Is wisdom tooth extraction performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia?

In general, whether to use general anesthesia or local anesthesia for wisdom tooth extraction depends on individual circumstances and the complexity of the procedure. The details are as follows:

1. General Anesthesia

General anesthesia involves administering anesthetic drugs to render the patient unconscious and free from pain perception during surgery. If the wisdom tooth is deeply impacted, requiring bone cutting for removal, and the procedure is expected to be lengthy and complex, general anesthesia is usually preferred.

2. Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia involves injecting anesthetic medication only at the surgical site, numbing the area while the patient remains conscious. If the wisdom tooth is close to the surface, the extraction is relatively simple, and the procedure time is short, local anesthesia is typically a better choice.

It should be noted that regardless of whether general or local anesthesia is used, after wisdom tooth extraction, it is essential to follow the dentist's instructions, maintain good oral hygiene, avoid irritating the mouth, refrain from eating hard, sour, spicy, or other irritating foods, and keep the mouth clean. These measures help promote postoperative recovery and prevent infection.