After your last dental check-up, the news came through… your wisdom teeth are growing in and need to be removed! But don’t panic. If the word ‘operation’ or ‘extraction’ frightens you, we’d like to reassure you: most wisdom teeth operations are painless and uncomplicated. In this article, we’ll take you step-by-step through the extraction process. So there are no surprises on the big day!
The first stage of wisdom tooth surgery: preparation
To find out exactly what position your wisdom teeth are in, your dentist will add a 360° X-ray to the conventional X-ray. This will give him or her an overall view of your mouth. This way, he or she will know exactly how to proceed during the operation. If you have to have all four wisdom teeth removed, the operation will take place in two stages.
Before wisdom teeth surgery: anaesthesia
Since wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure, it is absolutely necessary for you to be anaesthetised. Generally speaking, this will be a local anaesthetic. In some cases, however, you may be put completely to sleep, but this is quite rare and is justified by specific medical conditions.
Here’s how the anaesthetic works:
- Your dentist will apply a gel. This will numb the gums so that you feel the needles less during the anaesthetic.
- Once the area has been numbed, you will be given a few injections of anaesthetic to put the area completely to sleep.
- Your dentist will then check that everything is asleep.
- If you still feel pain when the dentist tests the area, don’t hesitate to tell him or her. In this case, he or she will give you a small dose of anaesthetic.
The wisdom teeth operation begins!
Once all the areas have been completely numbed, the wisdom teeth operation can begin. The first step is to open your gums to gain access to the tooth and bone. Your dentist will then extract the tooth. In some cases, it may be necessary to countersink the tooth to remove it in several fragments. This stage may be a little uncomfortable, as it sends vibrations throughout your jaw, but it is not painful. The final stage is the extraction of the tooth (including the root). Here, you may feel a great deal of pressure, but again, it shouldn’t hurt. The sensation may be impressive, but it’s completely normal.
Once the entire tooth has been extracted, the dentist will clean the area. This will prevent any infection. To close the wound, he or she will give you one or more small stitches. And that’s it! The procedure usually takes less than 45 minutes.
What happens after wisdom teeth removal?
Your dentist will apply compresses and ice to stop the bleeding. He or she will also give you post-operative care. Once you get home, all you have to do is rest and follow his or her instructions for optimum healing. ses consignes pour une guérison optimale.
