Researchers believe wisdom teeth were necessary for our ancestors because their diet consisted mainly of hard nuts, crunchy leaves, and raw meat. Today, however, we eat more cooked food and use forks and knives to cut food into small pieces. Therefore, wisdom teeth are considered residual structures.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure in which one or more wisdom teeth are removed. It is often recommended as a preventative measure to protect your other teeth from future problems and maintain your oral health.

Wisdom tooth extraction is the extraction of third molars – four permanent adult teeth located at the back of the mouth, in the upper and lower jaws. Wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. Many people don’t have enough room in their jaws to hold their wisdom teeth without the other teeth moving. This can cause many problems.

If this happens to you, your dentist will likely recommend surgery to remove them. Wisdom teeth extractions are very common; recovery can take up to a week, depending on your particular case. The recovery process may take longer if your wisdom teeth are impacted. This means they have not yet emerged below the gum line and are not visible.

Why is wisdom tooth extraction done? 

  • Wisdom teeth can grow misaligned or become entirely or partially trapped (impacted) in the jawbone or under the gum tissue.
  • Wisdom teeth can grow at the back of the mouth. 
  • Wisdom teeth can grow perpendicular to other teeth. 

These various reasons can cause;

  • Developing gum disease, especially around your molars.
  • Having caries (cavities) in a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
  • Development of a cyst (fluid-filled sac) around one or more wisdom teeth.
  • Damage to adjacent teeth or surrounding bone. Having a toothache near the back of the mouth.
  • Keep food and debris around your wisdom teeth.

Post-surgery  

Sometimes patients express doubts about this extraction procedure. Patients think the procedure carries many risks, but that is not true. This procedure does not lead to long-term complications. The procedure is performed in a dental clinic and only by a trained and competent dental professional. During the procedure, your dentist may use one of the following anesthetics:

Local anesthesia:

Your dentist will use it by injection near the affected area. Before that, however, the area will be numbed with the help of a little gel. Here you should know that during the whole wisdom tooth extraction procedure, you will be awake.

General anesthesia:

This is used on special occasions. You may have to inhale or inject an anesthetic into your arm. You will be unconscious, and all your vital signs will be monitored by the surgical team. During the entire process of wisdom tooth extraction under the influence of this anesthetic, you will not feel any pain and do not have any memories.

You will slowly regain feeling in your mouth when you wake up after surgery. Some pain and swelling are expected. On the first day of recovery will also have blood in the mouth. You can start using an ice pack on your face whenever you want. You’ll also get instructions on when and how to take your medication, whether it’s a prescription pain reliever or an over-the-counter product.

Most people fully recover from wisdom tooth surgery within three to four days. If your tooth is impacted or is growing at an angle that is difficult to restore, it can take up to a week to recover.

Wounds left after surgery won’t heal entirely for many months, so you may still have an infection for several weeks. Take care of yourself and watch out for any signs of trouble. You can resume your normal daily activities the day after surgery, but avoid any activity that could dislodge stitches or blood clots in your wound. This includes:

  • skill exercises
  • smoke
  • drinking through a straw

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