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X-ray and plan
A panoramic X-ray shows the position of the roots and how close they sit to the nerve in the lower jaw. The dentist explains whether a simple or surgical removal is needed.
Same-day wisdom tooth appointments
Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal: Stop the Pain and Infection
Wisdom teeth cause trouble when there is no room for them. A partly erupted tooth traps food and bacteria under the gum flap, and the infection that follows is one of the most common reasons for an emergency dental visit.
1-855-219-4656 Can I get a wisdom tooth removed today?
Often, yes. Call 1-855-219-4656 and we match you with a partner dentist or oral surgeon who takes same-day wisdom tooth cases. An erupted tooth comes out in about 30 minutes. An impacted tooth is a short surgical procedure of 45 to 90 minutes and costs roughly $300 to $900 per tooth without insurance. If the gum is badly infected, the dentist may clean the area and start antibiotics first, then remove the tooth within a few days.
Wisdom tooth pain has a habit of flaring at the weekend, easing for a few days, then coming back worse. Each episode is the same infection under the same gum flap. Removing the tooth ends the cycle for good, and for most people the recovery is easier than the weeks of on-and-off pain that came before it.
When a wisdom tooth should come out urgently
- Pain and swelling of the gum behind the last molar, often with a bad taste (pericoronitis)
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully or pain when swallowing on one side
- Repeated infections of the gum flap over a partly erupted tooth
- Decay in the wisdom tooth or the molar in front of it that cannot be reached to fill
- A cyst or damage to the neighboring tooth showing on an X-ray
Swelling that spreads down the neck or makes breathing difficult needs the emergency room first. For milder pain while you wait to be seen, read wisdom tooth pain.
What happens during wisdom tooth removal
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Anesthetic and sedation
The area is numbed with local anesthetic. Nitrous oxide, oral sedation or IV sedation can be added for anxious patients or for multiple teeth.
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Removal and stitches
Erupted teeth are elevated and lifted out. Impacted teeth are exposed through the gum, divided if needed, and removed in pieces. Dissolving stitches close the site.
Cost of emergency wisdom tooth removal
| Type | Without insurance | With insurance (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 | $0–$50 |
| Erupted wisdom tooth, simple extraction | $150–$400 | $30–$150 |
| Impacted wisdom tooth, per tooth | $300–$900 | $100–$450 |
| Drainage and antibiotics for infection first | $200–$500 | $50–$200 |
| Nitrous, oral or IV sedation | $50–$300 | Usually not covered |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. National ranges from partner clinics; city pages show local figures. Lower wisdom teeth and deeply buried teeth sit at the top of the range. Removing all four at once is usually cheaper per tooth. See the dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide. See the emergency dental cost guide.
Recovery after wisdom tooth removal
- Keep firm pressure on the gauze for 30 to 45 minutes, then change it only if bleeding continues.
- Ice the cheek for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first day. Swelling peaks around day two or three and then eases.
- No smoking, straws, spitting or alcohol for at least 72 hours. These are the main causes of dry socket.
- Eat soft, lukewarm foods such as yogurt, eggs and soup. Avoid seeds and crunchy snacks that can lodge in the socket.
- From day two, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals. Call the dentist if pain suddenly worsens after day three.
Find same-day wisdom tooth removal in your city
- Washington, DC
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- All states
Related services and guides
- Emergency tooth extraction
- Emergency oral surgery
- Sedation for anxious patients
- Abscess drainage and antibiotics
Related emergency guides: Wisdom tooth pain, Dry socket, Swollen face from tooth infection.
Wisdom Tooth Removal FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
How long is recovery after wisdom tooth removal?
Most people are back at work or school in two to three days after a simple removal and within a week after an impacted one. Full healing of the socket takes a few weeks.
Will I be put to sleep?
Not necessarily. Local anesthetic alone is enough for many single extractions. Sedation is offered for anxious patients, for impacted teeth, or when several teeth come out at once.
Can an infected wisdom tooth be removed the same day?
Often, yes. A dentist can extract through mild infection with local anesthetic. If the infection is severe and the area will not numb well, they treat it with antibiotics first and remove the tooth a few days later.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost?
An erupted tooth costs $150 to $400 without insurance. An impacted tooth runs $300 to $900. Sedation and the X-ray are billed separately.
Do all wisdom teeth need to come out?
No. Wisdom teeth that have erupted fully, bite properly and can be cleaned can stay. Removal is recommended when they are causing pain, infection, decay or damage to the tooth in front.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: ADA MouthHealthy, Wisdom Teeth, Mayo Clinic, Dry socket. Editorial policy.
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