We begin with a comprehensive examination, including X-rays, to assess the position of your wisdom teeth and develop a personalized treatment plan
Your Comfort and Care Are Our Priority
At Elevate Oral Surgery in Northern Virginia, we specialize in wisdom teeth removal, providing expert care to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. Our team of skilled oral surgeons is dedicated to your oral health and overall well-being.
The Wisdom Teeth Removal Process
We offer various anesthesia options, including local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and the complexity of the extraction
The procedure typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Our oral surgeons will gently remove the teeth and ensure that you remain comfortable throughout the process
After the surgery, you’ll be monitored until the effects of anesthesia wear off. Our team will provide you with post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Post-Op Instructions
The removal of wisdom teeth is serious surgery procedure
Unnecessary pain and the chance of complication can be minimized if instructions are followed carefully
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- BLEEDING: You should expect some bleeding following dental extractions. Bleeding will slow as the extraction sites clot. Immediately after your surgery, gauze wedges will be placed in the extraction areas. Please change these wedges with setril cotton gauze every 20-30 minutes until light pink in color. Once light pink, DO NOT place more gauze. If bleeding starts again, resume 20-30 minute gauze packing until it slows again. If bleeding does not slow with normal cotton gauze pressure application, you can place a warm, damp tea bag at the site and bite down gently, applying pressure for 20 minutes. If bleeding does not slow and tea bag application does not help, please contact the surgeon for further assistance.
- PAIN: A certain amount of pain is to be expected following any surgical procedure. If you have been provided pain prescriptions, please take them as directed. If the pain persists or increases, please contact the surgeon. If you experience any itching, rashes or difficulty breathing with the medications provided, please stop taking them immediately and call the surgeon. Discomfort following surgery may increase on the second or third day following the procedure and then should improve each day after that. If pain persists or worsens after 4 days, please notify our office as it may require attention.
- SWELLING/BRUISE:
- SWELLING: Swelling is a normal part of the surgery and healing process. Swelling is a normal part of the surgery and healing process. If you experience any swelling you can apply ice or cold packs at 5 minute intervals (5 on/5 off). Sleeping with your head elevated can reduce swelling. Refrain from physical exertion while experiencing swelling.
- BRUISING: The development of black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is due to blood oozing and spreading beneath the tissues of the mouth and face. This is a normal post-operative occurrence that may occur 2-3 days after the procedure and tae 1-2 weeks to gradually fade away.
- RINSING/BRUSHING: Please do not brush or isne for the first 24 hours after surgery. After 24 hours, you may brush gently but avoid the surgical areas. If you are given a rinse, please use it as directed daily. You may also rinse with warm salt water several times a day to keep the area clean and promote healing.
- EATING/DIET: Please do not smoke for the first 3 days after surgery. Tobacco smoke and additives can irritate and prevent proper healing of the surgical area and leave complications. For the first 24 hours please eat soft, temperature moderate foods. Hot foods can lead to burning eh mouth or extraction site, especially while numb from surgery. Easy to chew foods should be used for the first few days after surgery to allow the sites to begin healing and leave clots in place
- SUTURES: If sutures were used your surgeon will tell you if you need to return to have them removed. More often they will dissolve in 7-14 days. Do not pull on the sutures. If you experience pain, irritation or observe discharge, please contact the office to be seen.
- ACTIVITIES: Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable. Resume normal activities a day or so after surgery. It is best to avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 days following surgery. Please keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery.
- If you have any questions or have an emergency, please call the surgeon with the phone number located at the bottom of your post -operative instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovery varies by individual but typically lasts a few days to a week.
Yes, if you receive sedation or general anesthesia, you’ll need someone to escort you home.
As with any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, and dry socket, but our team takes every precaution to minimize these risks.
You can eat as soon as you leave your appointment, as long as you’re feeling up to it. Stick to a soft food diet for the first three to five days, then add more solid foods as your comfort level allows.
If you get a milkshake or smoothie, use a spoon instead of a straw. Drinking through a straw can dislodge blood clots and cause dry sockets.
- Yogurt.
- Smoothies.
- Pudding.
- Soups.
- Macaroni and cheese.
- Scrambled eggs.
- Applesauce.
- Mashed potatoes.
- Cottage cheese.
- Pureed fruit.
- Cooked vegetables.
Call your dentist or oral surgeon if you develop:
- A fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 degrees Celsius).
- Excessive bleeding.
- Severe pain that doesn’t get better with medication.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Swelling that gets worse after three days.
- An infection (pus) coming from your surgical site.
Wisdom teeth removal recovery time takes one to two weeks on average. But most people can resume school, work and other routines in about three to five days. Your surgeon will give you detailed postoperative instructions to help keep you comfortable while you heal.
- Leave gauze in place for about 30 minutes after your surgery. Replace with clean gauze if necessary. Your surgeon can tell you when to stop using gauze after wisdom tooth extraction. But in general, you can take it out when the bleeding slows. It’s normal to have some oozing, but you shouldn’t have excessive bleeding.
- Rest as much as you can. You should stay at home and recover for at least three to five days. If you have a physically demanding job, you might need to wait longer before returning to work.
- Use an ice pack to help reduce swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a clean towel and place it on your face. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then take it off for 20 minutes. Repeat several times a day.
- Keep extraction sites clean. Gently soak the surgical areas with alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash. Don’t swish. Swishing can dislodge blood clots and cause dry sockets, a painful condition that exposes the bone at your extraction site. Instead, lean your head to each side and let the mouthwash soak the areas.
- Brush and floss the rest of your teeth every day. While you don’t want to brush over the extraction sites, you’ll still need to keep your other teeth clean during recovery. This reduces your risk for infection.
- Take all medications as prescribed. Your surgeon will give you medications to keep you comfortable and reduce your risk of infection. Don’t stop taking these medications until your surgeon says it’s OK.
Wisdom tooth extraction usually takes an hour or less. Complex cases may take longer.