Wisdom Tooth Surgery
The surgical removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most common operations in dentoalveolar surgery. Once, wisdom teeth were an important tool for our ancestors to help them grind their food, which was harder to chew in those days. Today, our food is softer and our jaws smaller, which means that wisdom teeth usually no longer have any functional purpose. On the contrary: they often only partially break through, grow crookedly or remain trapped in the jaw entirely. Wisdom teeth removal is therefore advisable to prevent misalignments, inflammations or similar complaints at an early stage.
Why Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Impaired tooth eruption: in the lower jaw in particular, wisdom teeth are regularly unable to grow out of the jaw (completely) due to lack of space. This can lead to infections or to the formation of gum pockets, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. Possible consequences include severe pain, redness and swelling of the surrounding soft tissue, difficulty swallowing, significant obstruction when opening the mouth, and abscess formation.
Impacted wisdom tooth: If the wisdom tooth does not have enough room, it will find another way out – this results in a misalignment of the tooth. Wisdom teeth that are impacted horizontally can press on neighbouring tooth roots and cause a sensitivity disorder or even the death of the surrounding teeth.
Caries or pulpitis in the wisdom tooth: Cleaning wisdom teeth that have not fully erupted or are displaced is significantly more difficult, which can cause caries or painful inflammation (pulpitis) to develop more quickly.
Other reasons for removing wisdom teeth: Every jaw is different – and the removal of one or more wisdom teeth may be necessary for a variety of reasons. These can range from the use of a dental prosthesis to complex restorations and organ transplants, because impacted wisdom teeth can become a source of infection and endanger your health, which we want to protect.
Duration of the treatment
60 Minutes
Fit for everyday life
After 10 days
Follow-up treatment
Suture removal
Clinic stay
Outpatient
The most frequently asked questions
Why Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth are often removed to prevent issues such as lack of space, misalignments, or complications like cavities, inflammation, or pressure on neighboring teeth. This helps to avoid infections, pain, and damage to surrounding teeth.
How long does the wisdom tooth surgery take?
The procedure usually takes about 60 minutes, depending on the number of teeth to be removed and their location. Surgery in the lower jaw typically takes longer than in the upper jaw due to the denser bone structure.
What anesthesia options are available?
Wisdom tooth removal is usually performed under local anesthesia. In complex cases or for patients with anxiety, general anesthesia or sedation may be used, especially when all four wisdom teeth are being removed at once.
What should be considered after the surgery?
- Cooling: Cold packs reduce swelling during the first 48 hours.
- Oral care: Gentle cleaning with a soft toothbrush; use medical mouthwash if necessary.
- Avoid: Dairy products, alcohol, cigarettes, whole grain products, exercise, and sun exposure.
What complications can occur?
Possible risks include temporary numbness, swelling, infections, or – rarely – jaw fractures. However, with proper aftercare and modern techniques, these risks can be minimized.
When is the wound fully healed?
The oral mucosa usually heals completely within three weeks. Most patients are fit for everyday life after just one week.
Possible Complications of Surgical Removal in the Lower Jaw
The bone density in the lower jaw is significantly more pronounced than that of the upper jaw, which can lead to complications during surgical wisdom tooth removal. In addition, the misalignment of wisdom teeth can vary greatly from person to person, which makes the extraction of the teeth even more difficult. We overcome these hurdles together with the right preparation:
Before your wisdom tooth operation, you will usually receive a long-lasting painkiller (e.g. Ibuprofen 600) or a sedative (medication to eliminate pain while also having a calming effect). If all four wisdom teeth are removed in one session, the SailerClinic advises a general anaesthetic.
If the tooth is firmly embedded in the jaw or is positioned diagonally, it may first be cut to make it easier to remove. We use anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers and antibiotics to ensure optimal healing.
What Should You Consider After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
In the first 48 hours after your operation, cool packs will help to relieve pain and swelling. You can carry out your oral care as usual, but you can use a very soft toothbrush if necessary. If you experience intense pain, temporarily refrain from brushing your teeth and use a medicinal mouthwash (0.1% chlorhexidine) instead. We also recommend that you avoid blowing your nose and sneezing forcefully.
Avoid the Following:
Dairy products, coffee, black tea, energy drinks
Alcohol, cigarettes, wholemeal products, rice, sports, saunas, solarium and exposure to the sun.
As a rule, the wound heals well and the procedure is free of complications. The oral mucosa is completely healed after three weeks.
Before-and-after pictures
Wisdom Tooth Removal – Methods and Duration
Wisdom teeth can be removed in the form of a short outpatient procedure or a wisdom tooth operation. The SailerClinic will be happy to provide you with comprehensive advice on the option that is best for you.
The intensity of the pain associated with the treatment varies from person to person and also depends on the type of procedure and the number of teeth to be removed. Accordingly, all four wisdom teeth can be extracted either in a single session or over the course of several appointments.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction with Local Anaesthesia
Removing wisdom teeth is a simple and straightforward procedure if they have already fully or almost fully erupted. Your specialist will administer an anaesthetic to the area around the wisdom tooth using a syringe. As soon as you no longer feel any pain, the wisdom tooth will be removed using forceps.
Removing Wisdom Teeth via Longer Surgery Under Local Anaesthesia
If the wisdom teeth are hidden in the jaw or are very crooked, the wisdom teeth extraction is somewhat more complicated. In this case, the wisdom teeth extraction is performed by an oral surgeon.
Normally, this wisdom tooth removal is also performed under local anaesthesia, after which the mucous membrane and jawbone are first removed to expose the wisdom tooth. After the wisdom tooth removal, you may experience slight swelling and pain, but with the right aftercare, this is usually short-lived.
Wisdom Tooth Surgery with General Anaesthesia
In rare cases, a wisdom tooth must be extracted by means of surgery under general anaesthesia. This is necessary, for example, if the procedure is very complex or lengthy or if the patient is afraid of visiting the dentist or of pain. However, these are exceptions – normally a general anaesthesia is not necessary for a wisdom tooth operation.
Wisdom Tooth Surgery Duration
The duration of wisdom teeth surgery depends on the type of procedure involved. Wisdom teeth surgery on the lower jaw usually takes a little longer than on the upper jaw, as the bone tissue in the lower jaw is denser than in the upper jaw. This can prolong the removal of wisdom teeth.
Do you have questions? Contact us.
Get in touch with us – Our expert team will contact you.
"After the surgery, I finally see the person I’ve always been on the inside. My confidence has increased tremendously, and I no longer hide from the world. Thank you to the team."
Angela B., Aesthetic Surgery Patient
