Wisdom Tooth Extractions - Belmont, MA

How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

We will give you some specific instructions before your surgery. Here are some common tips:

• If sedation or anesthesia is being used, ask someone else to drive you to and from our office.
• Tell us about any medications you’re taking right now, as well as how often you use alcohol or recreational drugs.
• Avoid eating or drinking after midnight on the night before your procedure.
• Stock up on soft foods so you already have plenty of options for meals during recovery.
• Wear glasses instead of contacts; you’ll most likely be keeping your eyes closed for a long period of time during the procedure.

How Do You Stop Wisdom Teeth Pain?

We can only stop your pain for good by removing your wisdom teeth, but there are steps you can take to control your pain at home. Take an ice pack wrapped in a towel and hold it over the affected area outside your cheek for 20 minutes at a time, and repeat every few hours to keep swelling down. If you use pain medication like ibuprofen, follow the instructions on the label carefully. Another trick is to rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution. Swish the mixture around in your mouth before spitting it out; do not swallow it.

Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?

No, it is not. Your mouth will be numbed with local anesthetic first, and you’ll usually be sedated. This results in a painless procedure. Some slight pressure may be felt as the teeth are being moved around, but you won’t experience serious pain. After the procedure is complete and the local anesthetic has worn off, you may experience some discomfort or general soreness. This will only last for about a week, especially if you’re diligent about following our aftercare instructions.

How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Surgery Take?

It depends on how many teeth are being removed. It usually takes between 15 to 20 minutes for a singles wisdom tooth to be removed, so if you’re having all four taken out, the estimated timeline is typically around 90 minutes; of course, this can vary based on the location, position, and condition of each tooth. We’ll make sure that you and the person driving you have a reliable timeline to work with before we begin. If you’re being sedated for the procedure, then it will barely feel like any time has passed at all no matter how long your surgery takes.