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Wisdom tooth removal (or extraction) is a surgical procedure to remove one or more of the 4 permanent teeth located in the back corners of your mouth, on the top and the bottom. These teeth often become impacted meaning that the tooth may remain stuck in the gum tissue or bone in your mouth making them subject to pain, infections and may cause various other dental problems.
If you are experiencing these dental problems you will likely need to have a dentist or an oral surgeon remove it. Here at Notting Hill Dental Clinic we strive for excellence in dentistry. That is why we not only have some of the most skilled Dentists in London, but also our own in-house surgeon and facilities to ensure that you get best care.
Trust us to provide the expertise and facilities required for a successful and comfortable experience. Schedule a consultation today to take the first step towards fantastic oral health.
You may need to have your Wisdom Tooth Removed if:
Preparation:
Before the procedure begins, your dentist will explain the process to you and administer anaesthesia to ensure that you will be comfortable and pain free throughout the procedure. Depending on your personal case, this may be only local anaesthesia to numb the area, sedation anaesthesia that will make you feel drowsy or general anaesthesia to put you to sleep. You will be informed well in advance as to the method your dentist will use as patient comfort is our first priority.
The Surgical Process:
Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, the procedure will begin. First the dentist will make a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth. The dentist may remove some of the bone that restricts the access to the tooth root to ensure a clean extraction. Afterwards, the dentist may divide the tooth into sections so it can be removed with ease. Once the extraction is complete, the dentist may stitch the wound closed (this is not always needed) and then they will place gauze over the extraction site to control bleeding.
The entire procedure typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour. While you won't feel pain due to the anaesthesia, you might experience some pressure. It's important to communicate with your dentist or surgeon if you feel any discomfort during the procedure.
After your procedure you will have some minor bleeding. Make sure to bite firmly on the gauze pads over the extraction site for around 30-45 minutes to help stop the bleeding. Avoid spitting as this may delay healing. If bleeding persists, give us a call on 020 7229 9102.
After your procedure you may take over-the-counter medication as directed by your dentist to manage pain. If you experience swelling, you may apply an icepack to near the extraction site for 10-15 minutes at a time.
After your surgery, avoid eating hard foods for the first 3-5 days. Instead stick to a soft food diet and eat foods such as yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and smoothies to avoid irritating the extraction site. Where possible, try to chew foods on the opposite side of your mouth from where you've had the extraction.
Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid using straws as the sucking motion can can cause pain & discomfort.
After 24 hours, you may rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Avoid excessive force while rinsing and brush your teeth as per normal, trying to be gentle around the extraction site.
During the First 24 hours after your extraction, you can expect some swelling and minor bleeding around the extraction area. During this time, stick to soft foods, avoid using straws and where possible, rest with your head elevated to minimise swelling.
During this time, swelling and bruising will reach its peak and start to settle down. Continue taking pain medication as prescribed and if you are experiencing swelling, you may use icepacks on the area for 10-15 mins at a time.
After 1 week, most of the swelling should have come down. If you received stiches, they may be removed during this time, ensure to follow your dentists' instructions.
At this point you can reintroduce more solid foods into your diet, however it is still best to avoid eating hard/crunchy foods as this may cause some pain or discomfort.
You should be able to return to your regular oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing without special precautions. After 3 months any lingering sensitivity or discomfort should resolve. If you have any concerns, you can always contact your dentist.
Anaesthesia is used during the procedure to numb the area, so you should not feel pain during the extraction. Post-procedure pain can often be managed with over-the-counter pain killers or those prescribed by your dentist.
On average, a single wisdom tooth extraction typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour. If multiple wisdom teeth need to be removed during the same procedure, the total time may be longer.
Most people can return to work/school within a day or two. However, It is advisable to rest for at least the first 24 hours after the procedure.
Similar to regular tooth extractions, after your procedure you should be on a soft-food diet for as long as your dentist recommends. This is to avoid foods from irritating the extraction site and causing more issues.
If you are not sure what foods to eat, here are some good options:
The recovery time differs between individuals, however typically it takes from up to a few days to a week for the initial healing and complete healings can take up to a few weeks.
Here at Notting Hill Dental Clinic we believe in being transparent with our prices and we regularly update our fees list to ensure you have up to date information on how much our procedures cost.
Additionally, our dentists will always confirm costs with you to ensure you are happy to proceed.