Wisdom tooth removal by your dentist

Wisdom teeth only form after the tooth change is complete. They owe their name to the fact that they usually only emerge from the gums in adulthood. Each person normally has four wisdom teeth, but there can also be only two or even five or more.

Wisdom tooth removal by the dentist is a frequently performed surgical procedure in which one or more wisdom teeth removed for medical reasons.

If you notice pain, inflammation or other impairments in your wisdom teeth, contact us. It’s best to call us directly at 041 711 77 25. Your dentists in Zug are at your disposal in the event of an emergency and will provide you with the appropriate care!

When do wisdom teeth cause complications?

Not everyone’s wisdom teeth fit into the row of teeth without problems. If wisdom teeth do not have enough space to erupt or are crooked, they can press against other teeth or cause pain.

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Various problems can arise:

  • Inflammation of the periodontium and jaw bone
  • Increased risk of tooth decay and gum inflammation of the adjacent teeth
  • Difficult oral hygiene
  • Inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa
  • Tooth displacements
  • Formation of cysts in the jawbone

A wisdom tooth can also cause facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia) or general illnesses. If you experience one or more of these problems, your wisdom teeth should be removed by your dentist in Zug.

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Do all wisdom teeth have to be removed at once?

No, often not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, and certainly not all at once, unless there are clear reasons for doing so. Surgically removing all wisdom teeth in one session is only appropriate if there are signs of inflammation or infection of the teeth or surrounding tissue or if other acute problems in the oral cavity are present or clearly foreseeable.

Wisdom tooth removal: dentist or maxillofacial surgeon?

If you are wondering who removes wisdom teeth, it depends on the individual situation: In most cases, wisdom tooth removal is performed by your dentist, especially if it is not a rare, major procedure (which may also require general anaesthesia).

However, if the procedure is very complex, it may be necessary for us to refer you to a maxillofacial surgeon. This is especially the case if the wisdom tooth is at a very awkward angle in the jaw or is in direct connection to important nerves or blood vessels. It is also advisable to consult a specialist in maxillofacial surgery for major surgical procedures in the case of extensive jaw problems or if the patient additionally has serious general medical problems.

Orthopantomografie (OPT)

Process of wisdom tooth removal

Using a previously taken panoramic x-ray (OPG) – or, if necessary, a three-dimensional digital volume tomography (DVT) – your dentist can examine the position of the teeth in the jaw and plan the procedure accordingly.

Wisdom tooth removal is usually performed under local anesthesia. There are only rare cases in which general anesthesia is necessary. The operation takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of wisdom teeth to be removed and the complexity of the case.

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During wisdom tooth removal surgery, your dentist will make a small incision in the gums to access the jawbone and remove the wisdom tooth. Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to remove some of the bone around the wisdom tooth in order to extract the tooth. Finally, the wound is covered with a medical tamponade and, if necessary, stitched.

After about a week you will have a follow-up check with your dentist. He makes sure that the wound is healing well and that there is no inflammation or signs of infection are present. The tamponade is removed as well as any stitches if the wound has been stitched.

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Side effects and complications

After wisdom teeth removal, most patients experience mild to moderate pain and swelling in the area of ​​the procedure, but this subsides as healing progresses. If the pain is severe or persistent, patients can take a painkiller, but it should not be a blood-thinning medication such as acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. in aspirin, etc.).

Minor bleeding is also possible, but harmless. However, if unexpectedly heavy bleeding occurs, it must be stopped. This is best done with a swab or gauze bandage that the patient can bite on. If necessary, this can also be done with a clean piece of cotton material (such as a handkerchief). Usually, the bleeding should stop after 20 to 30 minutes at the latest.

Behavioral recommendations before the procedure…

To avoid complications when removing wisdom teeth, we recommend not using painkillers for prevention. Taking certain medications can affect the procedure itself and subsequent wound healing.

You should also avoid coffee, tea, alcohol and smoking at least 24 hours before the operation, as caffeine and alcohol dilate the blood vessels and can cause more bleeding during the operation. Nicotine, on the other hand, has a vasoconstrictive effect and thereby increases blood pressure. This can also have a detrimental effect on treatment.

…and what you need to consider after the operation

After wisdom teeth have been removed by your dentist, good wound healing is the top priority. In the first few hours after the procedure, you can cool the cheek with a gel pad to prevent possible swelling.

During the first two to three days after wisdom teeth removal, you should avoid physical exertion such as exercise, etc., to avoid unnecessarily increasing your blood pressure.
You should also limit the consumption of coffee, tea, alcohol and smoking as much as possible and we recommend eating soft food during this time and avoiding hard and sticky foods in order not to irritate the wound.

When cleaning your teeth, please make sure to clean the wound and the surrounding gums very carefully with the toothbrush and not to use mouthwash. You can of course brush the rest of your teeth as usual.

With these measures you can make an important contribution to rapid and good wound healing!

Do you have any further questions about wisdom tooth removal?

Usually, wisdom tooth removal is a safe procedure overall and rarely causes complications. Depending on the individual case, the removal of wisdom teeth helps to prevent pain, infection, tooth displacement, cysts, etc. in the mouth and to maintain the health of your teeth and jaw. If you have any questions about the condition of your wisdom teeth, please contact us. Your dentists in Zug will check individually whether wisdom tooth extraction is advisable for you and will be happy to provide you with information about all aspects of the treatment.

Contact us for a bright & healthy smile!