WISDOM TOOTH

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

We extract after a detailed diagnosis of the impaction. Wisdom teeth with no reason to be extracted are not extracted.

The short answer

Do wisdom teeth always have to come out?

No. Wisdom teeth with repeated inflammation, decay, pressure on the molar in front, or that cannot be cleaned are better extracted, while those that have come in straight and can be brushed well are watched. Because the evidence on removing fully impacted wisdom teeth without symptoms in advance is mixed, we decide individually by looking at the distance to the nerve and the risk to the molar in front. The method and timing of extraction are decided after checking with a panoramic X-ray and, if needed, 3D CT.

What matters most in wisdom tooth extraction is not "how fast it comes out" but "how the nerve is avoided" and "how you spend the days after extraction." At Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon, if there are warning signs we check with CT, and we give you the post-extraction instructions in writing.

Wisdom teeth better extracted

We recommend extraction for wisdom teeth with repeated inflammation, decay, those lying sideways and pressing on the molar in front, or those with signs of a cyst.

Wisdom teeth to watch

Wisdom teeth that have come in straight, meet the opposing tooth and can be reached by a toothbrush, and fully impacted ones with no symptoms or lesions that are very close to the nerve, are monitored regularly.

Wisdom teeth where timing is decided

Partially impacted wisdom teeth that cause no symptoms now but cannot be cleaned are better removed before inflammation develops and before the roots are fully formed (usually in your twenties), for a faster recovery.

How does wisdom tooth extraction proceed?

Panoramic X-ray and judgment. The direction of the wisdom tooth, depth of impaction, root shape, and relationship to the lower-jaw inferior alveolar nerve canal (Korean) and the upper-jaw maxillary sinus are checked on a panoramic X-ray. Because the evidence on preventive extraction of fully impacted wisdom teeth without symptoms is mixed[1], we first decide whether to extract by weighing risks and benefits together.
Checking the distance to the nerve with 3D CT. On a panoramic X-ray, if the root and nerve canal appear to overlap or the white line of the nerve canal appears broken, these are signs of a higher risk of nerve injury.[2] In that case, 3D CT is used to check the actual distance and relationship, and the extraction method is decided.
If there is acute inflammation, settle it first. With pericoronitis (Korean), when the gum is swollen and the mouth will not open, inflammation is first reduced with disinfection, irrigation and medication. When it is swollen, anesthesia works poorly and there is a risk of the infection spreading.
Explanation and scheduling. We explain the difficulty (simple, partially impacted, fully impacted), expected time, risks such as nerve injury and dry socket, recovery period and cost, and set the extraction for a day when your schedule has some slack. Be sure to tell us about medications you take (anticoagulants, osteoporosis drugs, etc.) at this point.
Anesthesia and extraction. It is done under local anesthesia. A wisdom tooth that has come in straight is extracted as is; for an impacted one, the gum is opened, and if needed the tooth is divided into a few pieces and removed with minimal bone removal. If needed, a computer-controlled anesthesia device (i-JECT) reduces the discomfort of the injection.
Stopping bleeding and aftercare instructions. You bite on gauze to stop bleeding, and stitches are placed if needed. We give you in writing the instructions for the day, how to prevent a dry socket (Korean), how to take the prescribed medication, and how to contact us in an emergency.
Follow-up. If stitches were placed, they are removed after about a week and recovery is checked. Pain that newly worsens after day 4, pus, or altered sensation — contact us right away.

How do difficulty and recovery differ by type of impaction?

Type	Condition	CT	Time	Recovery
Erupted straight (simple)	Straight above the gum, simple roots	Panoramic X-ray is enough	10–20 min	1–2 days
Partially impacted (partly exposed)	Partly covered by gum or bone, tilted forward	Recommended if near the nerve	20–40 min	2–3 days of swelling
Fully impacted (horizontal · vertical)	Completely buried in gum and bone	Almost always needed	30–60 min	3–7 days of swelling and discomfort
Impacted near the nerve	Root touches or overlaps the nerve canal	Required	Varies	Decided after discussing the risk of altered sensation

* A general classification; the actual difficulty and recovery are explained individually after diagnosis.

