Measure.Operate.Follow up. — Dr. Ali Mortazavi

Not always. A wisdom tooth that is healthy, fully through and easy to clean usually does not need to be removed, but it should be seen at regular check-ups. If it is impacted and has caused pain, infection around the tooth, a cyst or damage to the next tooth, removal is usually considered. The decision rests on the examination and the image.

Most oral surgery is done under local anesthetic, sometimes with sedation or general anesthesia. The type depends on the operation, your condition and where it is done, and it is discussed at the visit. Some pain and discomfort after surgery is normal and is usually manageable with the painkiller your doctor advises.

Swelling usually grows over the first two or three days and then settles gradually. Swelling that increases after a few days, or comes with fever or severe pain, should be reported to the surgeon the same day. If breathing or swallowing becomes hard or the swelling reaches the floor of the mouth or the neck, do not wait for the surgeon: call 115.

Usually soft food, lukewarm or cold; chewing on the other side; avoiding hot, hard and small-grained food; and not using a straw. The surgeon gives the exact instructions after the operation; the full list is in the patient guide.

Do not stop it or reduce it yourself. Tell the surgeon the name of every medicine you take before surgery, from blood thinners and blood pressure and diabetes medicines to bone medicines, so that they can decide together with your own doctor.

The examination and an image show it. An OPG gives an overview, and a CBCT is often needed to measure the width of the bone and the distance to the nerve. If bone is low, a bone graft is sometimes needed before or together with the implant, and sometimes there is another option. It cannot be said from a description over the phone.

Previous images (OPG or CBCT, as files or on a disc), a list of your medicines with the daily use, your medical history and allergies, and your dentist's referral letter if you have one. If you do not have something, come anyway.

In some operations, such as a lower wisdom tooth, an implant near the nerve canal or lower jaw surgery, numbness of the lip, chin or tongue can happen. It usually improves with time, but it sometimes lasts. That is why an image is taken before surgery and the surgeon checks where the nerve runs. If your lip or tongue is still numb after the anesthetic has worn off, tell the surgeon soon.

Difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling that reaches the floor of the mouth, the neck or the eye, heavy bleeding that does not stop with pressure, and a blow to the face or head with reduced alertness, double vision, severe headache or repeated vomiting are emergencies: call 115. Tell your surgeon the same day about fever with swelling that keeps growing. The full list is in the patient guide.

The list of contracted insurers will be announced soon.

Details for this section will be announced once the doctor approves them.