Leaflet Details
| Title | Removal of Mandibular Wisdom Teeth: What to Expect |
| Department | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |
| Author(s) | Youssef Akoush |
| Review Date | March 2026 |
| Next Review | March 2028 |
| Download | A4 Handout PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop, usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties. They sit at the very back of the mouth.
Sometimes there is not enough space for them to come through normally. When this happens, the tooth may remain partly or completely buried in the gum or jawbone. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth.
Why are wisdom teeth removed?
In line with national guidance, wisdom teeth are not removed routinely. Removal is recommended only when there is disease or a high risk of disease.
Common reasons include:
- repeated infection of the gum around the tooth (pericoronitis),
- decay affecting the wisdom tooth or the tooth in front of it,
- gum disease around the wisdom tooth,
- cysts or other pathology associated with the tooth,
- pain or damage that is likely to get worse.
If a wisdom tooth is healthy and symptom-free, removal is usually not advised.
Are there alternatives to removal?
Depending on your situation, alternatives may include:
- pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen,
- antibiotics and mouth rinses for short-term treatment of infection,
- removal of the gum flap over the tooth (operculectomy),
- removal of the crown only (coronectomy) if the roots are very close to a nerve.
Your surgeon will discuss whether any of these options are suitable for you.
What happens if I do not have the tooth removed?
If a problematic wisdom tooth is not removed:
- symptoms may return or worsen,
- repeated infections may occur,
- there is a risk of more serious infection or damage to nearby teeth.
In some cases, other dental or jaw treatments cannot go ahead until the wisdom tooth is dealt with.
Anaesthetic options
Most wisdom teeth are removed using:
- Local anaesthetic (the area is numbed), or
- Local anaesthetic with intravenous sedation (you feel relaxed and drowsy).
A general anaesthetic may be recommended for complex cases or multiple extractions. This is usually done as a day case.
What does the procedure involve?
The procedure usually takes between 10 minutes and one hour, depending on difficulty.
If the tooth is impacted, the surgeon may need to:
- make a small cut in the gum,
- remove a small amount of bone,
- divide the tooth into sections to remove it safely.
Dissolvable stitches are commonly used.
Possible complications
Most people heal without any serious problems. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are some risks.
Common and temporary effects include pain, swelling (often worst after 2-3 days), bruising and difficulty opening the mouth. These usually improve within 1-2 weeks.
Less common but important risks include:
- Dry socket, which causes increasing pain a few days after surgery
- Infection
- Temporary numbness or tingling of the lip, chin or tongue and a change or loss of taste due to nerve irritation
- (Rarely, this can include burning, stabbing and shooting pain. Any damage is usually temporary. However, it can be take up to 18months to fully recover and sometime the damage is permanent.)
- Retained root fragments
- Damage to nearby teeth
- Sinus problems and breaking tuberosity (for upper wisdom teeth)
Very rarely: fracture of the jaw.
For further information, please visit the following link:
https://www.baos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MF01-full-3.pdf
This leaflet provides general information only. It does not replace a discussion with your surgeon. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss alternatives before giving consent.
