How is it performed? of Wisdom tooth removal

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

You will first be given a local anaesthetic by injection (most commonly lidocaine) to numb the tooth and surrounding area. If you are particularly anxious about the procedure, your dentist or surgeon may give you some medicine to relax you before it begins. This may come in the form of a tablet (diazepam or temazepam) or gas (nitrous oxide) that is inhaled through a mask. The area to be injected may also be rubbed with a numbing gel.

A general anaesthetic (which causes complete loss of sensation in the body) can be requested but usually only if you are having the procedure in hospital.

If the tooth has not come through the gum, it will be necessary to make a small cut in the gum to access it. A small piece of the bone covering the tooth will also need to be removed. The tooth may be broken into smaller parts to make it easier to extract through the opening. If the tooth has partially or fully broken through the gum it will be easier to remove, as there is no need for an incision. It may be necessary to use self-dissolving stitches to seal the gum.

You may feel some pressure just before the tooth is removed. This is because your dentist or surgeon must widen the tooth socket by rocking the tooth back and forth before taking it out.

Surgery to remove wisdom teeth should not be painful as the area should be fully numb before the operation begins. If you do begin to feel some pain during the procedure, let your dentist know immediately and you will be given more anaesthetic.