How long will my wisdom teeth extraction take?

When facing a procedure like wisdom teeth extraction, patients want to be as prepared as possible for their appointment and the recovery period thereafter. It can be helpful to know how long the procedure will take and how to prepare for it, for example.

At your initial consultation, your oral surgeon will cover these aspects of your treatment in great detail. While we can provide a general overview of the basics here, each patient’s case is unique and there may be some variation.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction: What To Expect

Wisdom teeth extraction is typically more complex than other tooth extractions because the wisdom teeth are often impacted. They get stuck in the bone or gum tissue and fail to erupt properly. Before they can be removed, surrounding bone and gum tissue must be removed to access the teeth.

Although wisdom teeth extraction does involve a surgical procedure, it takes place in an outpatient setting. For many patients, wisdom teeth extraction can be completed in about an hour. However, specific factors may influence the complexity of the patient’s case and may necessitate longer procedures.

After evaluating your case, your oral surgeon will be able to give you a more precise estimate of the anticipated duration of your procedure.

Considerations For Recovery After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

In addition to knowing what to expect the day of your wisdom teeth extraction, you will also find it helpful to be prepared for you to care for yourself afterward. Your oral surgeon will give you written post-operative instructions to:

• Keep your mouth clean as directed.
• Avoid actions that could interfere with healing, such as drinking through straws, smoking and engaging in vigorous exercise.
• Take all medications as directed. If you have been prescribed a course of antibiotics, be sure to take all doses.
• Eat soft foods for at least the first few days to avoid damaging tender tissue at the surgical site.

Following these directions will greatly reduce your risk of post-operative complications that can cause discomfort and lead to an extended recovery period. If you have any questions about them, don’t hesitate to call our office to ask.

To learn more about what to expect from your wisdom teeth extraction, call Central Oklahoma Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates today to schedule your initial evaluation.