After Extraction of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom Teeth Patient Instructions
In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is performed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia), or general anesthesia. These options, as well as the surgical risks (i.e., sensory nerve damage, sinus complications), will be discussed with each patient before the procedure is performed. Once the teeth are removed, the gum may be sutured. To help control bleeding, patients should bite down on the gauze placed in the mouth. Patients will rest under our supervision in the office until they are ready to be taken home. Upon discharge a patient’s post-operative kit may include post-operative instructions, a prescription for pain medication, antibiotics, and a follow-up appointment in one week for suture removal. Should a patient have any questions, they should not hesitate to call us at our offices in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Jamestown.
Our services are provided in an environment of optimum safety. We utilize modern monitoring equipment and our staff is experienced in anesthesia techniques.
What Will It Feel Like after Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery?
On the first day after surgery, patients may experience some minor bleeding and pain. Each individual’s reaction to surgery varies, and the sensation of pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. A variable amount of swelling can be expected following the surgery. This swelling usually peaks on the third or fourth day and should begin resolving afterwards. The amount of swelling can be limited by using ice for the entire first day, as instructed. The more ice used on the first day, the less swelling a patient is likely to have on the second day. Apply the ice packs 20 minutes on then 10 minutes off. On the third day, the jaw muscles may stiffen, and may be difficult to open the mouth normally. Moist heat may be applied to the face on the third day allowing the muscles to relax more and open wider. Patients will want to limit their activities for a few days. We ask that patients follow their post-operative instructions closely. Doing so will make them as comfortable as possible during the first few days following their procedure. Please allow time for the body to begin healing before resuming an active social, academic, or athletic schedule.
Are There Any Problems after the Extraction of Wisdom Teeth?
As with any medical procedure, there can be complications or an unanticipated result. Some complications that patients undergoing wisdom tooth extraction may experience include: Damage to the sensory nerve that supplies sensation to the lips and tongue, sinus communication, infections, and dry sockets.
After the procedure, our assistants will review the post-operative instructions the person who accompanied the patient. We ask that these instructions closely, as they will make the patient the most comfortable following their procedure. If the patient was sedated, they will be comfortable and drowsy when they leave the office. Most patients prefer to go home and rest with no other physical or scholastic activities planned for a few days. With any medical procedure, there can be unexpected results. These can include delayed healing, infection, and post-operative numbness or tingling in the lip, chin, or tongue. The oral surgeon will review relevant post-operative events with each patient and answer any questions during their office visit.
Damage to Sensory Nerve:
A primary concern is a nerve within the lower jaw bone that supplies feeling to the lower lip, chin, and tongue. This nerve is frequently very close to the roots of the lower wisdom teeth. Having these teeth out between the ages of 12 and 18 usually provides shorter roots so that the nerve is not so close to the roots of these teeth. Occasionally, when the teeth are removed the nerve can become injured. This is particularly true for older patients. When local anesthesia wears off, patients may experience a tingling or numbing sensation in the lower lip, chin, or tongue. Should this occur, it is usually temporary and will resolve gradually over a period of weeks or months. On rare occasions it can result in a permanent alteration of sensation similar to having local anesthesia. Patients are informed of this risk prior to consenting to surgery.
Sinus Communication:
The upper wisdom teeth are situated close to the sinuses, and their removal can result in an opening between the mouth and the sinus. If the teeth are removed at an early age, the root formation is minimal, and this complication is very unlikely. However, if it does occur, it will usually close spontaneously. We may give special instructions to follow, such as avoid blowing your nose for two or three days following surgery. Patients can wipe their nose, but can’t blow their nose. If they have to sneeze, they should sneeze with an open mouth into a tissue. Pressure should not be created in the sinus area, which may dislodge the healing blood clot. If a patient senses this condition occurring after surgery, please contact the office. An additional procedure may RARELY be necessary to close the opening.
Dry Sockets:
Dry sockets continue to be the most common problem people experience following dental surgery. They arise due to premature loss of a blood clot in the empty tooth socket. This seems to occur with greater frequency in people who smoke or are taking birth control pills. While both jaws can be affected, they usually occur in the lower jaw on the third to fifth day. They cause a deep, dull, continuous aching on the affected side(s). Patients may first notice the pain starting in the ear radiating down towards the chin.
The symptoms frequently begin in the middle of the night, and the pain medication regimen may not help. Treatment can involve changing the prescription. Occasionally it is helpful to place a medicated dressing in the empty tooth socket. This will help decrease the pain and protect the socket from food particles. The effectiveness in alleviating the pain lasts for 24-48 hours and may require dressing changes every day or two, for five to seven days. Dressings usually are removed when a patient has been pain free for two to three days.
The dressing doesn’t aid in healing. The only reason to place a dressing is for pain control. If medication is controlling the pain, the socket will heal without a dressing. Following removal of the dressing, an irrigation device may be provided to help you to keep food particles from lodging in the extraction site.
