Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are typically the last teeth to erupt into the mouth. For some people, these teeth emerge normally and without problems. However, many other people opt for wisdom teeth removal, either to promote a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come or to resolve issues that have developed because the wisdom teeth weren’t extracted previously.

As oral and maxillofacial specialists with decades of experience, our doctors have performed hundreds of wisdom teeth removal procedures. Patients and families in the area rely on our practice in part because of the skill and innovative techniques we bring to their treatment and in part for the personal and attentive care we offer.

Wisdom Teeth Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of wisdom teeth, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to wisdom teeth are discussed.


Wisdom Teeth Management from AAOMS.org

What Is Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Wisdom teeth removal is extremely common. General dentists and orthodontists often recommend that their patients have the surgery in their teens or twenties, referring their care to our practice because our specialists have trained extensively in these types of procedures.

Patients who choose to have treatment at a younger age can prevent:

  • Chronic infections.
  • The formation of cysts around the wisdom teeth.
  • Cavities that spread from the third molars to adjacent teeth.

Preventative wisdom teeth removal patients are the majority of cases that we see in our practice. However, we also provide care for older adults who have not yet had their wisdom teeth extracted. Patients at this stage are often experiencing pain, infection, and damage to their teeth and the procedure helps alleviate these symptoms.

What to expect from the wisdom teeth removal procedure?

Capital Center® for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery prioritizes patient comfort, safety, and effective outcomes. Our specialists spend significant time in consultation so that patients can choose treatment with confidence. For younger patients, this usually involves their parents as well. Meeting with our doctors gives families the chance to get to know us and our staff and to learn more about the surgery.

During wisdom teeth removal procedures, we use a variety of techniques and resources to improve the patient experience and limit recovery time:

  • Pre-operative medications help prevent infection and inflammation.
  • A range of anesthetic options allow our patients to be pain-free and completely relaxed in the procedure. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we have years of advanced training and certification in anesthesia.
  • Antibiotics applied to the surgical site can all but eliminate the risk of dry socket (a low-grade infection common after wisdom teeth removal).
  • EXPAREL®, a non-opioid medication, can completely numb the area for 2-3 days without affecting the tongue or lips.

Dr. Robert Emery, the founder of our practice, is also the co-creator of X-GUIDE. This dynamic 3D navigation technology provides an unprecedented vision for surgeons during procedures. Patients with complex needs related to wisdom teeth removal benefit from X-GUIDE, as it allows our doctors to work at a more precise level of detail, resulting in a less invasive procedure.

Procedures take place in our AAAHC-compliant facility, one of the few of its kind. This level of accreditation demonstrates that the practice meets or exceeds nationally-recognized standards for care.

Typically, wisdom teeth removal patients receive both local anesthetic and deep IV sedation. The combination allows patients to be comfortable and relaxed as the procedure takes place. Most people don’t recognize that any time has passed from the moment they sit down in a treatment chair to the moment the surgery is over, and they wake up without pain.


Having Third Molar Surgery from AAOMS.org

What is the Recovery From Wisdom Teeth Removal Like?

After the doctor extracts the wisdom teeth, patients will spend time in a private recovery room with a dedicated nurse, who will monitor them as part of the practice’s safety protocols. They can expect to go home shortly afterwards, driven by another responsible adult.

Capital Center® for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will provide extensive post-operative instructions for care, which typically include:

  • Taking medication for pain management.
  • Keeping the surgical sites clean.
  • Following guidelines for eating and drinking.

It’s normal to experience some swelling after wisdom teeth removal, and this swelling should go down within 7-10 days. We will call patients one week after surgery to see how they are feeling and to address any questions or concerns that they may have. By the end of their recovery, patients can expect a normal, comfortable, and healthy smile.

