What  To Do The Day of Wisdom Tooth Treatment

Most people prefer to be unaware of the experience when they have their wisdom teeth removed and usually decide to be sedated. You will be provided with appropriate anesthesia options at your consultation. Our office staff has the training, licensing, and experience to provide various types of anesthesia. These services are provided in an environment of optimum safety, utilizing modern monitoring equipment, and a well trained experienced staff.

On the day of your procedure, you will take medications to help minimize post-operative pain and swelling. We ask that a parent or responsible adult accompanies you to the office and plans to stay with you the rest of the day. The procedure will take about 30 to 60 minutes and you will probably be in the office for 90 minutes total. Recent advances in medicine and technology allow patients to undergo wisdom tooth removal in a manner, which promotes rapid healing and minimal post-operative discomfort.

Morning of Treatment:

On the morning or afternoon of your surgery, it is essential that you have nothing to eat or drink (excluding prescription medications with a sip of water) for at least 6 hours (preferably longer). This does not mean you should try to fit in one “last meal” exactly six hours before your surgery. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk for serious anesthetic complications.  Your procedure will be rescheduled if you have not followed these guidelines. We may provide you with a prescription for pain medication at your consultation appointment, which for your convenience, can be filled in advance. When you are seated in the surgery room, we will make every effort to keep you as comfortable as possible. If you are going to be sedated, we usually place an IV in your left arm. This is a quick and nearly painless procedure that ensures optimal delivery of your medication. Local anesthesia is given to you as well to ensure comfort, and allow adequate time to travel home and rest. You will be sleepy for a significant portion of the day.

Please Remember

It’s important to have an adult with you at the time of your surgery. You will need them to drive you home!  Make plans to have a parent or responsible adult stay with you for the rest of the day, following your wisdom tooth procedure. 

If your surgery requires stitches, these are usually the type that dissolve in 3 to 5 days and do not require removal. You may also notice a sensation of your gums feeling swollen and pulling away from your teeth. This is all part of the normal recovery, and will subside in several days.

Once the local anesthesia wears off, you may require prescription pain medication. Please try non-narcotic anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®) first, to see if that adequately treats your pain. If not, begin your other prescription pain medication. The local anesthesia may last until the following day, and should not be confused with an injury to your nerve. We recommend starting your post-operative diet with clear liquids such as jello and broths, gradually increasing in substance as your body permits.

If you are given antibiotics and you take birth control pills, please be aware that the birth control pills might become ineffective and take appropriate precautions.

Please Remember

Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your surgery. Having anything in your stomach can increase the risk for serious anesthetic complications.