This information is based on Clinical Evidence one of the world's most authoritative medical resources.

The extraction of wisdom teeth is not a rite of passage. It is surgery, and not to be taken lightly! Besides, surgery is not always the answer.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

What happens during surgery?

If you must get your wisdom teeth removed, do not get all 4 removed unless there is good reason to. Only have the wisdom teeth removed that are causing problems.

If you must get your wisdom teeth removed ask the oral surgeon why it is necessary and, if you are not satisfied with the answer, get a second opinion. You should not have your dentist remove your wisdom teeth. If the surgery is necessary, consider having it done in the hospital and under no circumstances should you have the oral surgeon administer the anesthesia.
wisdom extraction
Before the operation
You and your surgeon will need to decide what kind of anaesthetic to use. Most people have a local anaesthetic. This is an injection that numbs part of your mouth. It’s the same painkiller you might have had for a filling. You’ll need two or three injections into your gum. It works for the length of the operation: about 40 minutes. But your lip or tongue will still feel numb two or three hours after. Some people have a general anaesthetic. This makes you sleep. There are more risks with a general anaesthetic than a local anaesthetic. It’s normally only given in hospital. Your surgeon may suggest a type of anaesthetic called conscious sedation.
A sedative drug is fed through a needle into the back of your hand. Or you could be given a pill, but this isn’t as common. You’ll feel very relaxed and sleepy, but you’ll still be awake. You won’t feel any pain.

During the operation
The operation usually lasts for about 40 minutes. But it could take up to an hour if you’re having all four teeth removed or they’re hard to get out. The longer the operation lasts the greater the risk of complications occuring.

Here’s what happens.
• Your surgeon will make a small cut into your gum to get to the tooth underneath.
• Then, he or she will remove bone around the tooth and take out the tooth. A drill is usually used, but sometimes the operation is done with a small chisel.
• Depending on the position of the tooth, your dentist or surgeon may need to cut the tooth into pieces to make it easier to take out. A saltwater spray is put into your mouth to wash away blood and bits of tooth.
• Once the tooth is removed, your surgeon will stitch your gum back up using stitches that will dissolve.

How well does the operation work?

Your wisdom teeth will not grow back. If you haven't yet checked out the complications, please do so.

References
1. Removing Wisdom Teeth. Clinical Evidence, the British Medical Journal.