Facts about wisdom tooth surgery
Treatment procedure: | Operative and non-operative methods |
Anesthesia: | Local anesthesia; nitrous oxide or general anesthesia on request |
Aftercare: | 1-3 check-up appointments in our practice |
Sociability: | After about 2-7 days |
Costs: | After 7-10 days |
If the wisdom teeth break through into the oral cavity, this can have different consequences for each person. They usually erupt into the oral cavity between the ages of 16 and 22. It is often not the wisdom teeth themselves that are the problem, but the lack of space in the jaw. If this is too small, the wisdom teeth can cause a space problem and thus also affect the other teeth, which shift as a result.
However, wisdom teeth do not necessarily have to erupt into the oral cavity in every person. It is referred to as retention if the additional teeth are predisposed but do not break through the Gums. If the eruption is only partial, it is referred to as partial retention. Even if the teeth are not visible in this case, they can cause problems for the affected person due to their usually angled position in the Jawbone pushing on neighbor teeth or other important anatomical structues. Because the wisdom teeth are difficult to reach, they often cannot be cleaned thoroughly, resulting in pathological gum pockets in which food debris and bacteria can accumulate. In the worst case, this leads to inflammation that can spread to the cheek, chewing muscles or neck. Partially retained teeth also offer a target for Caries, as there is no space between them and the adjacent teeth.
The number of predisposed wisdom teeth differs from patient to patient. However, if the teeth only erupt in the upper or lower Jaw and the opposite tooth is missing as a counterpart, the surrounding teeth can be displaced, which leads to malocclusions in the mouth in the long term. To prevent patients from suffering from jaw joint problems, tension or teeth grinding in the long term, we examine the wisdom teeth at an early stage in our dental practice in Zurich.
Frequently asked questions about wisdom teeth removal
What is the difference between wisdom teeth and other teeth?
Wisdom teeth can differ in appearance from the other teeth and have three to five cusps. Tooth roots can be more or less angled and long. However, how different the wisdom teeth are from the rest of the teeth varies from patient to patient. Some people have no wisdom teeth at all, while others have up to eight wisdom teeth instead of four. In most patients there can be found four wisdom teeth.
What happens after a wisdom tooth operation?
Following the removal of wisdom teeth in our practice, we recommend that our patients take it easy physically for 2 to 3 days. It is best not to plan any important appointments or trips abroad during this time. Normally, you can resume work after this short break. In the first week after wisdom tooth surgery, you should avoid direct sunlight, sauna visits, intensive sport and smoking.
Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?
In our dental practice, we have various sedation options to make treatment as comfortable as possible for each of our patients. During treatment under local anesthesia, nitrous oxide or general anesthesia, you will not feel any pain. Although pain may occur after treatment, we prevent this with pain-relieving medication and cooling of the treatment area. We recommend that our patients continue to cool the treatment area for a while at home and use conventional painkillers before possibly pain occurs.
Should all wisdom teeth be extracted at once?
Side-by-side wisdom tooth removal offers the patient the opportunity to use the untreated side for chewing after the operation. However, at our dental practice in Zurich, we use very gentle measures that allow all wisdom teeth to be gently removed in just one procedure. This shortens the aftercare and downtime for the patient overall. For this reason, many of our patients prefer to have all their wisdom teeth removed at once.
When can I return to work after wisdom tooth surgery?
You should take it easy physically for 2 to 3 days after the treatment. When you are ready to return to work depends, among other things, on your well-being and the extent of the treatment. We will be happy to provide you with information on the best course of action after wisdom tooth removal in a comprehensive consultation.
Are the costs of a wisdom tooth extraction covered by health insurance?
As a rule, the Swiss health insurance fund will cover the costs if there is a medical necessity for wisdom tooth surgery. We will be happy to inform you in our practice whether the costs can be covered in your individual case.
Your advantages of wisdom tooth surgery in our practice
![Zahnarzt Zürich Praxis Technologie](/fileadmin/user_upload/zahnarzt-zuerich-loewenplatz/media/praxis/zahnarzt-zuerich-technologie-scan.png)
- Treatment done by specialists
- 20 years+ of dental experience
- Modern clinic with air conditioning
- Comfortable state of the art dental treatment chairs with massage function
- 2D/3D Xrays for precice diagnostics and low radiation
- Enjoy your favorite Netflix program during treatment
- Removal of all wisdom teeth possible in one session
When is wisdom tooth surgery necessary?
Wisdom tooth surgery is not necessarily necessary as soon as the teeth break through into the mouth. In some cases, the wisdom teeth can remain in the mouth, even if they initially cause discomfort. As long as the surrounding teeth are not affected, we can initiate treatment measures that preserve the wisdom teeth. At our dental practice in Zurich, we decide whether wisdom teeth need to be removed after a thorough examination.
If the teeth are in a crooked position, we recommend a precautionary removal to prevent consequential damage. Generally this treatment is carried out on patients between the ages of 16 and 22, in some cases even at earlier ages. After that, wisdom tooth surgery is only necessary in cases of acute symptoms and difficulties with oral hygiene.
Radiological examination before wisdom tooth removal
In order to be optimally prepared for wisdom tooth surgery, we carry out a radiological examination in our practice, which shows us precisely the anatomical conditions in the jaws. This two-dimensional X-ray should not be older than two years. In special cases, a 3D X-ray (DVT) may also be necessary. Not all dental practices have this technology, so patients often have to visit a radiology institute before they can be advised by their dentist. To save you unnecessary travel, we have state-of-the-art technology at our dental practice in Zurich, such as high-resolution modern 3D-X-ray appliances, which make a visit to an external place unnecessary.
![Weisheitszahn OP Zürich Graphik](/fileadmin/user_upload/zahnarzt-zuerich-loewenplatz/media/graphiken/en/zahnarzt-zuerich-weisheitszahn-op-en.png)
Procedure for wisdom tooth surgery
For our patients aged between 16 and 22, we recommend prophylactic removal as soon as the wisdom teeth have emerged into the oral cavity. This prevents the additional teeth from leading to complications later on.
Before we perform a wisdom tooth extraction at our dental practice in Zurich, we examine the patient's anatomical conditions. To do this, we use innovative techniques such as 3D X-rays (DVT). In a detailed consultation, we determine the appropriate treatment method together with the patient.
In addition to surgical measures, we also have non-surgical treatment methods at our disposal. For example, fully erupted wisdom teeth can be removed without surgery if they cause damage to the surrounding teeth or make oral hygiene more difficult.
At our dental practice in Zurich, we remove wisdom teeth on a daily basis, making this treatment part of our routine. Nevertheless, we pay strong attention to the special circumstances of each patient and adapt our measures accordingly in an individual, gentle and professional manner.
Contact us
Zahnärzte am Löwenplatz
Seidengasse 15+20
8001 Zürich
Accessibility by telephone
Monday, Tuesday, Friday
7:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday, Thursday
8:00 am to 8:00 pm
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Zahnärzte am Löwenplatz Panorama
Seidengasse 20
8001 Zürich
on the third floor, elevator available.