Wisdom Teeth Removal FAQs

  • What Are the Consequences of Not Getting My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

    Unfortunately, patients can experience a number of complications if they wait to have their wisdom teeth removed. Because there often isn’t enough room for the wisdom teeth, they may not emerge fully from the gums, a problem which is known as impaction. Impacted teeth can press on adjacent teeth, causing pain, misalignment, and even damage. This pain is more than a simple toothache because it can radiate from the teeth all the way throughout the jaw and head. What’s more, sometimes teeth only emerge from the gums partially. This makes it extremely hard for patients to clean the entire tooth, and bacteria can often get under the gums and cause extreme decay. This decay can spread from the wisdom teeth to other teeth in the mouth, contributing to overall poor oral health.

  • How Long Will I Have to Be Off Work After Having Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery?

    Because wisdom teeth removal surgery can affect a patient’s diet and requires rest for the healing to begin, most patients take two to three days off work. One of those days off is for the surgery and then the patient should rest comfortably at their home for another day or two. After about a day, it should be no problem for the patient to return to their normal routine. Of course, it’s entirely up to the patient how long they’d like to take off, especially if they have a job that can be more intense than the traditional office setting. Typically, the usual recovery time for patients is about three days to a week – it all depends on how many wisdom teeth were removed and how severely they were impacted.

  • Teeth Removed If They Are Not Causing Any Pain?

    If the wisdom teeth aren’t causing any pain, it’s possible they may not need to be removed. However, the only way to know for sure is for patients to schedule a consultation at our office. At this consultation, Drs. Emery, Retana, and DiFabio can use X-rays and other technology to see how the wisdom teeth look inside the gums. If the wisdom teeth are impacted or don’t appear to have enough room to emerge, our doctors will recommend their removal, even if the patient isn’t currently experiencing pain. Usually, it’s only a matter of time before pain, tooth damage, and infection start to plague the patient’s mouth. It’s much better to be proactive about wisdom teeth removal, as it can help patients avoid experiencing uncomfortable symptoms.

  • Should I Have All My Wisdom Teeth Removed at Once?

    Generally, it is best to have all the wisdom teeth removed at once. That way the patient only has to deal with one surgery and one recovery period. Because the patient will only have to schedule one operative appointment at our office and undergo sedation one time, a one-time removal can be far cheaper than multiple sessions. What’s more, the recovery time for wisdom teeth removal is the same whether the patient has one tooth or all four teeth extracted. Having them all done in one session can eliminate the number of days a patient needs to take off work or school. Additionally, patients will only need to go on soft food or liquid diet one time, which can often be a struggle as well.

  • Why Don’t We Have Room for Wisdom Teeth?

    The main reason humans no longer have room for wisdom teeth is that our diets have changed. Early humans ate very course diets with high fiber content that was difficult to chew. This tough diet meant we needed very strong jaw muscles to grind and crush this tough diet. As we developed as children, our jaws responded and were larger in the molar areas. If we look at the jaws of early humans, you rarely see impacted teeth. You also do not see many cavities as we also did not have processed sugars. This meant early man did not usually get cavities. As our diets have gotten softer and less fibrous, our jaws have gotten smaller. This means those third molars don’t have any room to move into the jaw. It is too small. The only solution for our patients is to have them removed.

  • What Can I Eat After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

    There are plenty of foods for patients to eat after their wisdom teeth extraction at our office. For the first couple of days, patients will want to avoid hard or crunchy foods, as well as chewing in the back of their mouth. They should stick to soft or liquid foods only so that their mouth has time to heal. Some of the best foods include:

    • Soup or broth, especially blended soups like tomato or pumpkin. It’s important that the soup isn’t too hot or else it could cause irritation.
    • Greek yogurt, as it’s packed with protein and vitamins.
    • Ice cream, as the coolness can feel great on the mouth.
    • Smoothies, as they’re a great way to get nutrients.
    • Mashed fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes, bananas, apples, or pumpkins.

To learn more about wisdom teeth removal, schedule a consultation with Capital Center® for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery online or by calling us at (202) 386-7100.