Wisdom Teeth Removal

Most Common Reasons to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed

There are many reasons that people have their wisdom teeth removed. At Carolinas Centers for Oral & Facial Surgery, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons find that the most common reasons include: 

1. Your wisdom teeth may affect the optimal alignment of your teeth after using braces. 
2. You have difficulty cleaning your wisdom teeth, which may lead to oral issues. 
3. They have become infected or show signs of decay. 
4. Your wisdom teeth are causing pain, which could signify an infection. 
5. You are experiencing cavities on adjacent teeth. 

Is There A Right Age To Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

Generally, we recommend having your wisdom teeth extracted at a younger age, typically between the age of 18 and your early 20s. During this period, most people’s wisdom teeth should be protruding through the gums, and the root has developed to around two-thirds of its full size. 

However, in some cases, dentists will recommend having them removed earlier or later, depending on the individual’s circumstances. If you are experiencing dental issues due to your wisdom teeth, we recommend having them removed to prevent further complications. 

What To Expect When Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Taking the First Steps 

The first step to having your wisdom teeth extracted is scheduling a consultation with one of our experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons. 

At your consultation, we will perform an oral assessment, take scans of your wisdom teeth, discuss your medical history, answer any questions, and alleviate any concerns you may have about the procedure. 

We will also discuss your treatment plan and determine which type of anesthesia is right for you. We offer three types of wisdom teeth removal: local, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation. 

Preparing for the Procedure 

Before your procedure, your surgeon will provide a list of preoperative instructions. Depending on the anesthesia, your doctor may ask you to come in on an empty stomach. Your doctor will give you a list of post-operative instructions to follow post-surgery, which will help foster optimal healing and recovery. 

During the Procedure 

On the day of surgery, your surgeon will administer your selected type of anesthesia to reduce any discomfort during the procedure. Next, using exceptional precision and the latest extraction techniques, your surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue and gently remove your wisdom teeth. Then, depending on the size of the incision, it may be closed with sutures to promote healing. Once the treated site is closed, you will be placed in our comfortable recovery room until the anesthesia wears off. 

How Long Does the Wisdom Teeth Extraction Take?

Generally, wisdom teeth extraction takes between forty-five minutes to an hour. Our surgeons are highly-efficient at performing exceptional wisdom teeth removal surgeries and strive to complete the procedure in under one hour. 

However, the length of your procedure will depend on your customized treatment plan, the number of wisdom teeth extracted, and the number of impacted teeth.

Does Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Taken Out Hurt? 

You can expect your wisdom teeth removal surgery at Carolinas Centers for Oral & Facial Surgery to be a comfortable, painless experience. Since you are under the influence of anesthesia and the area will be numb, you should not feel any pain or discomfort. 

Immediately After the Procedure 

After your wisdom teeth removal, you will be placed in our comfortable recovery room until the anesthesia wears off. Once you wake up, you may feel groggy, lightheaded, sleepy, or confused and will need to have someone else drive you home. 

Have a Ride Home 

If you have general anesthesia or IV sedation, you will need to arrange for someone else to pick you up and drive you home after your wisdom teeth removal at Carolinas Centers for Oral & Facial Surgery. While not required for local anesthesia, arranging for a ride home ensures you have a smooth and safe mode of transportation after your surgery. 

How Long Are You Groggy After the Procedure? 

This depends on which type of anesthesia you choose for your procedure. If you choose general anesthesia, the effects will last between forty-five minutes to one hour. With IV sedation, it is common to feel groggy twelve to twenty-four following the surgery. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery and Aftercare

To ensure you feel comfortable moving forward with your wisdom teeth removal at Carolinas Centers for Oral & Facial Surgery, it is best to fully understand what you expect before, during, and after the procedure. 

First 24 hours

You may experience discomfort once your anesthesia wears off in the first twenty-four hours after your procedure. You may also notice other common symptoms like bruising, swelling, and inflammation around the extraction sites. Do not use a straw, forcefully spit, or aggressively brush your extraction site. 

First Week 

You can expect your discomfort to peak between days one and three and your symptoms to alleviate in the three to seven days following your procedure. After one week, you can resume brushing the extraction site but be very gentle. 

First Month

Around two weeks after your wisdom teeth removal surgery, your extraction site should not interfere with your daily life. While it may not look completely normal and still feel tender to the touch, it should be almost completely healed. At this point, you should be able to resume brushing and flossing your teeth normally. 

