How complex is removing lower wisdom tooth close to nerve when the tooth is infected?

Wisdom: A good dentist can take you through a lower wisdom tooth issue very quickly and well. May hurt for day but not longer.

Oral Surgeon: To an oral surgeon, that is a routine procedure. Their experience and training allow them to treat that problem without consequence.

Routine: I do this procedure in these circumstances hundreds of times a year. Make sure you are treated by a board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon.

May have problem: If the tooth is badly infected it must come out. In the process of doing that pressure from the tooth may compress or injure the nerve and cause lasting numbness. Your Oral Surgeon can give you a better assessment of the risk. Often the numbness is temporary but not always.

Very common: Yet it is a potentially complex operation, carrying the risk of nerve damage. Visit an oral surgeon who specializes in wisdom teeth surgery. Good luck!

Complex: That's why you want a Specialist, an Oral Surgeon, to do the procedure. The extraction, however is much less complex than dealing with the ravages of a spreading infection. Get it done now.

Surgical risks: Oral Surgeons perform this procedure routinely. All procedures have some risks. Not seeking needed treatment and not going to a highly qualified surgeon also has risks and actually more so. Your own surgeon can go over the risks associated with your particular situation better than any dentist over the internet, sight unseen.

Deep impaction: As with any surgery, there are risks and things can be complicated. A deep impacted tooth near the neurovascular bundle can be problematic. Make sure the oral surgeon explains the risks associated with the procedure. Informed consent is paramount in such a case. You may want to be sedated for the surgery.

Case by case...: Every patient is different. You are correct implying that infection & closeness to the nerve affect complexity, but in each case there are other factors at play. A conversation with your dentist or surgeon (after appropriate x-rays are taken) should quickly clear up questions and focus on specifics related to your case rather than generic info you'll find elsewhere. Make an appointment!

OS consult: If needed, have your dentist refer you to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon will decide if antibiotic therapy is needed prior to the removal of the tooth.

Its complex: I would recommend seeing an oral surgeon to evaluate the situation.

Evaluation: From the info presented, a good sense of the complexity of this really can't be determined. A good clinical and radiologic exam and assessment of your provider options based on your location and insurance limitations should all be considered to come up with a plan. That said, this is a commonly performed procedure that most often goes smoothly with an experienced practitioner. Best of luck!

Manageable: a good oral surgeon will be able to manage the extraction and the possible complications. You will probably start an antibiotic before the procedure