The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Process – Everything You Need to Know

About 10 million wisdom tooth extractions are performed every year in America alone, making this a very common dental procedure. But if you’re about to have your wisdom teeth extracted in Laveen, you may still have some questions before your appointment with Dr. Evans at Laveen Smiles. So read on, and get the answers you need!

Can I Get Something to Help Me Relax?

Yes! If you’re nervous about your extraction or just want to feel more comfortable, we offer laughing gas (nitrous oxide) at Laveen Smiles. It helps you relax during your procedure and wears off quickly afterward.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Usually, the entire process will take no more than an hour or two, and most of this time is spent preparing your tooth. It also may take longer if you’re having multiple teeth pulled. To begin, Dr. Evans will clean your mouth and numb the treatment area. If you’ve chosen laughing gas, we’ll start that too. This may take 10-20 minutes.

Once your mouth is numb, Dr. Evans will use special dental tools to wiggle the tooth loose in the socket. This will usually take 5-10 minutes. Once the tooth is loose, he will pull it out. Then, he will clean the extraction site so that it can heal. This will take about 10-20 minutes.

How Should I Care for My Mouth After Surgery?

You should follow all of the instructions provided to you by Dr. Evans. He will give you a set of comprehensive recovery steps you should follow. Among others, this includes steps such as:

• Eating soft and liquid foods for up to a week
• Rinsing your extraction site with salt water instead of brushing it
• Avoiding spitting or the use of straws for 24-48 hours, to avoid a complication called “dry socket”
• Avoiding heavy exertion or exercise for 2-3 days

Make sure that you follow all of the directions provided to you by Dr. Evans to speed up your healing and recovery process.

Will I Need a Follow-Up?

Yes. You will usually need to come back to Laveen Smiles between 1-2 weeks after your procedure. At this time, Dr. Evans will examine your mouth and make sure your healing and recovery process is progressing properly.

Does Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Often, yes. Most dental plans cover part of wisdom tooth removal when it’s medically necessary, such as when the teeth are causing infection or pain, or aren’t coming in properly. We’ll check your benefits before your visit so you know your cost up front. CareCredit is also accepted.

Got More Questions? Need Your Wisdom Teeth Pulled? Come to Laveen Smiles

Dr. Mark Evans performs gentle wisdom tooth extractions and can help you remove troublesome teeth in Laveen. If you think your wisdom teeth need to be extracted, book online or give us a call at (602) 603-5446. We’re always standing by to help you get relief from your pain and discomfort.