How Long Should I Expect to Be Out of Work or School? 

While every patient is unique, we recommend taking at least three days off to prioritize healing and recovery. This is when your discomfort will be at its peak, with swelling in the facial area. However, a whole week is best before resuming your normal routine. 

How Long Should I Wait Before Eating? 

Though we recommend you avoid food and drink in the first several hours after your wisdom teeth removal, you can begin eating liquid foods within twenty-four hours afterward. It is essential to avoid hard, crunchy, or extremely hot foods in the first week after your procedure, as these may impact the extraction site. 

What Foods Can I Eat After Having My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

In the first couple of days after removing your wisdom teeth, it is best to stick to a diet of soft foods, jello, milk,

Frequently Asked Questions: About Wisdom Teeth Removal

Should I Have All of My Wisdom Teeth Taken Out At Once?

In most cases, patients have all their wisdom teeth removed simultaneously, reducing recovery time and the risk of developing dry sockets and infections. However, this will ultimately depend on your doctor’s recommendation and individual treatment plan.

Are There Risks Associated With Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

Similar to other surgeries, there are risks associated with wisdom teeth removal. These risks include infection, dry sockets, and damage to nearby teeth, tissue, and nerves. Dry sockets are one of the most common complications of wisdom teeth removal and occur when a blood clot fails to form, exposing the underlying bone.

It is best to choose an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon with excellent credentials to increase the safety of your procedure and reduce these risks. At Carolinas Centers for Oral & Facial Surgery, our doctors strongly understand how to perform this wisdom teeth removal surgery and achieve ideal results for every patient.

What Will My Smile Look Like After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

At Carolinas Centers for Oral & Facial Surgery, your smile is our top priority. Our surgeons work hand-in-hand with orthodontists to ensure your smile looks and functions properly after your wisdom teeth surgery.

Trust an Oral Surgeon with Your Wisdom Teeth Removal 

The last permanent teeth to appear in the mouth are the third molars, more commonly known as wisdom teeth. Generally, not growing until the late teen years or early twenties, these late bloomers are a consistent source of dental trouble. This is because many people’s jaws are not sufficiently large to fit wisdom teeth, leading to impacted teeth that can cause infection, pain, or other complications. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons says that as many as 85% of wisdom teeth will need to be removed eventually, and 9 out of 10 people will need to have at least one taken out. For this reason, wisdom teeth extraction is one of the more common reasons to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS).  

Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed – for some people, they grow in just fine. But they can also cause serious problems, both when they first emerge and later in life. And because wisdom teeth are vestigial – i.e., they do not serve a necessary function for our survival – many patients decide to have them removed at a young age to avoid the possibility of any future complications. 

What is the nature of these complications? It all goes back to the fact that our jaws are fitted for 28 teeth, not 32. Consequently, impacted wisdom teeth may grow in at an angle towards other teeth; at an angle toward the back of the mouth; or even stay trapped within the jawbone. This is not just highly painful, but also may lead to infection, gum disease, and can even damage other teeth. Even wisdom teeth that are not impacted may cause problems later in life. All of these are reasons to consult with an OMS about wisdom tooth removal. 

Why See An Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon? 

 In order to perform complex procedures like reconstructive jaw surgery and wisdom tooth extraction, they undergo extensive education in medicine, dentistry, and surgery. This means that after completing dental school, they spend another 4-6 years in a surgical residency program, where they receive training in general surgery, anesthesia, and internal medicine. This lengthy and rigorous training makes an OMS an expert on procedures related to the jaw and face. 

An OMS can evaluate whether your wisdom teeth are impacted and tell you whether surgery is the best option. Typically, an OMS will look for the following signs to indicate whether extraction is the right option: 

• Wisdom teeth adversely affect a patient’s tooth alignment even after braces. 
• A patient has difficulty cleaning their wisdom teeth. 
• The wisdom teeth show signs of infection or decay. 
• The wisdom teeth are causing pain. 
• There are cavities on the teeth adjacent to the wisdom teeth. 

If you are having any of these issues, an OMS will most likely recommend surgery. The procedure is a standard one, done millions of times every year. That said, for some folks, the prospect of surgery can be intimidating. So, let’s go further into the details of how an OMS performs extraction, and elevate any fears or hesitations around this common, safe procedure. 

