How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take? Many people ask this question when they feel wisdom tooth growth in their oral cavity. Are you one of them? Remember, the time it takes depends on different factors, like the position of the tooth and the ease of removal.
Some extractions are quick and take just a few minutes, while others can take a little longer. Our blog post solves this query in detail. We will first explain some important points about wisdom teeth and then discuss the extraction process in simple terms.
Read on to find out more!
What is a Wisdom Tooth?
A wisdom tooth is a final molar that normally grows at the backside of your mouth. Most people have four, but some have fewer or none at all. Problems arise when these teeth do not have much space to grow properly, leading to issues such as:
- Impaction: When teeth may fail to erupt through the gum line.
- Crowding: where misaligned growth exerts pressure on nearby teeth.
- Decay: Due to difficulty in cleaning, resulting in cavities and gum diseases.
What If You Keep Your Wisdom Teeth?
Not everyone needs to remove their wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth grow straight, fully erupt, and are easy to clean, you may keep them. Still, you should get regular X-rays to ensure no hidden issues develop. You should also maintain strict oral hygiene because they can easily decay due to their location.
When Do You Need to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Different people suggest different conditions for emergency tooth extraction. However, according to experts, wisdom teeth removal is necessary if the:
- Cause severe swelling or pain
- Lead to infections.
- Damage neighboring teeth.
- Form tumors or cysts in your mouth.
- Make maintenance of oral hygiene difficult.
When you face these challenges, your dentist may recommend surgery. Proper dental monitoring is sometimes enough to overcome these conditions, and you do not need to have any surgery. Early extraction (often in the late teens or early twenties) is a better solution when you feel any of the above symptoms. Its benefits are as follows:
- Faster healing due to younger, more resilient bone and gum tissues.
- Prevention of potential dental complications like misalignment and decay.
- Reduced risk of surgery-related issues as the roots are less developed.
Now, we will step towards knowing the removal process of wisdom teeth deeply.
How is a Wisdom Tooth Removed?
The answer to this question has three main parts. The first part concerns the preparation for wisdom tooth extraction, the second deals with the proper procedure, and the third discusses aftercare and recovery. We will explain all three in sequence.

Preparation for Wisdom Tooth Removal
Getting ready for the procedure involves consultation with a dental professional. It may include X-rays to assess the alveolar posture, form, orientation, and state of the teeth.
An anesthetic plan to consider the most suitable anesthesia, either local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, is also a considerable point for making preparations. It also involves pre-surgical instructions such that patients should not consume anything, including water, a few hours before surgery, especially under general anesthesia.
Some dentists also prefer sharing your medical history, including allergies and current medications, so they can undergo the procedure accordingly.
The Procedure
This part of our blog post will answer the question, “How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take?” A dentist can perform a surgical extraction of wisdom teeth or may advise you to go to a hospital, clinic, or another branch of the dental surgery.
The procedure generally starts with a local anesthetic injection into your gum for the surgery, so you will not feel any pain that may occur. Sedatives or general anesthetics can also make you drowsy or sleepy. This first step is to relax you from the fear of acute pain.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a routine procedure performed by dentists or oral surgeons. Below is what typically happens:
- A dentist or surgeon will open your gum if it covers the tooth.
- They will expand the gap where your tooth fits into the gum.
- The tooth will be removed in 1 segment or divided into 2 or 3 segments.
- Finally, they stitch your gum with the help of dissolvable stitches.
This procedure can take 5 to 10 minutes; the longest is not more than 40 minutes. Usually, you can be discharged on the same day of the operation. If you had a general anesthetic, you can stay in the hospital overnight.
Aftercare and Recovery
Recovery from wisdom tooth removal can vary but generally takes 1-2 weeks. When you want smooth healing, follow these valuable tips.
- Use prescribed painkillers and apply ice packs in the first 24 hours.
- Use soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soups for a few days.
- Clean gently with warm salt water 24 hours after the procedure.
- Do not brush directly on the extraction site.
- Avoid smoking because it can dislodge the blood clot.
Furthermore, you should avoid hard physical activities and focus on rest to speed up recovery. If you want a successful surgery, we recommend a reliable clinic named Valiente Dental. Here, you will find experts whose previous records of operations can make you trust them blindly.
Why Choose Valiente Dental for Molar Tooth Implant?
Selecting the right clinic plays a major role in perfectly carrying out the procedure. That’s why we are again suggesting Valiente Dental due to these reasons:
- Here, dentists or oral surgeons with expertise in wisdom teeth extraction are under one roof.
- This clinic is licensed and certified by relevant dental boards.
- Both success history and patient reviews are wonderful.
- You can comfortably discuss your concerns, treatment options, and recovery plan with experts.
Final Thoughts!
Removing your wisdom tooth is something that many young adults go through. Dentists often suggest it to prevent future problems. No doubt, wisdom tooth extraction is not an exciting thing, but it can save you a lot of trouble, stress, and money, especially if your wisdom tooth is damaging your nearby teeth. If you are unsure about removing it, ask your dentist. They can advise you on what is best for your situation.