Wisdom tooth extraction – answers to common questions that should offer some relief
Wisdom tooth extraction makes many people nervous. There is no need to worry: wisdom tooth extraction does not hurt and, if necessary, anxiety can be relieved with the help of various medications. The procedure itself is over sooner than you think.
Wisdom tooth extraction in a nutshell
- Wisdom teeth should be removed if they cannot fully erupt, are difficult to clean or are infected.
- The erupted wisdom tooth is removed by levering and pulling, the unerupted wisdom tooth is removed in surgery.
- Don't be afraid of pain! You will always receive a proper anaesthetic.
For wisdom tooth removal, make an appointment for a dental examination and get an accurate estimate of the necessary procedures regarding the removal of your wisdom tooth.
Book an appointment for a dental check-upWisdom tooth – symptoms?
Wisdom teeth can cause a wide range of symptoms:
- localised pain and swelling of the surrounding gums, pericoronitis
- an unpleasant taste in the mouth or bad breath
- oozing
- in the most severe cases you might not be able to open your mouth properly, swallowing may be difficult, and the swelling may spread to the cheek or neck
- general symptoms such as fever
You may suffer with wisdom tooth trouble even if it has not erupted. An unerupted wisdom tooth may be connected to the oral cavity through a deepened gingival pocket in the last erupted tooth, where oral bacteria can enter the jawbone and cause an infection.
Wisdom tooth extraction – when to remove, when not to remove?
Wisdom teeth usually cause problems because there is not enough space for them to erupt.
Your dentist will remove a wisdom tooth when:
- the wisdom tooth does not fit properly in the mouth
- an unerupted wisdom tooth is infected with inflammation
- it is difficult to clean the wisdom tooth
- the wisdom tooth has not erupted or is not causing problems, but is connected to the oral cavity through the gingival pocket of the adjacent tooth
- an unerupted wisdom tooth is associated with a jaw cyst change
The wisdom tooth does not need to be removed if:
- you have no symptoms and the wisdom tooth is not inflamed
- it is fully erupted, cleanable and beneficial to the bite
- it is completely inside the bone, and there are no pathological changes, such as a jaw cyst
However, your dentist may recommend that you have an asymptomatic wisdom tooth removed as a precaution if they think that there will be problems with it.
For wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will carry out a clinical examination and take a new x-ray of your teeth. The x-ray is important when the dentist is assessing the severity of the extraction.
Wisdom teeth – when to see a dentist?
If your wisdom tooth is showing symptoms, book an appointment with our dentist.
It's worth coming in for a wisdom teeth check-up around the age of twenty, even if you don't have any symptoms. Typically, wisdom teeth tend to erupt around this time. If problems are expected, it is often easier to have a wisdom tooth removed at a younger age than at a later age.
Book an appointment for a dental check-upWisdom tooth extraction by pulling
If your wisdom tooth is fully erupted, your dentist will leverage and pull it out:
- You get a good anaesthetic.
- The dentist leverages and pulls out the wisdom tooth.
- The dentist puts a sheath in the extraction cavity to form a blood clot, and the cavity begins to heal.
- Standard wisdom tooth extraction is usually quick and takes a few minutes or no more than 15 minutes if the roots of the tooth are not difficult. In that case, the dentist will usually split the tooth into sections before pulling it out.
- Usually one visit to the dentist is enough.
Wisdom tooth extraction – surgery
If the wisdom tooth is not fully visible, but the dentist decides that it should be removed, the solution is wisdom tooth surgery. There is no need to worry about that either. Here's how it works:
1. A preliminary examination
Before surgery, it is advisable to have an examination. The dentist will assess whether the tooth needs to be removed and ensure that there are adequate x-rays of the tooth. You will also be informed about what to expect after the surgery. Let us know if you are scared and would like a sedative pre-medication.
2. Wisdom tooth surgery
- The dentist will carefully anaesthetise the area around the tooth.
- Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, the dentist will make a gum incision.
- The dentist uses a drill to remove the jawbone covering the tooth. Often, the wisdom tooth is split into several pieces so that it is easier to remove.
- Finally, the dentist stitches the gum wound closed.
- Depending on the degree of difficulty, wisdom tooth surgery takes 15–45 minutes.
- After the operation, your dentist will advise you on how to use painkillers and possibly antibiotics.
