Wisdom Tooth Removal in Torrevieja
Author: Alexander Peterson, Oral Surgeon at AP-Denta Published: June 2, 2026
The wisdom tooth, or third molar, typically erupts between the ages of 17 and 25 and often grows in conditions of insufficient space in the jaw. If the tooth has fully erupted and is positioned vertically, its removal is a simple procedure. If the tooth is impacted (has not erupted and is hidden in the bone) or dystopic (grows at an angle, horizontally, or presses against the adjacent molar), surgical extraction with an incision in the gum and, if necessary, division of the tooth into fragments is required. At AP-Denta in Torrevieja, the type of extraction is determined only after an X-ray or CT scan: it is impossible to assess this by eye in advance.
Why the wisdom tooth often requires removal
The wisdom tooth occupies the farthest position in the dental arch and erupts last, when the jaw is already formed — which is precisely why there is often not enough space for it. This leads to several typical scenarios: the tooth remains completely hidden in the bone (impacted), erupts only partially, leaving a pocket for bacteria to accumulate, or grows at an angle, pushing against the adjacent molar and gradually damaging it. Each of these scenarios requires a different approach to extraction, so diagnosis always precedes the decision to operate.
Indications for wisdom tooth removal
The most common indication for removal is pericoronitis — inflammation of the tissues around a partially erupted tooth, in which the gum swells, purulent discharge may appear, and mouth opening becomes difficult. Removal is also indicated for caries of the wisdom tooth, which is difficult to treat due to its hard-to-reach position, for a cyst that has formed around an unerupted tooth, and when a dystopic tooth presses on the adjacent molar, gradually destroying it or shifting the entire dental arch. Before orthodontic treatment, wisdom tooth removal is sometimes also included in the plan if it interferes with bite alignment.
How the removal is performed: simple and surgical
Simple extraction
Simple extraction is used if the wisdom tooth has fully erupted and is positioned vertically, without inclination and without bone contact requiring intervention. The doctor loosens the tooth and removes it whole with forceps, without making an incision in the gum. The procedure takes approximately 5-10 minutes and usually does not require sutures.
Surgical extraction
Surgical extraction is necessary for impaction, dystopia, or horizontal positioning of the tooth. The doctor makes an incision in the gum for access, performs a resection of a small area of bone tissue if necessary, and divides the tooth into fragments to remove them piece by piece without damaging adjacent structures. After removal, the socket is treated with an antiseptic and sutures are placed — either dissolvable or those that are removed after 7-14 days. The entire procedure takes from 30 minutes and is performed by an oral surgeon.
Anesthesia for wisdom tooth removal
Most extractions are performed under local anesthesia: on the lower jaw, mandibular anesthesia (injection into the area of the inferior alveolar nerve) is more commonly used; on the upper jaw, infiltration anesthesia, which is more superficial. In cases of high anxiety, multiple extractions in one visit, or complex anatomy, sedation may be considered — this issue is discussed at the diagnostic stage, before the surgery itself.
Features of removal on the lower and upper jaw
| Criteria | Comparison |
|---|---|
| Bone density | Lower jaw: denser and harder bone. Upper jaw: more porous, softer in structure. |
| Root shape | Lower jaw: often curved, more complex to extract. Upper jaw: generally simpler in shape. |
| Proximity to anatomical structures | Lower jaw: the inferior alveolar nerve runs nearby. Upper jaw: the maxillary sinus is located nearby. |
| Type of anesthesia | Lower jaw: mandibular (injection near the nerve). Upper jaw: infiltration. |
| Overall complexity of extraction | Lower jaw: generally higher. Upper jaw: generally lower. |
Recovery after wisdom tooth removal
In the first 2-3 hours after extraction, you should not eat or drink to avoid damaging the blood clot that forms a natural protective barrier for the socket. For the first two days, it is recommended to chew on the opposite side, avoid hot, cold, and hard foods, and brushing teeth can be done 12 hours after the procedure, carefully avoiding the socket area. Rinsing the mouth is usually limited in the first days, and you should not touch the socket with your tongue or fingers — this can dislodge the clot and slow down healing.
After surgical extraction, a follow-up examination is usually scheduled in 5-7 days, and if non-dissolvable sutures were used, they are removed approximately 7-14 days later. Fever, increasing swelling, or pain several days after the procedure is a reason to see the doctor earlier than the scheduled follow-up, rather than waiting for the control visit.
Frequently asked questions about wisdom tooth removal
How long does wisdom tooth removal take?
Simple extraction of a fully erupted tooth takes 5-10 minutes. Surgical extraction in cases of impaction or dystopia requires an incision in the gum and fragmentation of the tooth, so it lasts from 30 minutes and longer — the exact time depends on the tooth's position, visible on an X-ray or CT scan.
Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
The procedure itself is performed under anesthesia, which completely blocks sensation, so there should be no pain during the extraction. Discomfort and swelling in the first days after surgery are a normal tissue reaction to the intervention, especially after surgical extraction with a gum incision.
Is an X-ray or CT scan necessary before wisdom tooth removal?
Yes, an image is mandatory: it shows whether the tooth is impacted or dystopic, how its roots are positioned, and how close it is to the inferior alveolar nerve or the maxillary sinus. Without this information, it is impossible to know in advance whether the extraction will be simple or surgical.
What should not be done immediately after extraction?
In the first 2-3 hours, you should not eat or drink; in the first days, you should not touch the socket with your tongue or fingers, actively rinse your mouth, apply heat to your cheek, or eat hot, cold, or hard foods — this can dislodge the blood clot that protects the socket and slow down healing.
When are sutures removed after wisdom tooth removal?
If dissolvable sutures were used, separate removal is not required — they dissolve on their own. Non-dissolvable sutures are removed during a follow-up examination, usually 7-14 days after the surgery.
Contact Information:
| Torrevieja, Pasaje Pais Vasco, edificio 1 local 4 | |
| +(34) 638 893 141 | |
| +(34) 638 893 141 | |
| apdenta@gmail.com | |
| Working hours: Mon - Fri: from 10:00 to 20:00 |