Depending on the location and condition of your wisdom teeth, they may be removed by a dentist or an oral surgeon. While dentists can usually manage simple extractions, you’ll likely be referred to an oral surgeon for more complex or surgical extractions.
Regardless of who extracts your wisdom teeth, here’s what you can expect from the process:
Once you’ve found out your wisdom teeth need to be removed, the initial consultation will cover questions you have about the surgery, what type of anesthesia you’ll be under, and what to expect from the recovery process. This consultation aims to help you understand the surgery and quell any fear you may have about it.
Surgery to remove wisdom teeth is fast and usually takes 45 minutes or less. To prepare for the surgery, your doctor or dentist will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. You may also get IV or general sedation to make you feel drowsy or put you to sleep for the procedure. The dentist or doctor will then remove the teeth and stitch any wounds in your gums.
Everyone responds differently to the surgery and the anesthesia. Still, it’s common to feel very sore for a few days after surgery. Your dentist will prescribe an over-the-counter or prescription pain medication to help manage discomfort and will likely recommend that you rest for a few days following the surgery.