Wisdom Teeth Removal: Common Questions and Answers

For many patients, wisdom teeth removal is their first experience with oral surgery and they are likely to have many questions about the procedure. Even patients who have already undergone a surgical procedure may still have concerns about wisdom tooth extraction. Here are some of the questions we commonly hear from patients in advance of wisdom tooth extraction.

• I’m not having any problems with my wisdom teeth. Why do I need to have them removed? Many patients have impacted wisdom teeth, which means that there is not enough room in the patient’s jaw for those large third molars to erupt properly. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a host of problems, such as cysts and abscesses, so patients may choose to have those teeth removed as a preventive measure. Also, it’s easier to remove wisdom teeth in patients in their late teens or early twenties, which can also influence the timing of the procedure.
• Why does an oral surgeon need to remove my wisdom teeth? When teeth are impacted, it may be necessary to remove the surrounding bone before the teeth can be extracted. In these cases, a surgeon’s expertise can be beneficial.
• How do I prepare for this procedure? You’ll likely want to select some type of sedation for the procedure, so discuss your options with your oral surgeon well in advance of your surgery appointment. Depending on the sedation method, you may need to fast after midnight before the appointment. Your surgeon can also advise you of medications that should be stopped prior to surgery and other steps that you can take to prepare.
• What can I expect from the recovery process after extraction? Most people are back to their normal routines within days of a wisdom tooth extraction. Post-operative complications can delay this process, though, so be sure to discuss post-op care instructions thoroughly with your surgeon so that you can minimize your risk of those issues.

If you are consulting with our practice about wisdom tooth extraction, it may be helpful for you to bring a list of questions with you to your first appointment. You can also call us at any time if you have any concerns about the procedure that you’d like to discuss with a knowledgeable member of our staff.