Wisdom Teeth Removal: What to Expect Before, During and After Surgery
Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common oral surgery procedures. For some people, wisdom teeth erupt normally and never cause problems. For others, there may not be enough room for them to develop properly, leading to pain, infection, tooth damage or other complications.
If your dentist has recommended wisdom teeth removal, knowing what to expect can make the process much less stressful.
At Wagga IV, our oral surgeons provide wisdom teeth assessment and removal for patients in Wagga Wagga, the Riverina and across regional NSW.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth may need to be removed when they are causing problems or are at significant risk of doing so.
Common reasons include:
Repeated infections around the tooth
Pain or swelling
Impacted wisdom teeth
Tooth decay
Damage to neighbouring teeth
Cysts or other abnormalities
Lack of space for normal eruption
Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed. Your oral surgeon will assess the position and condition of your teeth before recommending treatment.
What Happens Before Surgery?
Your treatment begins with a consultation and assessment.
Your oral surgeon will discuss your symptoms, dental history and general health before examining your mouth. Dental X-rays or 3D imaging may be used to determine the position of the wisdom teeth and their relationship to surrounding structures.
Your treatment plan may also include a discussion about anaesthesia or sedation.
Choosing the Right Anaesthesia
Depending on the complexity of the procedure and your individual needs, wisdom teeth removal may be performed using local anaesthetic, IV sedation or general anaesthesia.
If you're particularly anxious about dental treatment, IV sedation can help you feel deeply relaxed during the procedure.
Your oral surgeon will explain the available options and recommend the most appropriate approach.
How Should You Prepare?
Your clinic will provide specific instructions before your procedure.
Depending on the type of anaesthesia used, you may need to:
Follow fasting instructions
Arrange someone to drive you home
Wear comfortable clothing
Take or avoid certain medications as instructed
Organise time away from work or study
If you are having sedation or general anaesthesia, you should not plan to drive yourself home afterwards.
What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Once you are comfortable and the appropriate anaesthetic or sedation has been administered, your oral surgeon will carefully remove the wisdom tooth.
The complexity of the procedure depends on factors such as whether the tooth has fully erupted, its position and its relationship to nearby nerves or other structures.
An impacted tooth may require a small incision in the gum and, in some cases, removal of a small amount of surrounding bone.
The tooth may be divided into smaller sections to allow it to be removed safely and efficiently.
Will Wisdom Teeth Removal Hurt?
During the procedure, the appropriate anaesthetic is used to prevent pain.
You may feel pressure or movement, but you should not experience significant pain during surgery.
Afterwards, some discomfort is expected as the anaesthetic wears off. Your oral surgeon will provide instructions for managing pain and reducing swelling.
What Happens Immediately After Surgery?
After your procedure, you will spend some time recovering before going home.
You may experience:
Mild bleeding or oozing
Swelling
Jaw stiffness
Facial tenderness
Temporary numbness
These are common after wisdom teeth removal and usually improve over the following days.
If you have received sedation or general anaesthesia, you will need a responsible adult to take you home and follow your post-operative instructions.
What Can You Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
For the first few days, choose soft foods that require minimal chewing.
Good options include:
Yoghurt
Mashed potato
Scrambled eggs
Soft pasta
Oatmeal
Smooth soups
Avocado
Soft fish
Avoid very hot, hard, crunchy or spicy foods while the surgical sites are healing.
You should also avoid using straws because the suction can interfere with healing.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Most patients notice that swelling and discomfort are greatest during the first few days and then gradually improve.
Many people return to normal daily activities within several days, although recovery varies depending on the number and complexity of the teeth removed.
The gums continue healing after you begin to feel better, so it is important to continue following your oral surgeon's instructions.
How Should I Look After the Extraction Sites?
Good oral hygiene is important after surgery, but the surgical areas need to be treated gently.
Your oral surgeon may recommend:
Gentle tooth brushing
Salt-water rinses
Prescribed mouthwash
Avoiding direct brushing of the extraction sites initially
Do not vigorously rinse or spit during the early healing period unless specifically instructed to do so.
What Are the Possible Complications?
Wisdom teeth removal is a routine procedure, but as with any surgery, complications can occur.
Possible complications include:
Infection
Dry socket
Prolonged bleeding
Temporary numbness
Swelling
Damage to nearby structures
Your oral surgeon will discuss the risks relevant to your particular wisdom teeth before treatment.
When Should You Contact Your Oral Surgeon?
Contact your clinic if you experience:
Severe or worsening pain
Heavy bleeding that does not settle
Increasing swelling after the initial recovery period
Fever
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Persistent or worsening numbness
Signs of infection
Prompt assessment can help identify and manage complications early.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Wagga Wagga
If you have been referred for wisdom teeth removal, Wagga IV provides specialist oral surgery care for patients throughout Wagga Wagga, the Riverina and regional NSW.
Our oral surgeons use modern diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques to assess each case individually and provide a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Book a Wisdom Teeth Consultation at Wagga IV
If your wisdom teeth are causing pain, swelling or repeated infections - or your dentist has recommended specialist assessment - the team at Wagga IV can help.
Our experienced oral surgeons provide personalised wisdom teeth assessment and removal, with sedation options available where appropriate.
Contact Wagga IV to arrange a consultation and find out whether wisdom teeth removal is the right option for you.