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| Anesthesia will permit the removal of your wisdom teeth with little or no discomfort. |
What to Expect During Surgery
1. Anesthesia
Modern anesthesia technology now makes it possible to perform even complex surgery in the dental office with little or no discomfort. During surgery, one or more of the following is used to control pain and anxiety: local anesthesia that numbs the surgical area; nitrous oxide-oxygen (sometimes called "laughing gas") to relax you; intravenous sedation for relaxation; and general anesthesia that puts you to sleep. Your surgeon will fully explain the type of anesthesia that is most appropriate for your needs.
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| Anesthesia will permit the removal of your wisdom teeth with little or no discomfort. |
2. The Surgical Procedure
The method used to remove your wisdom teeth will depend on various factors, for example, the position of the teeth; the length of curvature of the tooth roots; the thickness of the bone surrounding the teeth; and so on. If the teeth have fully erupted, it is possible to simply remove each tooth intact from its socket in the bone, using forceps or other instruments designed for this purpose. If gum tissue is covering the tooth, an incision will be required to turn. back the gum and expose the tooth. Likewise, if bone covers the tooth, the surgeon will remove sufficient bone to expose the tooth and allow its removal.
If an incision through the gum tissue is needed to gain access to an impacted tooth, the surgeon may place some sutures (stitches) at the end of the procedure to hold the tissue together and aid healing. These stitches may dissolve on their own after surgery, or you may have to return to the office for their removal.
| The surgical procedure used to remove your wisdom teeth will take up to one hour, although this varies according to each case. |
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3. Immediately Following Surgery
If your surgery was performed in the dental office or hospital outpatient facility, you will probably rest for some time before you are driven home by your companion. During this "recovery" time the surgeon or an assistant will monitor your condition and make sure you are ready to leave.