How long does wisdom teeth removal take?

Asked by: Dale Roberts  |  Last update: September 29, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (67 votes)

Most wisdom tooth removal surgeries last about 40-90 minutes. Even if you're having all four of your wisdom teeth removed at once, the procedure typically takes an hour. If your wisdom teeth are in a difficult position or there are unexpected difficulties, the surgery may take a bit longer.

How long does it take to remove 5 wisdom teeth?

In general, most people can expect to spend 45 minutes to 2 hours in the dentist's chair for wisdom teeth removal. This includes the time it takes to numb the area, extract the teeth, and provide post-operative care.

How long does wisdom teeth removal take with anesthesia?

Wisdom tooth extraction surgery takes typically 45 minutes to complete. You will wake up or recover in the chair the surgery was performed on if you were given nitrous oxide or an IV. If general anesthesia was given, you will wake up in a recovery room. Once you are fully awake, you will be allowed to be taken home.

How long does wisdom teeth removal recovery take?

It can take up to 2 weeks to recover from the surgery for having your wisdom tooth or teeth removed. During this time, you may have: a swollen mouth and cheeks – this will be worse for the first few days but will gradually improve; gently pressing a cold cloth to your face helps reduce the swelling.

Can I go to work the next day after wisdom tooth extraction?

Every patient is unique, but most are able to get back on the job within two or three days of the wisdom teeth removal procedure. That said, the nature of your work makes a difference. If your job involves strenuous activity, your oral surgeon may recommend that you take more time off.

How long does it take to remove four wisdom teeth?

41 related questions found

What day is wisdom tooth pain the worst?

Recovery Timeline Following Wisdom Teeth Removal
  • Days 1-2: Wisdom tooth extraction is a same-day surgery and does not require overnight hospital admission. ...
  • Days 3-4: During this period, swelling will be at its greatest, but the sharp pain will gradually dull to general soreness.

How do they wake you up after wisdom teeth removal?

Recovery From Wisdom Tooth Dental Extraction

You would most likely wake up in a dental chair if you were given local anesthesia. If you were given general anesthesia, you would be taken to a recovery room where you would slowly wake up. General aesthetic takes longer to wear off and may linger for a day or so.

Do you remember waking up from wisdom teeth surgery?

Patients who undergo IV sedation for wisdom teeth removal have little to no memory of the surgery. General anesthesia is a deep form of sedation and can be administered through a mask or through an IV. It will render you into an unconscious state, and you will require breathing assistance.

Can I drive after wisdom tooth extraction?

As we mentioned, most oral surgeries require stronger anesthesia, such as IV sedation and general anesthesia. With these types of sedation, you will need to wait a full 24 hours before you drive around again on your own. If you don't, and you get in an accident, you could be charged with driving under the influence.

Do they put you to sleep for wisdom teeth?

If you're particularly anxious about the procedure, your dentist or surgeon may give you a sedative to help you relax. This will usually be an injection into your arm. General anaesthetic is rarely needed for wisdom tooth removal. It's only occasionally used when the procedure is carried out in hospital.

What can't you do after wisdom teeth removal?

After Your Wisdom Teeth Extraction, Don't:
  1. Use straws, suck, spit, or smoke. ...
  2. Avoid pretzels, popcorn, potato chips and other hard or sharp foods for at least 1 week.
  3. Stop using ice packs after the first 48 hours after your wisdom teeth extraction.

Can I drink water after wisdom teeth removal?

How soon can I drink water after tooth extraction? Except for taking medications, you should avoid all food and drink for at least 24 hours after wisdom tooth removal. This allows your surgical site to heal. It's best to drink plenty of water the next day to remain hydrated and stick to a soft, liquid-based diet.

What not to eat after wisdom teeth removal?

During your recovery from wisdom teeth extraction surgery, avoid eating these foods and beverages:
  • POPCORN.
  • Acidic foods and drinks (lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar, etc.)
  • Spicy foods.
  • Alcohol.
  • Small grains, nuts, and seeds (rice, quinoa, poppyseed bagels, sunflower seeds, etc.)
  • Crunchy foods (crackers, chips, etc.)

Do I need someone to be with me after wisdom teeth removal?

Home Instructions After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and complications such as infection and swelling can be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully. Please make sure someone stays with you for at least the first 4 hours after you arrive home.

How long after anesthesia can you eat?

Eat more foods as your body can tolerate. If you feel nauseated, do not eat or drink anything for one hour and then try drinking clear liquids.

Will I tell my secrets under anesthesia?

Anesthesia won't make you confess your deepest secrets

It's normal to feel relaxed while receiving anesthesia, but most people don't say anything unusual.

What is the pain scale for wisdom teeth removal?

Pain Management After Wisdom Teeth Removal

It is best to think of pain on a scale of 1-10 (10 being worst). Patients should take their pain medications as soon as they begin to feel discomfort (3/10). This will usually coincide as the effects of the local anesthetic diminish.

Should I be nervous about wisdom teeth removal?

There's no point in worrying about it. Don't worry about embarrassing yourself either, as nothing you could say or do will surprise or shock our experienced and professional staff. You may also feel dizzy and nauseous, which is why it's a good idea to get home after surgery as soon as possible, so you can rest.

Why do you cry after wisdom teeth removal?

“There is a medication called Sevoflurane, which is a gas that we use commonly to keep patients asleep there's some increased incidence of crying when that medication is used,” said Heitz. But he suspects many factors could be involved; the stress of surgery, combined with medications and feeling slightly disoriented.

Does getting an IV hurt for wisdom teeth?

A catheter is injected into your arm and will sting slightly initially. Afterward, you should not have any pain during the procedure.

How many hours does dental anesthesia last?

How Long Does Each Type of Anesthesia Last? A typical dental local anesthetic will last anywhere from two to five hours, depending on how much your dentist applied for the procedure. The local anesthetic effects wear off gradually, with feeling slowly returning to the area in the hours after your procedure.

What if I can't get food out of extraction site?

Dislodge the food by gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (saline) solution. Avoid swishing the water around and don't spit—this can lead to painful dry sockets. If you received a syringe from your clinician, you can use warm water or salt water to gently flush the socket clean.

Is it dry socket or just pain?

Dry sockets become increasingly painful in the days after a tooth extraction. They may also have exposed bone or tissue, or an unpleasant smell. By comparison, normal healing sockets get less painful over time and do not cause any other symptoms.

Can I eat mac and cheese after wisdom teeth removal?

Pasta is totally doable if you prepare it right. Macaroni and cheese is perfect because you can swallow the tiny noodles whole or chew them with your front teeth. You can also overcook your pasta noodles to make sure they are soft and easy to chew.