During your regular checkup, we may determine that you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted. The procedure can often be done in our office; however, if you have any infections, surgery will usually be delayed until the infection has cleared up. We may have you take antibiotics to help heal the infection.
Before removing a wisdom tooth, we will administer local anesthesia to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) oral sedation, or both, is usually used to relieve stress during surgery, especially if several or all of your wisdom teeth will be removed at the same time. Your dentist will likely recommend that you refrain from eating or drinking after midnight on the night before surgery, to prepare for the oral sedation. Sometimes, we may need to use general anesthesia.
To remove the wisdom tooth, we will open up the gum tissue over the tooth and remove any bone covering the tooth. Your dentist will separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and then extract the tooth. Sometimes, the dentist will cut the tooth into smaller pieces to make removal easier.
After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches. Some stitches dissolve over time, while others have to be removed after a few days. Your dentist will inform you whether your stitches need removal. A folded cotton gauze pad placed over the wound will help stop the bleeding.