Wisdom teeth are one of the most common reasons patients are referred for oral surgery. If you've been told you need one or more removed, here's what the process actually involves, from diagnosis through to recovery.
Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to develop, usually appearing between the late teens and mid-twenties. Many people have enough room for them to come through normally and cause no issues at all. For others, there simply isn't enough space in the jaw, and the tooth becomes impacted, meaning it's unable to erupt fully or in a healthy position.
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to:
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out, many are left in place if they're not causing problems. Removal is generally recommended when a tooth is causing symptoms, has a high risk of future complications, or is affecting an adjacent tooth.
Your assessment will typically involve a clinical examination and an X-ray (often a CBCT scan for more complex positions), which allows us to see exactly how the tooth is positioned relative to the jaw and, most importantly, the inferior dental nerve, the nerve responsible for sensation in your lower lip and chin.
Understanding this relationship is one of the most important parts of specialist assessment, as it directly affects both the surgical approach and the small risk of temporary or, rarely, permanent nerve disturbance.
Most wisdom tooth removals are carried out under local anaesthetic, meaning you're awake but the area is completely numb. For patients who feel anxious, or where the surgery is more involved, IV sedation is available to help you feel calm and relaxed throughout.
The procedure itself typically involves:
Most straightforward cases take between 20 and 45 minutes, though more complex impactions can take longer.
During the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any pain, but you will feel pushing, pressure and vibration. If you do feel anything more, then simply raise your hand and your surgeon will stop. Afterwards, it's normal to experience some discomfort, swelling, and stiffness for a few days as the area heals. We'll provide detailed pain relief guidance, and most patients manage well with over-the-counter medication.
We'll cover aftercare in much more detail in a dedicated post, including exactly what to eat and how to care for the extraction site.
You're far from alone, dental anxiety around wisdom tooth surgery is extremely common. If the thought of the procedure worries you, IV sedation is a genuinely effective option that allows you to remain conscious but deeply relaxed, often with limited memory of the procedure afterwards. We'll be publishing a full guide to sedation shortly.
While many wisdom teeth can be managed in general practice, cases involving deep impaction, unusual root shapes, or close proximity to the inferior dental nerve benefit from specialist assessment and surgical technique. If your dentist has referred you to us, it's because they want you to have the safest possible outcome for your specific case.
Concerned about a wisdom tooth, or been referred for removal? Book a consultation with our specialist team to discuss your options.
This article is written for general information and does not replace individual clinical advice. Please consult our specialist team or your own dentist about your specific circumstances.
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