If you are planning to have your wisdom teeth removed, please read the following information carefully.
If you have any questions or do not understand any part of this information, please do not hesitate to ask.
Discomfort after extraction is common and is usually worse during the first few days. Pain relief medication can generally manage symptoms effectively.
The amount of swelling depends on each person and the difficulty of the extraction. Swelling is usually worse two to three days after surgery and can last for up to a week. Some bruising of the cheek and the area under the jaw may also be seen. Ice packs used in the first 24 hours, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, may lessen the amount of swelling.
Jaw stiffness can happen due to swelling and because the muscles that open and close the jaw become tight after surgery. You may find it difficult to open your mouth wide. It can take up to two weeks for this stiffness to resolve and for jaw opening to return to normal.
All surgical procedures have some risks associated with them. The following complications, although uncommon, may occur during extractions.
Two nerves lie close to the lower wisdom teeth. One nerve gives feeling to the lower lip and chin on one side of the face. The other nerve gives feeling and taste to one side of the tongue. During the extraction of lower wisdom teeth, either or both of these nerves can be damaged.
If the nerve to the lip is damaged, there can be a change in the way the lip or chin feels. There can be complete or partial loss of feeling, pins and needles, tingling feelings, or more rarely, burning or painful sensations.
If there is loss of feeling to the lower lip or chin, you may not be able to feel saliva or food stuck on the lip, or feel the temperature of foods and drinks. Men may find shaving difficult.
If the nerve to the tongue is damaged, similar changes to one side of the tongue may occur. Taste on one side of the tongue can also be partly or completely lost. If there is loss of feeling of the tongue, it may lead to accidental biting of the tongue. There may also be a change in speech.
In most cases, any loss of feeling or change in feeling will resolve within six months.
In a small number of cases, less than 1%, the loss or change in feeling can remain permanently. There are some surgical treatments available if this occurs, but they are not always effective and are not suitable for every patient.
Occasionally, an infection can develop in the socket from which the tooth is removed. This may require further treatment including antibiotics and drainage of any abscess that may form. Very rarely, it may be necessary to have this infection treated in hospital.
Sometimes there can be extended periods of bleeding from the extraction socket after the tooth is removed. Biting firmly on a piece of gauze for 20 minutes can usually control this. Further instructions will be given to you following the surgery.
Please inform the dentist if you have had any previous problems with bleeding or if there has been a history of bleeding problems in your family.
Dry socket is a painful condition that sometimes develops after extractions, around 5–8%. It is easily treated and is often due to smoking in the first 48 hours after the extraction.
Following the instructions that you will be given after surgery will greatly reduce your chances of developing a dry socket.
Infrequently, during the extraction of upper back teeth, a small hole may form in the socket which can allow air or fluids to flow between the sinus, an air space in the top jaw, and the mouth.
If this occurs, you will be given extra instructions after surgery. This may require further treatment later.
If you have had upper back teeth removed, try not to blow your nose or use a straw for the first few days after surgery.
Other risks include damage to adjacent teeth or fillings, damage to adjacent soft tissues such as the lip or tongue, fracture of the jaw, and tenderness of the TMJ, or jaw joint.
The purpose of this information is to provide you with details of the risks involved in wisdom teeth removal.
Please remember that there are many good reasons for having your wisdom teeth removed, and some risks in keeping your wisdom teeth, such as ongoing pain and infection, formation of cysts, decay in the wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth.
Please ensure that you carefully clean your teeth and gums around your wisdom teeth for one week prior to the surgery. This will help healing of the area.
