How Painful Is Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Less than most people fear. The removal itself is done under anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure but not pain. The soreness comes afterwards, usually peaking over the first two or three days, and is manageable with ordinary painkillers for a straightforward case.
Wisdom tooth removal has a worse reputation than it deserves. Most of the dread is about the unknown, so if you are weighing up wisdom tooth removal in London, here is a straight account of what the procedure feels like, what recovery is really like, and when a wisdom tooth needs to come out at all.
Why wisdom teeth cause trouble
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to arrive, usually between seventeen and twenty-five. By then there is often no room left for them. They can come through at an angle, get stuck against the tooth in front, or only partly erupt and trap food and bacteria. That is when pain, infection and crowding start, and when removal gets discussed.
Does it hurt during the procedure?
No, not if it is done properly. The area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic, and for more complex cases sedation or a general anaesthetic is an option. You may feel pressure and movement, which can be strange, but you should not feel pain. If you are anxious, say so, because the sedation options exist for exactly that reason.
The options for comfort
- Local anaesthetic. Numbs the area completely. You are awake but feel no pain, only pressure.
- Sedation. Keeps you relaxed and drowsy, and most people remember little of it afterwards.
- General anaesthetic. Kept for the most complex extractions, where you are fully asleep.
What recovery really feels like
This is where the discomfort lives, and for most people it is very manageable. The first two to three days are the peak, with some swelling and soreness, then it settles over the following week. A simple extraction is often far milder than expected. A deeply impacted tooth takes a bit more recovering from, which is worth knowing going in.
The first few days
- Rest. Take it easy for the first couple of days and keep your head propped up.
- Ice. A cold pack against the cheek helps with swelling early on.
- Soft food. Soups, yoghurt and mashed food while things heal, and no straws, since the suction can dislodge the clot that is doing the healing.
- Gentle salt-water rinses. After the first day, to keep the area clean without disturbing it.
When a wisdom tooth should come out
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing. If it has come through cleanly, sits comfortably and you can keep it clean, it can usually stay. Removal is for teeth that are impacted, repeatedly infected, decayed beyond repair, or causing problems for the tooth next door. A scan and an examination settle it, rather than a rule of thumb.
Wisdom tooth removal in London: what to expect from us
If a wisdom tooth is giving you grief, the first step is an assessment, usually with an X-ray, to see exactly how the tooth is sitting. From there our team talks you through whether it needs to come out, which anaesthetic options suit you, and what recovery will look like for your particular case. Good wisdom tooth removal in London is as much about clear information beforehand as it is about the procedure itself.
We are at 2 Grosvenor Gardens, Fourth Floor, in Belgravia, central London. Call 0203 858 0068 or book through bostonorthodontics.co.uk. Interest-free payment plans over up to 12 months are available.
Frequently asked questions about wisdom tooth removal in London
How much does wisdom tooth removal in London cost?
It depends on how the tooth is sitting, since a simple extraction and a deeply impacted one are different jobs. You will get a written quote after an assessment, and interest-free finance over up to 12 months is available.
How long does the procedure take?
A simple extraction often takes twenty minutes to an hour. More complex cases take longer, and we will give you a realistic idea beforehand.
Will I be awake?
That is up to you and the case. Many people have it done under local anaesthetic and are awake but pain-free. Sedation and general anaesthetic are there for more complex or anxious cases.
When can I go back to work?
Most people are back to normal within two to three days after a simple extraction, and take a little longer after an impacted one. Avoid heavy exercise for about a week.
What is dry socket, and how do I avoid it?
It is when the healing clot is lost too early, which can be painful. Avoiding straws, smoking and vigorous rinsing in the first few days is the best prevention, and we go through the aftercare with you.
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