If you have just been told your wisdom teeth need to come out, it is completely normal to feel a little anxious. Between the procedure itself, the recovery, and the fear of the unknown, wisdom teeth removal tends to carry more worry than it deserves. The good news is that it is one of the most common oral surgery procedures we perform, and with the right team, most patients are surprised by how manageable the whole process really is.
Here is a plain-language walkthrough of what to expect at every stage, from your first consultation at our Jacksonville office to the day you are back to eating normally.
Why Wisdom Teeth Often Need to Come Out
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to develop, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. For most people, there simply is not enough room in the jaw to accommodate them. When wisdom teeth do not have space to erupt properly, they can become impacted, meaning they are stuck beneath the gumline or growing at an angle toward neighboring teeth.
Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, crowding, cyst formation, and damage to adjacent teeth. In many cases, removal is recommended even before symptoms appear to prevent these complications from developing.
Before Your Appointment: What to Do
Before your procedure, you will come in for a consultation with one of our board-certified oral surgeons. We will take 3D CBCT images of your jaw to see the precise position of your wisdom teeth, including how deep they are and how close they sit to nerves and sinuses. This imaging allows us to plan your procedure with accuracy and prepare you for realistic expectations about recovery.
Before the day of surgery, you will receive detailed pre-op instructions. If you are having IV sedation, which we strongly recommend for most wisdom tooth removals, you will need to fast for several hours beforehand and arrange for a ride home.
During the Procedure: What Happens in the Chair
Most wisdom tooth removals at our Jacksonville office take between 30 and 90 minutes depending on how many teeth are being removed and how complex the extractions are. If you have chosen IV sedation, you will be comfortable and have little to no memory of the procedure.
For impacted teeth, your surgeon will make a small incision in the gum to access the tooth, section it if necessary for easier removal, and then clean and close the surgical site. You will not feel pain during the procedure, just occasional pressure, which is completely normal.
After the Procedure: Recovery Timeline
This is where most of the questions come in, so let us be specific:
- Days 1 and 2: Rest, keep your head elevated, and apply ice packs in 20-minute intervals to manage swelling. Stick to soft foods and avoid straws, because the suction can disrupt the blood clot forming in the socket and lead to a painful condition called dry socket.
- Days 3 and 4: Swelling often peaks around day 3 before it starts to go down. Warm compresses can help at this stage. Most patients manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers or a short prescription.
- Days 5 through 7: Most patients feel significantly better by the end of the first week. Stitches are usually dissolvable and do not require removal. Soft foods are still recommended.
- Weeks 2 through 4: Energy returns to normal, and most people are back to their regular routine within 7 to 10 days. Full tissue healing takes a few weeks.
What to Watch For
Most recoveries are uneventful, but it is important to know the warning signs that something needs attention. Contact our office if you experience a significant increase in pain after the first few days, fever, swelling that is getting worse rather than better, or numbness that does not improve. These are uncommon, but we are always here if you need us.
Why Patients in Jacksonville Choose First Coast Oral Surgery
Our team of board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons has performed thousands of wisdom tooth extractions across Northeast Florida. We use advanced 3D imaging to plan every procedure, offer IV sedation for a calm and comfortable experience, and have five convenient locations, including our Baymeadows-area Jacksonville office, to serve patients across the region.
You do not have to be nervous. We will walk you through everything, answer every question, and make sure you know exactly what to expect before you ever sit in the chair.