How long does wisdom teeth removal take?

The surgical procedure typically takes 30–90 minutes depending on the number of teeth removed, the level of impaction, and root anatomy. Plan to be at our office approximately 2–3 hours total on the day of surgery, including pre-procedure preparation and post-sedation monitoring.

Is wisdom teeth removal painful?

No. You will not feel pain during the surgery. We use local numbing or IV sedation. With IV sedation, most patients do not remember the surgery. Soreness after surgery is mild to moderate. It is worst on days 2 and 3. Most patients use over-the-counter pain pills.

Do all four wisdom teeth need to be removed at the same time?

In most cases, yes. We remove all four in one visit when we can. That means one surgery and one short recovery. Your surgeon checks your X-rays first. We then build a plan that fits your case.

When can I return to work or school after wisdom teeth removal?

Most desk workers and students go back in 2 to 4 days. People with active jobs need 5 to 7 days off. The mouth heals fully over a few weeks. Most patients feel close to normal in one week.

What is dry socket and how do I prevent it?

Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket falls out too soon. The bone is then exposed. Pain gets worse 3 to 5 days after surgery. To help prevent it, do not use straws. Do not spit hard. Do not smoke. Follow our diet rules. Call us right away if you have symptoms.

Do you accept insurance for wisdom teeth removal?

Yes. Most dental plans cover part of the cost. They cover more when the teeth are impacted. We check your plan before your visit. We then send you a cost estimate.

What age is best for wisdom teeth removal?

The AAOMS suggests a check-up by the late teens. Removal is easier when roots are not yet fully formed. The best window is age 16 to 22. Adults of any age can still have it done safely. Risks rise a bit after age 25.

What does wisdom teeth removal cost in Indianapolis without insurance?

Without insurance, per-tooth surgical fees in Indianapolis generally run: $300–$650 for a simple extraction (erupted); $550–$700 for a soft tissue impaction; $650–$800 for a partial bony impaction; $800–$1,100+ for a full bony impaction. IV sedation is billed separately in 15-minute increments — generally $525–$550 per increment — and a typical wisdom-teeth case runs about 45 minutes (roughly $1,550–$1,650). All four impacted teeth with IV sedation typically totals $4,500–$6,500. We send a written per-tooth estimate before treatment. Pricing reviewed April 2026. These are general Indianapolis estimates — your actual fee depends on case complexity, anesthesia time, and insurance. We provide a written estimate before any treatment.

Safe & Comfortable Extraction · Wisdom Teeth Removal Indianapolis

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Indianapolis

Name: Oral Surgeons of Indiana
Address: 8240 Naab Road, Suite 355, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, US
Telephone: (317) 876-1095
Price range: $$$

Expert wisdom teeth removal by board-certified oral surgeons in Indianapolis. IV sedation, same-day appointments, and affordable care at Oral Surgeons of Indiana.

Call (317) 876-1095 Schedule Consultation

Do I Really Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Key Facts

≈85%
of adults will eventually have at least one wisdom tooth removed.
— AAOMS clinical guidelines
30–90 min
typical surgical time for removal of all four wisdom teeth.
— OSOI clinical experience
3–5 days
average return to normal daily activities after surgery.
— Published OMS clinical literature
1–5%
incidence of dry socket after lower third-molar extraction.
— AAOMS clinical guidelines
100%
of OSOI surgeons are board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).
— OSOI clinical experience

Who Needs This Procedure

You may need your wisdom teeth removed if they are impacted (trapped under bone or gum), causing pain or infection, damaging adjacent second molars, or unable to be cleaned properly. Your dentist or oral surgeon can confirm with a panoramic X-ray, and we add a 3D CBCT scan when the anatomy warrants it — for example, lower wisdom teeth that sit close to the inferior alveolar nerve.

What Happens During the Procedure

Consultation and imaging
30–45 min
Your surgeon reviews your medical history and your imaging — typically a panoramic X-ray, with a 3D cone beam CT (CBCT) scan added when the anatomy warrants it (for example, lower wisdom teeth that sit close to the inferior alveolar nerve). See our imaging guide.
Anesthesia
10 min
Local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation is administered by your board-certified surgeon, who is also ACLS-certified and trained in in-office anesthesia.
Extraction
30–90 min total
Each tooth is gently sectioned and removed through the existing socket. Stitches are placed when needed to support healing.
Recovery in our suite
20–45 min
You rest in a private recovery area until you are alert and stable. Written and verbal post-operative instructions are reviewed with you and your driver.
Discharge
5–10 min
You are released to a responsible adult who drives you home with your written post-operative instructions. Call us anytime if you have questions or concerns during recovery.

Recovery Timeline

Day 1

Bleeding tapers within hours. Swelling begins. Eat soft, cool foods (yogurt, applesauce, smoothies — no straws). Use prescribed pain medication on a schedule.

Watch for: Bleeding that soaks gauze every 30 minutes after the first 4 hours.

Days 2–3

Swelling and jaw stiffness usually peak. Continue cold compresses for the first 24–48 hours, then switch to warm compresses.

Watch for: Fever above 101°F, pus, or sudden severe pain.

