Wisdom teeth are often removed in a surgeon's office or in an outpatient surgical center. Your experience depends on the position of the teeth, the number of teeth being removed, and other factors. Your surgeon may advise removing all of your wisdom teeth in a single procedure, even if they are not all causing problems. Or your surgeon may advise separate procedures for each side of the mouth.
Preparing for Surgery
Your surgeon can tell you how long the surgery is likely to take. Including recovery from anesthesia, it may last between 45 minutes and 2 hours. Before surgery, be sure to:
- Arrange time off from work or school. You'll need a day or more to rest and begin to heal.
- Tell your surgeon about any medications you normally take. Your surgeon may advise some medication changes.
- Follow your surgeon's instructions on eating and drinking before surgery. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything after the midnight before surgery.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Choose a shirt or blouse with short sleeves. This makes inserting an intravenous (IV) line easier.
- Arrange for a ride home. An adult family member or friend should drive you home after surgery. Don't drive yourself, and don't take public transportation! The person who drives you should wait in the reception area during surgery.
How Your Tooth May Be Removed
Methods of extraction can vary. Details of the procedure will depend on:
- The position of the tooth.
- Whether the tooth has erupted.
- How deeply the tooth is embedded in the bone.
- How close the roots of the tooth are to the sinuses or certain nerves or blood vessels.