Your wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of your mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, with 5% and 37% of people having less than four. They are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth, usually appearing between the ages of 17 and 25.
Some people’s wisdom teeth grow naturally with no issues and do not require removal. However, for roughly 73% of people, wisdom teeth do not erupt from the gum line or grow at an angle to adjacent teeth, causing impaction.
Impaction is typically caused by inadequate space in the jawbone for additional teeth. This causes your wisdom teeth to grow improperly, leading to painful complications like infection or tooth decay. Your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal to prevent potential problems.
If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, you may wonder how long wisdom tooth removal takes. Learn what to expect during a wisdom tooth removal surgery and how to prepare to help the procedure go as smoothly as possible.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
A wisdom tooth removal is an outpatient procedure performed by a dental surgeon. The area around the tooth is prepped and numbed using a local anaesthetic.
If your tooth has not erupted through the gum, your dentist makes a small incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth. If there is a small piece of bone covering the tooth, this may be removed as well. The tooth is then removed either whole or in several pieces to minimise trauma to the gum tissue.
If your tooth has already erupted, it will be removed like any other tooth using a dental elevator and forceps to slowly move the tooth laterally until the tissue connections that hold the tooth to the jaw break and the tooth can be removed. After the procedure, the empty socket will be cleaned, and the incisions sutured closed.
The tooth area will be numbed with a local anaesthetic like lidocaine, articaine, or benzocaine during a wisdom tooth removal.
You may be sedated during the procedure if you need a complex tooth extraction for a non-erupted tooth or have severe dental anxiety. At Toothsome, we have admitting rights to several Sydney hospitals allowing us to administer IV sedation or general anaesthesia. IV sedation ensures that you are conscious during treatment and can respond to your dentist, but you are in a deep state of relaxation and cannot feel any discomfort. You are completely asleep under general anaesthesia.
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Removal Take?
Every wisdom tooth removal procedure is different, and the amount of time it will take varies depending on your particular case.
Studies have shown that the average time for wisdom tooth removal was between 8 and 34 minutes, with an average extraction time of 14 minutes. Generally, a wisdom tooth removal takes around 20 minutes for a single tooth, and an entire set of four teeth can be removed in approximately one hour.
Potential Issues That Could Lengthen the Procedure
How long a wisdom tooth removal takes depends on your specific case. Some factors that can influence the surgery time include the condition of your wisdom teeth, how many teeth you need to be removed, and the specific surgical technique your dentist uses.
If your teeth are infected and severely decayed, the procedure may take longer than if you need a healthy but abnormally positioned tooth extracted. If you require sedation or general anaesthesia, you need to wait for the medications to take effect before your dental surgeon can continue with the treatment. This can add extra time to the surgery.
Your dentist will take X-rays and have a consultation with you to discuss your wisdom teeth, how they will be extracted, and how long the wisdom tooth removal will take.
How to Prepare for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Adequately preparing for a wisdom tooth removal can ensure the procedure goes as fast and smoothly as possible. It also reduces the risk of post-surgical complications like infection and speeds up the recovery process, which can take up to two weeks for the initial healing phase. Some simple ways to prepare for wisdom teeth removal include:
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- If you need general anaesthesia or IV sedation, avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 12 hours before the procedure. This prevents accidental regurgitation that could obstruct your airway during surgery.
- Tell your dentist about any over-the-counter, prescription, or recreational drugs you take. Some of these substances can interfere with the anaesthesia and may increase your risk of complications after surgery.
- Organise for someone to drive you home after surgery.
- Stock up on non-chew foods like yoghurt, meal replacement shakes, and soups to maintain adequate nutrition after your wisdom tooth removal.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Sydney
The length of time a wisdom tooth removal takes depends on how many teeth you need to be removed and the severity of impaction.
To get a more accurate estimate of the time your wisdom teeth removal surgery will take, contact Toothsome in Chatswood for a consultation with an experienced dental surgeon. We have three locations around Sydney for your convenience.
- Sydney CBD on (02) 9159 3728
- Baulkham Hills on (02) 9158 6637
- Chatswood on (02) 8203 8786
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
