If you need to have all four of your wisdom teeth extracted, you might be wondering if it’s better to take them all out at once, or to extract two in one appointment and two in another.
In this post, we’ll explain why your oral surgeon will usually recommend all four wisdom teeth be extracted in a single surgery and provide a few exceptions to when multiple procedures might be preferred.
Benefits to extracting all four at once
Removing both your upper and lower wisdom teeth in one surgery is perfectly safe, even in the case of impacted wisdom teeth. Here are the reasons why this is typically the best choice:
Less recovery time: The difference in discomfort and recovery time between having two teeth extracted versus four is small. Why go through the healing process twice when you don’t have to?
Lower risk of dry socket and infection: Cut your chances of postop complications by only needing to protect against dry socket or infection once.
Save money: The cost of one procedure will be less than paying for two separate wisdom tooth extractions.
Less disruption: Having your wisdom teeth removed means taking time off work and disrupting your routines.
Reasons why multiple visits might be preferred
Patient requires a complex extraction
Patient will need each wisdom tooth extracted separately using local anesthesia
Patient currently has an oral infection at one or more of the affected teeth
What if only one or two wisdom teeth are bothering me?
Patients who only “need” to have one or two wisdom teeth removed right now sometimes ask if they can leave the others in place, since they are not currently causing a problem.
While this option is technically OK, most people will eventually experience discomfort in their remaining wisdom teeth or other issues later in life. Recovering from oral surgery is easier when you are younger, so extracting the non-problematic teeth as a preventative measure makes the most sense.
Posted by
boms on
Mar 20th, 2023 9:34 am
Filed under
Oral Surgery Blog for Patients, Referring Doctors . You can follow any responses to this entry through the
RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Authorization and Release of Testimonial Information
I understand my photo or video testimonial (the “Testimonial”) made on behalf of Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (hereinafter called “The Practice”) may be used in connection with publicizing and promoting The Practice. I authorize The Practice to use my name, brief biographical information, and the Testimonial as defined on this form.
I hereby irrevocably authorize The Practice to copy, exhibit, publish or distribute the Testimonial for purposes of publicizing The Practice’s services or for any other lawful purpose. These statements may be used in printed publications, multimedia presentations, on websites, social media channels or in any other distribution media. I agree that I will make no monetary or other claim against The Practice for the use of the statement.
In addition, I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written copy, wherein my testimonial appears.
I hereby hold harmless and release The Practice from all claims, demands and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.
Data Privacy
PBHS and its Third Party Providers will have the right to collect, extract, compile, synthesize, and analyze data and information resulting from or relating to the use or operation of the services under this Agreement (“Service Data”). Any Service Data collected by PBHS or any Third Party Provider will be owned by the party collecting the Service Data and may be used by that party for any lawful business purpose without a duty of accounting to you subject to the then current privacy policy applicable to the services under this Agreement. You consent to the use and disclosure of personally identifiable and other data and information as described in this Agreement and in the then-current privacy policy applicable to the services provided under this Agreement (“Privacy Policy”).
Indemnification
You agree to and hereby indemnify, defend, and hold harmless PBHS, its Third Party Providers and their respective affiliates, employees, agents, contractors, assigns, licensees, and successors in interest (“Indemnified Parties”) from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees, expenses, and costs (including attorneys’ fees, court costs, damage awards, and settlement amounts) that result from or relate to any claim or allegation against any Indemnified Party arising from you accessing or using the services provided under this Agreement (including any Third Party Services) or from any email or other communication generated or sent through such services or any content contained therein, whether or not in breach of this Agreement.
Messaging Program
PBHS offers subscription text message programs. Customers may ask their agent to enroll them in a text message alert program. Once enrolled in SMS texting services, you will have an opportunity to confirm or decline the service via a reply to an initial text message you receive. By agreeing to these terms of service, you are confirming a subscription to this text message program.Message frequency varies.
PBHS does not have a separate charge for this service; however,message and data rates may applyfrom your mobile carrier. Subject to the terms and conditions of your mobile carrier, you may receive text messages sent to your mobile phone. Participation in the programs on this short code is standard rated.
By providing your consent to participate in this program, you approve any such charges from your mobile carrier. Charges for text messages may appear on your mobile phone bill or be deducted from your prepaid balance. PBHS reserves the right to terminate this SMS service, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. The information in any message may be subject to certain time lags and/or delays. You are responsible for managing the types of SMS texts you receive.
Privacy Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about our privacy policy you may contact us using the information below:
We reserve the right to make changes to this policy. Any changes to this policy will be posted.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
The first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment. Please contact our office by phone or complete the appointment request form below. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment.
