The most common surgical procedure carried out in the UK is wisdom teeth removal surgery (or third molar extraction). Wisdom teeth grow at the back of your gums where 28 adult teeth are. Approximately 6% of people in the UK undergo wisdom surgery each year on average. Wisdom tooth extraction can be difficult because it requires a lot more precision than other types of dental surgeries due to its location in the mouth.
The main reason wisdom teeth are removed is because there often isn’t enough space in the mouth for them to grow properly. When wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to grow, they can become impacted and cause pain, swelling, and other complications. Wisdom tooth removal is a relatively simple surgery that can be done under local or general anesthesia. Because wisdom teeth are the last permanent molars to grow in, they can cause problems for wisdom tooth extraction patients by damaging existing teeth or creating spaces which allow other teeth to shift.
The recovery period after wisdom tooth surgery is fairly short and there shouldn’t be any major complications. The pain of wisdom tooth removal usually subsides within a few hours to a few days, and swelling usually goes down within a week. However, it is important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by your dentist to ensure a speedy and complication-free recovery.Â
If you are experiencing pain or swelling after wisdom tooth surgery, please consult your dentist as soon as possible. Remember that wisdom tooth removal is a relatively simple surgery, and it shouldn’t take more than a week for you to resume your regular activities after wisdom tooth extraction.Â