Wisdom tooth removal Istanbul patients often come to us with pain, swelling or food trapping at the back of the mouth. Wisdom tooth removal is the extraction of a third molar under local anaesthetic, recommended when the tooth causes infection, decay or damage to its neighbour. A healthy, fully erupted wisdom tooth does not always need to come out.
Wisdom tooth removal Istanbul at a glance
- Procedure time: usually short for an erupted tooth; longer for impacted teeth.
- Anaesthesia: local anaesthetic is sufficient in most cases; you may feel pressure.
- Visits: typically one appointment, plus a review after about a week.
- Recovery: swelling and tenderness are usually most noticeable for the first few days.
Why wisdom teeth cause problems
Wisdom teeth usually emerge between the late teens and mid-twenties. When there is not enough room, they become impacted — tilted, horizontal or trapped in bone. Pell and Gregory's classification of impaction by depth and position is still used in planning [4].
A partly erupted tooth often has a flap of gum over it. Food and bacteria collect underneath, causing a painful infection called pericoronitis. The second molar in front may also develop decay or bone loss.
When should a wisdom tooth be removed?
Extraction should be based on a clear reason. The UK NICE guidance does not recommend routinely removing healthy, symptomless impacted wisdom teeth [1]. Removal is commonly advised for:
- repeated or severe episodes of pericoronitis
- decay in the wisdom tooth or the adjacent tooth that cannot be restored
- cysts or other pathology around the tooth
- root resorption or advanced gum disease affecting the neighbouring tooth
A Cochrane review comparing removal with retention of symptom-less impacted teeth found little strong evidence either way [3], so such teeth are often monitored with periodic check-ups and X-rays. A definitive diagnosis and treatment plan are made by the dentist after examination.
Wisdom tooth removal Istanbul: what happens on the day
At our Bahçelievler clinic, surgical extractions are planned by Dr Mehmet Fuat Bozaba, whose work focuses on periodontology and oral surgery.
- Assessment: we review your symptoms, medical history and medicines.
- Imaging: a panoramic X-ray shows the tooth and roots; a 3D scan (CBCT) may be advised if the roots lie close to the nerve.
- Consent: the procedure, risks and recovery are explained.
- Anaesthetic: the area is numbed and checked.
- Extraction: an impacted tooth may need a small gum flap, some bone removal and sectioning of the tooth.
- Closure: stitches are placed if needed and you bite on gauze.
- Review: healing is checked after about a week.
The science behind the risks
Surgical principles are set out in standard oral surgery texts [2]. Difficulty depends mainly on the angle and depth of the tooth, root shape and age. Rood and Shehab described X-ray signs, such as darkening of the root or interruption of the canal outline, linked to a higher risk of nerve injury [5]. When these appear, 3D imaging can help planning.
Risks and aftercare
- Swelling, bruising and tenderness for a few days
- Temporary stiffness when opening the mouth
- Dry socket — increasing pain a few days later when the blood clot is lost [6]
- Infection or bleeding, which is uncommon
- Numbness of the lip, chin or tongue; rare and usually temporary, though it can be permanent
Bite on the gauze as instructed, use cold packs early on, eat soft food once the numbness wears off, and avoid smoking, straws and vigorous rinsing on the first day. Contact us if pain increases after a few days, you develop a fever or bleeding does not stop. If you are considering replacing a missing tooth later, see dental implants; for gum problems around back teeth, see gum disease treatment.
Getting here
We are opposite the Basın Sitesi Migros on Ferit Selimpaşa Caddesi, about 600 m from İlkyuva on the M3 metro. You can transfer to the M3 from Bakırköy (Marmaray) or İncirli (Metrobüs); Şirinevler, Yenibosna, Güngören and Haznedar are close by — useful when you would rather not travel far after wisdom tooth removal. Istanbul traffic is easier to avoid when the clinic is close to home.
Frequently asked questions
Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, and most people describe pressure rather than pain. Tenderness and swelling are common for a few days afterwards and are usually managed with the medicines we recommend.
Should a wisdom tooth be removed if it does not hurt?
Not necessarily. Healthy, cleanable teeth without symptoms can often be monitored. Removal is advised when there is decay, infection or damage to the neighbouring tooth.
When can I fly after an extraction?
Many patients travel within a day or two after a simple extraction, but surgical cases may need longer. Tell us your travel dates in advance so we can plan the appointment and the review sensibly.
Can all four wisdom teeth be removed at once?
Sometimes, depending on their position, your health and your preference. Often the upper and lower teeth on one side are removed together.
References
- National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Guidance on the extraction of wisdom teeth. Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 1 (TA1). London: NICE; 2000.
- Miloro M, Ghali GE, Larsen PE, Waite PD (eds). Peterson's Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2nd ed. Hamilton: BC Decker; 2004.
- Mettes TD, Ghaeminia H, Nienhuijs ME, Perry J, van der Sanden WJ, Plasschaert A. Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(6):CD003879.
- Pell GJ, Gregory BT. Impacted mandibular third molars: classification and modified techniques for removal. Dent Digest. 1933;39:330–338.
- 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.
- Blum IR. Contemporary views on dry socket (alveolar osteitis): a clinical appraisal of standardization, aetiopathogenesis and management: a critical review. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002;31(3):309–317.
Book a consultation
If a wisdom tooth is bothering you, or you simply want to know whether it needs to come out, book an examination with us.
- Address: Bahçelievler Merkez Mah. Ferit Selimpaşa Cd. No:44A, 34180 Bahçelievler / İstanbul (Basın Sitesi, opposite Migros)
- Phone: +90 544 289 66 33
- WhatsApp: +90 544 289 66 33 (you are welcome to write to us in English)
- Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00–21:00, closed on Sundays
Directions and a map are on our contact page.
This content has been reviewed by the dentists of Yayla Dental Akademi. Last updated: October 2026
Medically reviewed by the dentists of Yayla Dental Akademi.