Impacted wisdom teeth: removal and recovery
When impacted wisdom teeth need removing, what the surgery involves, a realistic day-by-day recovery timeline, and how to avoid dry socket.
Last medically reviewed: 1 August 2026
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt, usually between seventeen and twenty-five. Many people have enough room for them. Many do not — and when there is not enough space, the tooth becomes impacted, stuck against bone or against the molar in front.
When removal is genuinely indicated
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. Removal is indicated when there is:
- Recurrent pericoronitis — repeated infection under the gum flap of a partially erupted tooth
- Decay in the wisdom tooth or in the second molar it presses against, that cannot be restored
- Cyst formation around an unerupted tooth
- Resorption of the neighbouring molar’s root
- Persistent pain attributable to the tooth
A fully erupted wisdom tooth you can clean, causing no problems, can reasonably be left and monitored. If a clinic recommends removing all four without assessing them, that is a commercial recommendation.
Why partial eruption is the worst position
Counter-intuitively, a partially erupted wisdom tooth often causes more trouble than a fully buried one.
A fully impacted tooth sealed under bone and gum is isolated from the mouth’s bacteria. A partially erupted tooth has a flap of gum over it that traps food and biofilm in a space no toothbrush can reach — a permanent reservoir for infection. That is what causes the recurrent swelling and bad taste people describe.
The procedure
Planning starts with a CBCT scan, which shows the exact relationship between the lower roots and the inferior alveolar nerve. This is the nerve supplying sensation to the lip and chin, and its position cannot be judged reliably from a flat X-ray.
Under local anaesthetic, a small incision exposes the tooth. Some bone may be removed, and the tooth is often sectioned into pieces. Sectioning sounds more invasive but is usually less traumatic — it lets the tooth come out through a smaller opening rather than being levered whole.
The socket is cleaned and sutured, usually with dissolvable stitches. A straightforward extraction takes twenty to thirty minutes.
Recovery, day by day
First 24 hours. Bite firmly on gauze as directed. Ice twenty minutes on, twenty off. Do not rinse, spit forcefully, or use a straw — the suction and agitation dislodge the clot. No smoking. Soft, cool foods.
Days 2–3. Swelling peaks. Bruising may track down the jaw and is normal. Begin gentle warm salt-water rinses after the first 24 hours. Keep taking prescribed medication on schedule rather than waiting for pain.
Days 4–7. Swelling reduces noticeably. Jaw stiffness is common and eases with gentle opening exercises. Most people are back at work within two to three days.
Week 2 onward. Sutures dissolve. Soft tissue closes over several weeks; complete bone fill takes months.
Dry socket: what it is and how to avoid it
Dry socket is the most common complication. The blood clot is lost from the socket, leaving bone exposed to air, food and saliva.
It presents as pain that increases around day three to five rather than steadily improving, often radiating to the ear, with a bad taste.
To reduce the risk:
- Do not smoke. This is the single biggest factor — both the suction and the chemicals impair clot stability.
- No straws, no forceful spitting, no vigorous rinsing for 72 hours.
- Avoid hard, crunchy or seeded food that can lodge in the socket.
- Keep the rest of your mouth clean; bacterial load matters.
Dry socket is treatable. If you suspect it, contact us — a medicated dressing gives relief quickly.
When to call us
- Pain increasing after day three
- Swelling worsening after day four, or fever
- Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure
- Numbness in the lip or tongue persisting well beyond the anaesthetic
- Inability to open the mouth or swallow comfortably
What we discuss before you consent
Every surgical procedure carries risk: dry socket, infection, temporary or rarely permanent altered sensation, sinus communication in upper cases, and jaw stiffness. These are uncommon, and 3D planning reduces several substantially — but you should hear them beforehand.
If you are weighing removal, the useful step is an assessment with a scan, so the conversation is about your anatomy rather than generalities. Our oral surgery page explains the full protocol.
Frequently asked questions
How long is recovery?
Most people recover within three to five days. Swelling peaks at 48 to 72 hours then settles. Simple extractions may need only a day or two; deeply impacted lower wisdom teeth take longer and cause more swelling.
Do all four need removing at once?
Not necessarily. Removing all four in one session means a single recovery period, which many people prefer. Removing one side at a time lets you chew on the other. The right choice depends on your case and your schedule — both are valid.
What causes dry socket?
Loss of the blood clot from the socket, exposing bone. Risk factors are smoking, vigorous rinsing, spitting, using a straw, and oral contraceptives. It typically appears three to five days after surgery as pain that increases rather than decreases.
Will removal change my face shape?
No. Wisdom teeth sit at the back of the arch and their removal does not alter facial structure or jawline. Swelling in the first few days can make the face look temporarily fuller, but that resolves completely.