Has your dentist recommended having your wisdom teeth removed? Here is everything you need to know about your third molars—those famous back teeth that are usually the last to come in (or not;) and that often severely lack the space needed to erupt properly.
What are wisdom teeth?
Known as “20-year teeth” in Turkey, or “love teeth” in Korea, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow in humans. Most of the time, they erupt into the oral cavity between the ages of 18 and 25, as the rearmost molars. Their name therefore comes from the “advanced” age at which they erupt. Normally, each person has four wisdom teeth, which are already in place before birth. However, some people do not have all four, or even any at all.
A long time ago, these teeth served a purpose. They enabled prehistoric humans to chew raw meat and were undoubtedly a major asset to their survival. However, with the advent of cooking, wisdom teeth are no longer useful today. This explains why our jaws have become smaller and smaller over the course of human development and, as a result, there is not enough space in the jaw for them to erupt. Your dentist can determine how many wisdom teeth you have and whether they have enough room to grow using a panoramic X-ray.
Should wisdom teeth be removed?
1. Wisdom tooth surgery in case of insufficient space
Wisdom teeth do not necessarily need to be removed. However, very often there is too little space, or they grow sideways or at an angle and therefore cannot erupt normally. They may then press against existing teeth and damage them. Wisdom tooth surgery may also be recommended for orthodontic reasons if newly emerging wisdom teeth threaten the success of the treatment.
are often the reason for wisdom tooth extraction.
2. Wisdom tooth surgery in case of risk of inflammation
It often happens that wisdom teeth only partially erupt and are still covered by a small amount of gum tissue. Underneath, many bacteria can accumulate and cause persistent underlying inflammation. This not only puts stress on the immune system, but can also lead to acute inflammation accompanied by severe pain and swelling. In the presence of such persistent inflammation, wisdom teeth must be removed.
3. Wisdom tooth surgery in case of tooth decay
Wisdom teeth are difficult to brush, even when they have fully erupted. Because they are located so far back in the mouth, they are hard to clean with a toothbrush. This is why they are very often affected by severe decay, which also supports their extraction.
4. The myth of shifting other teeth
It is commonly believed that the eruption of wisdom teeth can have a negative effect on the entire dentition and bite. This is not possible, because the force created by the eruption of wisdom teeth is far too weak to move all the other teeth. When a wisdom tooth needs to come in, it will do so, and if there is insufficient space, it will result in impaction (blocked eruption) or eruption-related issues such as inflammation or pain.
Which doctors perform the extraction?
You can have your wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon, a maxillofacial surgeon, or a dentist. Choose a practitioner who already has experience with extractions and can therefore respond quickly and appropriately if the procedure takes an unexpected turn. You may also avoid the costs of general anesthesia.
Procedure duration: three options
Whether wisdom teeth can be removed on an outpatient basis during a relatively short procedure or need to be removed during a somewhat longer operation depends on whether they have already erupted properly or are still hidden in the jaw.
In addition, it is possible to remove all four wisdom teeth in a single procedure, or only the teeth on one side and, a few weeks later, the teeth on the other side.
These two factors determine how severe your pain will be after wisdom tooth extraction.
First option: short procedure under local anesthesia
If your wisdom teeth have already largely or fully erupted, they can usually be removed very quickly and without complications. The dentist, oral surgeon, or maxillofacial surgeon administers local anesthesia using a syringe. Only once you no longer feel any pain are the teeth removed using forceps.
Second option: longer operation under local anesthesia.
If the wisdom teeth are still hidden in the jaw or are very tilted, the procedure is more complex and is performed by an oral or maxillofacial surgeon. As a rule, the procedure is also carried out under local anesthesia. Since gum tissue and bone must be removed to access the wisdom teeth, you should expect mild pain or swelling after the procedure.
Third option: wisdom tooth extraction under general anesthesia.
In rare cases, the surgeon recommends general anesthesia, usually only if the procedure is unusually complex. Anxious patients who fear severe pain sometimes also opt for general anesthesia.
Cost of wisdom tooth extraction in Switzerland
The type of procedure required will determine the cost of the extraction.
You should expect CHF 120 to 350 per tooth, as well as a recent panoramic X-ray (CHF 180). If the tooth is very close to the nerve, the surgeon must check whether there is direct contact. A 3D scan is then recommended. An accurate estimate is provided before treatment, and you can of course spread your payments over time.
Risks of the procedure
Like other surgical procedures, wisdom tooth surgery involves certain risks, which are very low in most cases. The following risks may exist: after the operation, bacteria can enter the wound and cause inflammation. Very rarely, temporary nerve damage may occur, resulting in tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation in the lower lip.
What pain should you expect after the operation?
Some patients experience pain after the procedure, while others do not. Cheek swelling is also possible. The likelihood of pain depends largely on the extent of the procedure.
If you experience more severe pain after the procedure, it is recommended to take painkillers. However, please note: if you wish to take painkillers, you should first ask your treating dentist or surgeon which medication is appropriate, because the active ingredient in aspirin, for example, increases the risk of subsequent bleeding.
After a few days, the pain should subside. If you still feel pain a few days after a wisdom tooth operation and it does not decrease, you should consult your dentist again.
Recovery after the operation
Rest for two to three days after the operation. If necessary, you can reduce pain and swelling by holding a small ice pack on the area for about 20 minutes. Take a break for the same amount of time before repeating. It is also recommended to clean your teeth after the procedure with a soft toothbrush.
After the procedure, you should also avoid hard foods as well as hot drinks, coffee, and alcohol for a few days, and instead consume only soft foods, dairy products, ice cream, or milkshakes.