Days 4–7

Most patients return to school or desk work. Begin gentle saltwater rinses after 24 hours. Diet expands to soft pasta, eggs, and fish.

Watch for: New, throbbing pain that radiates to the ear (possible dry socket).

Week 2

Stitches dissolve or are removed. Most discomfort resolves. You can resume normal exercise.

Weeks 3–6

Sockets continue closing. Bone fills in over the next several months. Brush gently around the surgical sites.

Risks and Complications

Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most studied outpatient surgical procedures. Reported risks include dry socket (1–5% of lower extractions), temporary lip or tongue numbness from inferior alveolar nerve irritation (under 1% permanent), infection (under 2%), and minor sinus communication for upper teeth (under 1%). — AAOMS clinical guidelines.

How OSOI Does This Differently

Wisdom teeth cases at OSOI are performed by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and supported by ACLS-certified anesthesia delivered by the same surgeon — not a separate provider. 3D cone beam CT imaging is used when the anatomy warrants it, such as lower wisdom teeth in close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve. We have served Central Indiana since 1998 and our three surgeons are diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Anesthesia options for wisdom teeth removal

Anesthesia options for wisdom teeth removal
	Local only	Nitrous + local	IV sedation
Awareness during surgery	Fully awake	Awake, very relaxed	Drowsy / no memory
Discomfort during surgery	None — area numb	None — area numb	None — area numb
Recovery time in office	~10 min	15–20 min	30–60 min
Driver required	No	Recommended	Required
Best for	Simple, single tooth	Mild anxiety	All four impacted, anxiety

Local only

Awareness during surgery: Fully awake
Discomfort during surgery: None — area numb
Recovery time in office: ~10 min
Driver required: No
Best for: Simple, single tooth

Nitrous + local

Awareness during surgery: Awake, very relaxed
Discomfort during surgery: None — area numb
Recovery time in office: 15–20 min
Driver required: Recommended
Best for: Mild anxiety

IV sedation

Awareness during surgery: Drowsy / no memory
Discomfort during surgery: None — area numb
Recovery time in office: 30–60 min
Driver required: Required
Best for: All four impacted, anxiety

Cost and Insurance

Most dental insurance plans cover impacted wisdom teeth removal at 50–80%. We verify your dental benefits prior to your appointment and provide a written estimate before treatment. Medical insurance may apply in some cases; we recommend confirming any medical-side coverage directly with your medical carrier. For uninsured patients in Indianapolis, all four impacted teeth with IV sedation typically totals $4,500–$6,500 (surgical fees plus about 45 minutes of IV sedation at $525–$550 per 15-minute increment). The breakdown by impaction level is shown below. Financing is available through CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit — see /oral-surgery-cost-financing for details. Pricing reviewed April 2026. These are general Indianapolis estimates — your actual fee depends on case complexity, anesthesia time, and insurance. We provide a written estimate before any treatment.

Wisdom teeth fees by impaction level (Indianapolis, uninsured)
Type	Typical fee	When it applies
Simple extraction (erupted)	$300–$650	Tooth fully erupted and visible.
Soft tissue impaction	$550–$700	Tooth partially through the gum; no bone covering.
Partial bony impaction	$650–$800	Tooth partially covered by bone.
Full bony impaction	$800–$1,100+	Tooth completely beneath bone — most surgical complexity. Complicated cases run higher.
All four + IV sedation (typical)	$4,500–$6,500

Pricing reviewed April 2026. These are general Indianapolis estimates — your actual fee depends on case complexity, anesthesia time, and insurance. We provide a written estimate before any treatment.

About This Procedure

Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back of your mouth, behind your second molars. Their development is usually completed between the middle teenage years and early twenties, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of wisdom.

Although most people develop and grow 32 permanent adult teeth, many times their jaws are too small to accommodate the four wisdom teeth. When inadequate space prevents the teeth from erupting they are called impacted. This indicates their inability to erupt into the proper position for chewing and cleaning.

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Infection and pain in the gum tissue
Damage to adjacent teeth
Development of cysts
Crowding of other teeth

The Procedure Our doctors are trained in all aspects of anesthesia and can provide IV sedation to ensure a comfortable experience. The procedure is typically performed in our state-of-the-art office surgical suites.

Procedure Overview

A brief overview of what to expect before, during, and after wisdom teeth removal — from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Procedures

See also our cost and financing guide and IV sedation options.

Schedule Your Consultation

Call us today to discuss your treatment options with one of our board-certified surgeons.

(317) 876-1095

Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Fri: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Sat-Sun: Closed

Key Benefits

Prevent overcrowding and misalignment
Reduce risk of infection and cysts
Protect adjacent healthy teeth
IV sedation for anxiety-free experience
Quick recovery with advanced techniques
Experienced and skilled surgeons

Post-Operative Care

Follow our aftercare instructions for the best recovery.

After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Recovering at home?

Step-by-step post-op instructions written for the patient and their caregiver — bleeding, swelling, food, medications, and when to call.

Read the post-op guide

Insurance & Financing

Most major dental and medical insurance plans accepted. Financing available through CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit.

Learn About Financing