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When you have your wisdom teeth extracted, the procedure typically involves either IV sedation or full anesthesia, ensuring you do not experience any discomfort or pain. When the procedure is over, the incision sites will be sutured shut, and you will briefly be supervised in our office until you are cleared to head home.

When you leave, you will be given prescription medications to manage any lingering discomfort, along with full instructions regarding aftercare and recovery. You can anticipate a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal.

Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety. We utilize modern monitoring equipment and our staff are experienced in anesthesia techniques.

What Will I Feel Like After Wisdom Teeth Are Removed?

On the first day following your wisdom teeth removal, you can anticipate some bleeding and mild discomfort. We recommend using an old pillowcase, as you may spill a little blood on it during the night.

Some swelling can be expected, too, though the amount varies from patient to patient. The swelling usually peaks on the second day and should begin fading on the third day. The best way to mediate swelling is to use plenty of ice on the affected area on the first day. As a rule of thumb, the more ice you use the first day, the less swelling you are likely to experience on the second day.

By the third day, you may find that your jaw muscles are a little sore, making it harder to open your mouth. This is a natural response to the surgery and should resolve on its own within a few days. Applying a warm compress to your face can relax the muscles and alleviate this stiffness.

It is crucial to allow your body some time to rest and heal before resuming normal exercise and other strenuous activities. Most patients report feeling close to normal within three to five days.

Are There Any Problems After The Wisdom Teeth Are Extracted?

As with any surgical procedure, there is always a risk of complication or that something will not go according to expectations. Before your procedure, your surgeon will discuss the risks in depth with you. Some of the most common risks with wisdom teeth removal include infection, dry socket, and nerve damage.

After your surgery, we will go over your aftercare instructions with you, and we urge you to follow them carefully. Following the aftercare instructions is one of the best ways to minimize the risk of complications and expedite your healing process. If you have questions about these instructions or concerns about your healing process, we invite you to contact our office directly.

Damage to Sensory Nerve:

One area of particular concern is the nerve within the lower jawbone that supplies feeling to the lower lip, chin, and tongue. This nerve is positioned near the roots of the lower wisdom teeth. Occasionally, removing the wisdom teeth results in damage to this nerve, specifically among older patients.

When your local anesthesia wears off, it is normal to experience a tingling or numbing sensation in the lower lip, chin, or tongue. Most often, this is a temporary condition and will resolve on its own within a matter of weeks, sometimes months. In rare instances, it may be a permanent condition, which is something you should be aware of before having your procedure.

Sinus Communication:

Another potential issue is what is known as sinus communication. Removing the upper wisdom teeth may cause an opening between your mouth and the sinus. Usually, this opening will close on its own, though we may provide you with some special aftercare instructions to minimize complications.

Dry Sockets:

A common problem associated with wisdom teeth removal is dry sockets. This occurs due to premature loss of a blood clot in the empty tooth socket, and is particularly common among patients who either smoke or take birth control pills.

Dry sockets can cause pain, and your prescription pain killer may not help. If you do have a dry socket, we may recommend changing your prescription or potentially placing a medicated dressing on the dry socket. Irrigation devices may also be used to help you keep food particles out of the dry socket until it has healed.

Infection:

Post-operative infections do occur in some cases, which often require an office visit and clinical examination. The surgeon will often recommend an antibiotic to clear up the infection. If you have questions about minimizing the risk of infection following wisdom teeth removal, we invite you to contact us at your convenience at (251) 990-5959.

Questions?

Please call us at Minto Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at (251) 990-5959. for any questions or concerns.