In what order does recovery after extraction proceed?

Day of extraction: Bite on gauze for 2 hours; swallow saliva and blood rather than spitting; no straws, smoking, alcohol, strenuous exercise or hot food; cold compress
Days 1–3: Swelling is at its worst. Take the prescribed medication, eat soft food, chew on the other side, brush avoiding the extraction site
Days 4–7: Swelling and pain decrease. Pain that gets worse in this period suggests dry socket or infection → be seen
About 1 week: Stitches removed. If food gets caught in the extraction site, rinse with the irrigator provided
2–4 weeks: The gum closes over. The bone fills in over several months

Swelling normally peaks on day 2–3 and then goes down. By contrast, pain that newly worsens after day 4 is a sign of dry socket or infection, so do not put up with it — contact us.

What about costs and health insurance?

Difficulty — Korean national health insurance sets different fees for simple extraction, partially impacted and fully impacted (bone removal, tooth sectioning) extraction. All are covered items.
3D CT — When an impacted wisdom tooth requires checking its relationship to the nerve canal, the CT scan is also covered.
Prescriptions · dressing — Antibiotic and painkiller prescriptions and post-extraction dressing are covered.
Non-covered items — Sedation extraction, if you want it, and some hemostatic or regenerative materials are not covered; we explain these in advance only when needed.

Most wisdom tooth extractions are covered by Korean national health insurance, and the co-payment varies with difficulty. Only when non-covered items are needed do we explain them separately before treatment.

When we watch, or delay the timing

· When it has erupted straight, meets the opposing tooth well and can be brushed — there is no reason to extract it.
· When it is fully impacted with no signs of inflammation or a cyst and is very close to the nerve — the risk of extraction may be greater than the risk of leaving it, so we monitor it regularly.
· When it is better to postpone extraction because of your general health (early or late pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, high-dose osteoporosis injections) or timing.
· When there is acute, severe swelling — the inflammation is settled first, and then the tooth is extracted.

Nothing hidden

Side effects and risks of wisdom tooth extraction

Altered sensation in the lower jaw. If the root of a lower wisdom tooth is close to the inferior alveolar nerve, sensation in the lower lip and chin may be dulled after extraction. Most recovers within weeks to months, but rarely it lasts longer. If a panoramic X-ray shows warning signs, we check with CT, and if the risk is high, methods such as leaving part of the root (coronectomy) are considered.[2]

Altered sensation in the tongue. The lingual nerve runs on the inner side of the extraction site, so rarely there may be changes in tongue sensation or taste. These are usually temporary.

Dry socket. If the blood clot in the extraction site comes out and the bone is exposed, severe pain begins 3–4 days after extraction. It is more common with impacted lower wisdom teeth, and smoking and straw use raise the risk. If it occurs, it is managed with irrigation and dressing.[4]

Infection · swelling. Swelling and limited mouth opening for a few days after extraction are part of normal recovery. Fever or pus means infection and needs to be seen. Evidence that preventive antibiotics reduce infection in simple extractions in healthy adults is limited, so whether to prescribe them depends on your condition.[3]

Opening into the maxillary sinus. If the root of an upper wisdom tooth is close to the maxillary sinus, an opening between the nose and mouth may form after extraction. Small ones close on their own; large ones are stitched. We ask you not to blow your nose hard for a few days after extraction.

Remaining root · damage to neighboring teeth. If a root breaks and part remains, depending on its position and risk it may be removed or left and monitored. Rarely, a restoration on the molar in front may loosen or be damaged.

Why we tell you the risks first. For some wisdom teeth, the risk of extraction is greater than the risk of leaving them. To make that judgment together with you, we must not hide the risks.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Q1 Do wisdom teeth have to be extracted?

Not all of them. After checking direction, impaction and inflammation on a panoramic X-ray or CT, we recommend extraction if there is a risk of decay or gum disease or if pain or inflammation keeps coming back. Wisdom teeth that have come in straight and can be cleaned well are watched.