What to Expect from Wisdom Teeth Extraction 

After an OMS has determined that surgery is right for you, the procedure itself can be done outpatient quite quickly. The OMS will give you detailed instructions prior to the surgery, which is important to pay attention to. Once you are under sedation, the OMS will perform the extraction. Their expert knowledge of facial and jaw structure allows them to remove the impacted teeth with minimal intrusion, and the actual procedure is usually done in no time at all.  

After surgery, it is important to closely follow the instructions given to you by your OMS. Wisdom tooth extraction is a very common procedure, and serious complications are rare, but certain risks can be prevented by proper aftercare.  In particular, aftercare can help you avoid a painful condition known as dry socket. Dry socket will go away on its own, but it’s better to avoid it in the first place by listening carefully to your OMS. For proper aftercare, your OMS might advise you to: 

• Avoid strenuous activities for about a week. 
• Eat only soft foods for 24 hours.
• Not brush your teeth or floss for 24 hours. 
• Avoid smoking for at least 72 hours. 
• Don’t use a straw. 

By following these instructions, which are informed by the expert knowledge of the OMS, most patients should be able to avoid painful complications like dry socket. In most cases, patients should expect a full recovery in a few days to a week. There may be some lingering pain, for which you may be prescribed medication. But by consulting with an OMS and drawing on their expert knowledge and experience, you can alleviate pain, avoid the risk of infection, and move forward with a happier, healthier smile. 

What To Know About Wisdom Teeth Removal :
Before, During, & After Surgery Tips & Information 

What Are Wisdom Teeth and Why Do They Need to Be Removed? 

Wisdom teeth are a set of upper and lower third molars that typically come through when someone reaches their teen years—usually starting around 17 years of age. For some people, their wisdom teeth come in with plenty of space and are properly aligned. However, around 80% of young adults experience problems with their wisdom teeth. This can lead to impaction, meaning they remain trapped under the gums, and can cause several health concerns, including: 

• Abscesses and other infections 
• Periodontal disease 
• Cavities 
• Damage to adjacent teeth 
• Crowding of the surrounding teeth 
• Cyst or tumor development  

Evaluation 

The first step in having your wisdom teeth removed is a discussion with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This typically involves a physical exam and/or an X-ray. They will chat with you about a recommended treatment plan, ask about your medical history, and answer any questions you might have.  Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are skilled at advanced extraction techniques and highly trained in safely administering sedatives, such as anesthesia. They can offer you fully thought-out treatment plans that fit your needs.  

Procedure 

The typical wisdom tooth extraction takes around 60 minutes depending on the number of teeth you need removed, how complex the surgery is, and your overall treatment plan. However, you can expect to be in the office for about 90 minutes to two hours. It’s very important to remember not to drink or eat anything for up to eight hours before your surgery as it can complicate any local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation that may be used. Ask your surgeon about your options, including non-opioid Exparel, which can help reduce any discomfort you feel after the extraction.  

Post-Surgery 

Immediately following the surgery, you’ll feel groggy, light-headed, or even sleepy, so having a safe ride home is a must. Wisdom tooth extraction can affect patients differently depending on the complexity of the surgery. It’s important to understand what you can expect in the days, and weeks to follow. 

24 Hours After Surgery 

As your anesthesia continues to wear off, you might notice some pain or discomfort during this time. It’s also common to experience bruising or swelling in the area. You might be prescribed some sort of pain management medication. Remember to ask your surgeon beforehand about any side effects and responsible dosing. You can also start eating around this time. But you’ll need to stick to liquids and soft foods, such as broth or Jell-O. Remember to avoid straws, brushing your teeth, or spitting, as these can dislodge the blood clot covering the socket, otherwise known as a dry socket. 

One Week After Surgery 

Any symptoms of discomfort or soreness should peak around day three and begin to wear off after day seven. It’s around this time that you can return to strenuous activities, such as group sports or working out. You can also start brushing the extraction site but remember to be gentle!  

One Month After Surgery 

By the end of the first month, you should be back to your normally scheduled routine. And while the extraction site might look a little strange, you can safely brush and floss the area.  Like all health concerns, it’s better to get ahead of the issue before there’s a problem. Talk to your physician before you experience any negative side effects to determine if you will need wisdom teeth extraction in the future. It’s also a good idea to plan the surgery since significant recovery time from school or work can be required. Schedule an evaluation with one of certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons.