Reviewed by a licensed dentistTreatment: Wisdom teeth removalCode: D7220–D7240Question: Trade-offs
Wisdom teeth removal: risks and benefits
The short answer
Removal ends the problems a wisdom tooth is causing, or might cause, for good. It's surgery, though: expect several days of swelling and soreness, and there are small risks like dry socket and, rarely, lasting numbness.
Side by side
Benefits
- Stops repeated gum infections around a partly erupted tooth
- Protects the molar in front from decay and bone loss
- Removes the chance of future problems with that tooth
- Usually smoother to recover from in your late teens or twenties than later in life
Risks and downsides
- Swelling, soreness, and some bruising, usually worst for two or three days and easing within about a week
- Dry socket: a painful spot where the blood clot is lost, in roughly 4 in 100 extractions, more often for lower wisdom teeth. Smoking and using straws in the first days raise the risk
- Numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue from nerve injury. Usually temporary, rarely permanent. The risk is higher when roots are close to the nerve; if yours are, ask about other approaches (see Other options)
- For upper teeth, an opening into the sinus. Small ones usually heal on their own; larger ones are typically closed during the surgery. You may be asked to avoid blowing your nose for a while
- Infection, which is uncommon
- Risks from sedation or general anesthesia, if used. See Do I need to be put to sleep?
Questions to ask
- How close are my roots to the nerve?
- What's my risk of numbness, in your opinion?
- What should recovery look like, and how much time off should I plan?
- What signs after surgery mean I should call you?
- What can I do to lower my risk of dry socket?
- Before we schedule, can I get my cost in writing? (A predetermination if I'm using insurance, or a good faith estimate if I'm paying myself.)
When a second opinion makes sense
Reasonable if your roots are close to the nerve and you'd like another view on the risk, or if you're unsure the benefits outweigh the risks for teeth that aren't causing problems.