Infection:
Occasionally, post-operative infections occur. This usually requires an office visit and clinical examination. Many times, just placing the patient on an antibiotic for one week will take care of the infection. If it persists, the area will have to be drained and cleaned. Other temporary problems you may experience in the post-operative period include stiffness of the jaws, chafing around the corners of the lips, facial bruising, and blood oozing from the extraction sites. The post-operative instruction sheet we will provide should answer many of the questions related to these more common concerns. If not, don’t hesitate to call the offices in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Jamestown.
Face & Jaw Surgery Center
Patient Review
Very pleased with everything. They called to check on Things the following day.
- Kristin F
Patient Review
Dr. Gray and his staff are amazing. I have an irritional fear of sedation/anesthesia and when I went in to get my wisdom teeth out I was extremely terrified. Dr. Gray and his assistant were so understanding and accommodating to my hesitation they allowed me to just use local Novocain. They were so kind and let me feel like I was in control of the decision and didn't push me to do anything I wasn't willing to do but they also thoroughly explained everything so that I was at ease and made sure I was making the best decision. Dr. Gray is very approachable and so professional and kind my nerves subsided. I really appreciated the entire experience and I couldn't say enough good things about Dr. Gray and his assistant. I would 100% recommend! I will need to go back for implants later and I'm actually looking forward to it. Such a great place where everyone is helpful and kind. Thank you Face & Jaw!
- Jill K
Patient Review
I was very pleased with my care! I've never had surgery before and was super nervous. Everyone-office staff, nurses, doctor-was so friendly and put me at ease!
- Lauren C
Patient Review
I would definitely recommend these guys for any kind of oral procedures.. Great staff all around.. Have to give a shout out to the nurse in the Grand Forks location. Just top of the line, took great care of me throughout the surgery process(before, during, and after)!
- Kris P
Patient Review
My doctor and his staff were very comforting! They explained thoroughly what they were going to be doing throughout the whole process, which helped put me at ease.
- Brenna S
Patient Review
Was a great visit and went better than expected.
- Casandra K
Patient Review
Friendly environment, comforting,
- Rachel W
Patient Review
The staff was so nice and friendly. They answered all my questions thoroughly. This has been my second surgical procedure with Face & Jaw, and if I need any more in the future, I would not hesitate to go back. Thank you for making a not so nice procedure into a very pleasant one.
- Lisa B
Patient Review
We were very pleased with the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. The nurses where very thorough in explaining the procedure and each step along the way to my daughter before she had her wisdom teeth removed. Dr. Chahal came highly recommended, was very professional, and did a great job with her surgery. Recovery information was explained well and patient follow-up was appreciated. I would definitely recommend Face & Jaw Surgery Center to anyone in need of their specialty.
- Stacey C
Patient Review
Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend going here for any wisdom teeth surgeries!
- Jadyn F
Patient Review
They were very calm and helped me better understand what was going to happen. They were all very friendly and it was nice to see some familiar faces there.
- Ryan T
Patient Review
Very professional, and listened to my concerns. Both staff and Doctor made me feel less anxious, and did everything to make my visit a comfortable one.
- Deborah D
Patient Review
I was incredibly nervous about having my wisdom teeth removed, but in the end that was unwarranted due to Dr. Glosenger and his amazing staff. I was immediately put at ease by Dr. Glosenger when he came into the room for the pre surgery consultation. I was shocked at how quickly it was all over, and the lack of pain following the procedure, Dr. Glosenger has very talented hands that left me happy, pain free, and led me to a very quick recovery. I also loved that I was able to purchase my prescribed medications directly from the practice instead of having to wait on a pharmacy post op. That was a major convenience! Overall I would recommend Dr. Glosenger to anyone in the Minot area needing Oral Surgery, there is no one else who I would allow to do work on my mouth in town, so I wouldn't send anyone to anyone else other than him!
- Matt P
Patient Review
I was very pleased with my visit and will recommend them in the future.
- Kyle K
Patient Review
I would like to thank everyone for their kindness. I would also like to thank Kaycee Dr. Preisler assistant, Kaycee was very understanding and explained all details to me very well. Good job 🙂 The business is very professional and very lean with their processes. Good job 🙂
- Donna B R
Patient Review
I wasn't given sutures, which would have been fine had I been given a syringe to clean out my sockets. Being as a don't, I have to constantly pick out food after eating. Disappointed.
- Michael P
Patient Review
Place was great. The people were even better. The wait was small and they worry about the customers safety which is awesome.
- Remy W
Patient Review
Assistant used excellent technique. I had complete faith in this oral surgeon. They were friendly and I appreciated their relaxed way of communicating and reassuring me.
- Claire M
Patient Review
I went in with complications from a wisdom tooth extraction done at another clinic in another city. I was treated for my excessive bleeding the same day and my services were done free of charge as a courtesy to me and my situation ( I had been dealing with excessive bleeding for a couple of days and it was over the weekend when nothing was open). Dr. Chahal was an expert! He performed a procedure to clot my blood vessel and I've not had any issues since that visit.
- Joshua L
Patient Review
My overall experience was terrific! I had no issues at all from start to finish. I highly recommend face and jaw to anyone that is needing dental work. The doctor that I had did such a wonderful job. No one could even tell that I had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed. I had very little noticeable swelling and am healing up nicely. I thank the staff and doctor for there outstanding work!
- Natasha Z