal is still a type of surgery; therefore, you need to take the necessary steps to prepare yourself for the actual surgery and recovery period.

It is recommended by the Mayo Clinic that you ask your oral surgeon and dentist a series of questions before the actual wisdom teeth removal procedure, in order to ensure that you are comfortable with what will be done.

Listed below are some questions about wisdom teeth removal that you should ask your dentist:

• How many of wisdom teeth will need to be removed? – You can choose to remove them one at a time, or you can remove them all at once which will save you money and time.

• Will local anesthesia be used, or will sedation anesthesia be necessary?

• What does the process of wisdom teeth removal entail? How long is the actual procedure, and how long is the recovery time? – This will give you an idea of the timeframe needed for the completion of procedure and recovery.

• Am I going to need someone to drive me home after my wisdom teeth removal procedure? – If the dental surgeon uses sedation anesthesia, you will need to make arrangements for post-surgery transportation, as you will not be able to drive yourself.

• Should I inform the dental surgeon of any medications that I am currently taking? – It is important that you inform the dental surgeon of all the medications that you are taking, in order to find out if the medications that you will get after the procedure will have any negative interaction with them.

• Will I need to fast before the procedure? – There are quite a number of operations that require you to go without drink or food, or both; as such, you need to find out this information from your dental surgeon or dentist.

In order to know what to expect from the procedure, here is an outline of the wisdom teeth removal procedure:

• A tiny incision will be made in order to expose the tooth and socket.
• If there is any bone obstructing the tooth from being removed, it will need to be removed first.
• Your wisdom tooth will then be extracted.
• The incision will then be closed using stitches, and gauze will be used to temporarily pack the wounds.

Keep in mind that you should limit activity after surgery, until your sockets and stitches have healed.