3. Follow-up
After the operation, it is usually a good idea to have a follow-up check-up and suture removal, even if the dentist has used fusible sutures. This is because stitches collect bacterial plaque and can irritate the wound. In addition, food particles can accumulate in the extraction cavity and need to be rinsed out.
You're in good hands at Hammas Mehiläinen: if you should have any problems after your surgery, such as bleeding or fever, you can call your dentist for help.
What if you are scared of a wisdom tooth extraction?
Almost everyone is at least a little nervous about wisdom tooth removal. We'll always take your anxiety and dental fears seriously.
- Pain. Wisdom tooth extraction shouldn't hurt – and it won't hurt. Both wisdom tooth extraction and surgery are painless procedures, as we always ensure careful anaesthesia.
- Remedies for anxiety. If you're scared you can, for example, receive a relaxing pre-medication. Procedures can also be performed under anaesthesia – especially if you are having several procedures at once.
How long does it hurt after wisdom teeth removal?
After standard wisdom tooth extraction, you will probably feel pain for a day or two. Usually, a normal painkiller will help. If the pain starts again after 3-4 days, it is probably due to a dry extraction cavity from which the blood clot has disappeared. You should then contact your dentist.
Wisdom tooth surgery is often followed by 2–4 days of pain and swelling, and it is difficult to open the mouth. If normal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol are not enough, you can get help from more powerful painkillers. You will often need 2–3 days of sick leave, depending on your job.
The specialist interviewed for the article was our dental specialist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon Kimmo Vähätalo.
Wisdom tooth extraction – price?
The cost of wisdom tooth extraction depends on the degree of difficulty of the operation. Removal without surgery is obviously cheaper than removal with surgery. Your treating dentist will give you an estimate, so there are no nasty surprises. Browse the price list of Hammas Mehiläinen.
Remember, that the flexible payment options of Hammas Mehiläinen will protect you. For example,you can split the costs into several instalments.
Learn about flexible payment optionsService | Mobile Benefit price | Hinta-arvio |
---|---|---|
Dental check-up | 51.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 81.00 € | |
Dental check-up for patients with dental fear | 88.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 118.00 € | |
Lasten ja nuorten hammastarkastus Hinnat sisältävät poliklinikkamaksun (33,90 €). Varaa lasten ja nuorten hammastarkastus Prices 165.75–232.75 €, without Kela reimbursement 185.90–252.90 € | from 165.75 € Without Kela reimbursement from 185.90 € | |
Dental X-ray of the teeth and jaws | Mobile Benefit 95.00 € The price with a doctor's referral after Kela compensation is €80. | 106.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 115.00 € |
Tartar removal 30–45 minute appointment with a dental hygienist. Prices 126.00–171.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 134.00–189.00 € | from 126.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 134.00 € | |
Dental fillings 1–3 surfaces. Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
Ceramic filling of the tooth 1–3 surfaces. Prices 271.00–693.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 271.00–750.00 € | from 271.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 271.00 € | |
Dental ceramic crown Laboratory costs are not included in the price estimate. Prices 598.00–755.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 598.00–755.00 € | from 598.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 598.00 € | |
Chipped tooth Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
Tooth extraction Prices 105.00–709.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 115.00–771.00 € | from 105.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 115.00 € | |
Tooth whitening Price estimate given at the free consultation appointment. Prices 95.00–436.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 95.00–436.00 € | from 95.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 95.00 € | |
Whitening consultation appointment Includes an individual price estimate for teeth whitening. | Free Kela reimbursement deducted from the price | |
Anaesthesia Prices 36.00–37.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 39.00–40.00 € | from 36.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 39.00 € |
Frequently asked questions about wisdom tooth extraction
Your dentist will tell you what to do before tooth extraction. Often they will prescribe a painkiller and sometimes an antibiotic for you to take an hour before the tooth extraction.
- You will receive written instructions for aftercare.
- Wait until the anaesthetic has worn off before you eat or bite anything.
- Avoid hot food and drinks for the first day.
- Avoid exercise and other physical activities for 3–4 days.
- If necessary, rinse your mouth with a special rinsing solution.
- For contact details of the treating dentist, see the aftercare instructions.
In the case of a standard wisdom tooth extraction, you will rarely need sick leave.
After wisdom tooth surgery, your dentist will prescribe a period of sick leave if necessary: a day or two in addition to the day of the operation.
Post-operative pain is usually quite manageable with painkillers. If the anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol are not enough, you can get more effective painkillers.