Wisdom Teeth Removal and Oral Surgery

Wisdom teeth removal is a fairly common oral surgery procedure. However, the removal of wisdom teeth prior to eruption involves a surgical procedure that is far from a simple tooth extraction (removal). Some patients may want nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or sedation to make their wisdom teeth removal a more comfortable experience. Following extraction of a tooth, a blood clot forms in the socket, usually within an hour. Bleeding is common in this first hour, but its likelihood decreases quickly as time passes, and bleeding has usually stopped after 24 hours. The raw open wound overlying the dental socket takes about one week to heal. Thereafter, the socket will gradually fill in with soft gum tissue over a period of about one to two months. Final closure of the socket with bony remodeling can take six months or more.

For most complicated cases that involve fully impacted teeth or teeth that cannot be easily accessed, a referral to an Oral Surgeon will be recommended.