A lack of sensation around the mouth is normal after a tooth extraction and may last up to 12 hours. Swelling is also common and should subside within 10 days. Immediately after tooth extraction, apply an ice pack to the facial areas near the extraction site. Tooth extractions are often necessary when other treatments, such as endodontics or dental fillings, cannot solve the dental problem.
Post-surgery, you may experience some discomfort, swelling, tenderness, or pain. This is usually due to the inflammation of the gums and should last for about three days. Swelling can last up to two weeks, depending on the procedure and individual. In an ideal situation, the swelling should improve after a few days with proper medication and personal care. If wisdom tooth extraction is planned based on the school (or university) calendar, we have access to SOL soft tissue laser technology to remove excess gum tissue around wisdom teeth (operculectomy) and facilitate cleaning, which could avoid the need for extraction.
Fortunately, removing wisdom teeth isn't complicated or risky, and wisdom teeth aren't particularly useful. We carefully examine your teeth to determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted or if you need an emergency wisdom tooth extraction. People often avoid emergency wisdom tooth extraction due to fear of recovery time and downtime. We'll only recommend having a tooth extracted if it's in the best interest of your overall smile and individual needs. For any oral surgery (such as the removal of a wisdom tooth or bone graft), you may be advised to rest for about a week to fully recover.
