Wisdom tooth removal
Wisdom teeth are the last molars, usually coming through between the ages of 17 and 25. When there is not enough room they can stay partly under the gum, grow at an angle or cause repeated infection. Removal is advised only when a tooth is causing or likely to cause a problem. At Suman Dental Care it is done by Dr. Ohm Rajani, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (MDS), usually in one visit of 30 to 60 minutes.
Step by step
- Numb. Local anaesthetic numbs the area. You stay awake and feel pressure, not pain.
- Open. If the tooth is under the gum, a small flap of gum is lifted and a little bone is removed.
- Remove. The tooth is often divided into pieces so each comes out more gently.
- Heal. A blood clot fills the socket, stitches close the gum, and bone fills in over the following months.
- 1Examine and X-ray
The surgeon checks the tooth and your medical history and takes an X-ray. An OPG or CBCT scan may be advised if a lower tooth lies close to the nerve.
- 2Plan the removal
You are told whether the tooth is likely to come out simply or needs a surgical approach, how many teeth will be done and what to expect afterwards.
- 3Numb the area
Local anaesthetic is given. You stay awake and feel pressure and movement but should not feel pain. Tell the surgeon at once if you do.
- 4Remove the tooth
A tooth fully through the gum is loosened and lifted out. A tooth under the gum or bone may need a small cut in the gum, and sometimes the tooth is divided into pieces so it comes out more gently.
- 5Stitch and give instructions
Dissolving stitches are placed if needed, you bite on gauze to control bleeding and you are given written aftercare and medicines if advised.
- Repeated gum infection or swelling around a partly erupted wisdom tooth
- Decay in the wisdom tooth that cannot be repaired, or decay in the tooth in front of it
- A wisdom tooth pressing on or damaging the second molar
- A cyst or other problem seen on an X-ray around the tooth
- A tooth that needs to be removed before orthodontic treatment, if advised
- Not suitable to remove just in case: a healthy wisdom tooth that is fully through the gum and easy to clean can usually be left and checked regularly
Bite firmly on the gauze for 30 to 45 minutes. The numbness usually lasts 2 to 4 hours, so wait before eating or drinking anything hot. Use a cold pack on the cheek for the first 24 hours.
Swelling is usually greatest on day 2 to 3 and settles by about day 5 to 7. Mild bruising and jaw stiffness are common. Many people return to normal activity in 3 to 5 days, though lower teeth and surgical removals can take a little longer. The gum takes a few weeks to close fully.
Eat soft, cool food for the first 2 days. For the first 24 hours do not rinse, spit, smoke or use a straw, as these can dislodge the blood clot. From day 2, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals. See the extraction aftercare card.
See a doctor or hospital urgently if swelling spreads with fever, or if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing. For bleeding that does not stop with 30 minutes of firm pressure, or pain that worsens after day 3, call the clinic. See also what to do in a dental emergency.
- Swelling, bruising and soreness are expected and settle over a week.
- Dry socket: the clot is lost and a deep ache starts around day 3 to 5. It affects a minority of wisdom tooth extractions, is more likely in smokers and is treated with a medicated dressing.
- Infection can follow any extraction and may need antibiotics.
- Numb lip, chin or tongue: the roots of lower wisdom teeth can lie close to a nerve. Numbness is usually temporary, but rarely it can last longer.
- Upper teeth: the roots can lie close to the sinus, and a small opening into it is occasionally seen and managed.
- Bleeding for a few hours is normal; heavier bleeding is uncommon.
What affects the cost
We don't publish prices online. After an examination you get a written estimate that lists each item.
Payment by card, cash or UPI.
Questions patients ask
Does every wisdom tooth have to come out?
No. A wisdom tooth that is healthy, fully through the gum and easy to keep clean can stay. Removal is advised for repeated infection, decay, damage to the next tooth or a cyst.
Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. Soreness afterwards is usually controlled with the pain relief your surgeon advises for a few days.
How long until I can go back to work?
Many people return in 2 to 3 days for a simple removal and 3 to 5 days after a surgical one. Plan to avoid heavy exercise for about a week.
Can all four be taken out together?
Sometimes, if the surgeon advises it. Many people have the teeth on one side done first so they can still chew on the other. Your surgeon will suggest a plan.
When should I call after surgery?
Call if pain gets worse after day 3, bleeding does not stop with firm pressure, or numbness is still there after the anaesthetic has worn off. Swelling with fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing needs a hospital at once.
Questions about this treatment?
Send a WhatsApp message or book an examination. The dentist explains the options before anything starts.