Surgical tooth extraction is planned when the tooth intended to remove is not easily accessible inside the mouth. This can be when the tooth has not erupted out of the gum completely, or it may be fractured inside the gum line. Hence, a cut may be needed in your gum, and the tooth may need to be cut into smaller pieces before it’s removed.
Once the tooth has been removed, the gum is put back into place with stitches. In the majority of cases these stitches are dissolvable and take around two weeks to disappear. The process may take 20 minutes or longer to extract the tooth.
After the tooth extraction, you may experience swelling and discomfort, both on the inside and outside of your mouth. This is usually worse for the first 3 days but may last up to 2 weeks. You may also find that your jaw is stiff, and you may need to eat a soft diet for a week or so. If it is likely to be sore, your surgeon will arrange painkillers for you. You may need to have a course of antibiotics after the extraction.
References:
- https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/a-z-of-services/oral-and-maxillofacial-surgery/your-condition-and-treatment/removal-of-wisdom-teeth/
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/dental-treatments/wisdom-tooth-removal