Q2 Is it better to remove impacted wisdom teeth without symptoms in advance?

The evidence is mixed. If it cannot be cleaned and is likely to cause decay or bone loss in the molar in front, removing it while young allows faster recovery; but if it is fully impacted with no lesion and very close to the nerve, monitoring may be better. We decide by comparing risks and benefits for each person.

Q3 Can I go about my daily life on the day of extraction?

A simple extraction takes 10–20 minutes, and you can go about your day. An impacted wisdom tooth takes 30–60 minutes, with 2–3 days of swelling and discomfort, so it is best to avoid important plans.

Q4 Can a wisdom tooth that lies crooked or deep be extracted safely?

We proceed after checking the distance to the nerve and the direction of impaction on 3D CT in advance. If the nerve is very close, we consider dividing the tooth to reduce the load on the nerve, or leaving part of the root.

Q5 I heard my lip could go numb after extraction?

If the root of a lower wisdom tooth is close to the inferior alveolar nerve, temporary altered sensation can occur, and rarely it lasts longer. If they appear to overlap on a panoramic X-ray, we check the distance with CT, explain the degree of risk at the consultation, and then decide.

Q6 What is a dry socket?

It is a condition in which the blood clot that should form in the extraction site comes out, exposing the bone, so pain worsens from 3–4 days after extraction. Avoiding vigorous rinsing, straws and smoking after extraction lowers the risk, and if it occurs it is managed with irrigation and dressing.

Q7 Can upper and lower wisdom teeth be removed at once?

Upper and lower teeth on the same side are often removed together. Removing both sides at once makes eating difficult for a few days, so usually one side is done at a time, 1–2 weeks apart. It is decided by your condition and schedule.

Q8 Does health insurance cover wisdom tooth extraction?

Yes. Simple and impacted extraction, any necessary CT scan, prescriptions and dressing are all covered items. The co-payment varies with difficulty; we explain at the consultation.

Q9 Can a wisdom tooth be extracted during pregnancy?

If there is no acute inflammation, it is often postponed until after childbirth. If it is really necessary, it is done minimally in the relatively stable second trimester after consulting the obstetrician.

Q10 When can I eat after extraction?

After the anesthesia wears off (2–3 hours), start with lukewarm, soft food on the other side. Avoid hot, hard and spicy food and alcohol for 2–3 days.

Q11 I stopped treatment partway at another clinic. Can you continue it?

Yes. We check the state of the previous treatment carefully and then continue. We assess your current condition with a detailed diagnosis and draw up a new plan for the remaining treatment.

Symptom guides and further reading

References

Ghaeminia H, Nienhuijs ME, Toedtling V, et al. Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;5(5):CD003879. — Preventive removal vs retention of asymptomatic, disease-free impacted wisdom teeth: insufficient evidence; individual risk–benefit judgment and regular monitoring recommended.
Rood JP, Shehab BA. The radiological prediction of inferior alveolar nerve injury during third molar surgery. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1990;28(1):20-25. — Seven panoramic signs predicting nerve injury risk (darkening of the root, interruption of the canal’s white line, diversion of the canal, etc.).
Lodi G, Azzi L, Varoni EM, et al. Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;2(2):CD003811. — Preventive antibiotics reduce infection and dry socket after wisdom tooth extraction but also increase side effects; routine use in healthy patients is not recommended.
Blondeau F, Daniel NG. Extraction of impacted mandibular third molars: postoperative complications and their risk factors. J Can Dent Assoc. 2007;73(4):325. — Complications after removal of impacted lower wisdom teeth about 6.9% (dry socket, infection, altered sensation); age, smoking and depth of impaction are risk factors.

RESERVATION

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We start by checking the condition of your remaining teeth. Book on Naver or call us.

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33 m from Exit 1, Bongcheon Station (Line 2) · Directions from Bongcheon Station →

This page was written and reviewed by Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry) of Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon, based on standard dental knowledge and the literature above. It is intended as general information; individual treatment plans and costs are given after a detailed diagnosis and consultation.

Last updated: 2026-09-11