The same reason I had to go to a specialized surgeon, have a pre-visit to analyze the problem teeth, and be put under for the operation. I basically had a surgeon digging around in my jaw with operating tools for two hours - and I was a barely functioning person for like a week afterwards.

It's pretty painful, especially if you have all four removed at once. But, I think pharmaceutical propaganda has made people believe that there is really a way to kill the pain. Something I've learned from opiate addicts is that it doesn't make the pain go away - it just makes you feel good enough to forget the pain.

It was my opinion before doing it that I would be feeling some amount of pain no matter what I did. So I just followed the other aftercare instructions first - ice it, take ibuprofen, (lightly) swish with warm salt water. The pain was reduced enough that I didn't feel the need to take the opiates.

Im with you. I had the full 4 wisdom teeth removed at once and I got by just fine with ibuprofen. However, you have to understand that like most things in biology, there's a bell curve which exists for measureable pain tolerance. There are definitely people who find that level of pain unbearable in the same way you and I might find a hot poker unbearable. It's not irresponsible as a provider to offer pain meds for that.

Wisdom tooth removal is a whole different ballgame than plain tooth removal, with painful complications possible (e.g. “impacted” wisdom teeth).

This has been common in the US for decades now, I was prescribed them as a minor for my wisdom tooth removal. I was also fine with ibuprofen.

I'm assuming there were significant kickbacks to oral surgeons from the opioid sales people.

its a procedure with a painful recovery?

because it hurts.