Careful and precise wisdom tooth removal to stop pain!
Wisdom tooth is the third molar right at the back of your mouth and is usually the last to erupt in the mouth around the age of 17 to 25 (early adulthood).
The most common problem with lower wisdom teeth is that they get impacted and do not grow out straight leading to mouth pain. Limited space in the jaw bones often leads to complications with wisdom teeth. Being partially hidden beneath the gum tissue in most cases, they are hard to brush, and a good place for food to be trapped in your molars, which is a breeding ground for bacteria, and eventually cause you problems like discomfort or worse, tooth decay.
This may eventually result in the gums getting infected and swollen, or other dental problems like tooth decay of the second molar tooth next to it due to the inability to maintain good oral hygiene at that region. Food can easily become trapped around partially erupted wisdom teeth, leading to plaque buildup and decay.
During the consultation, our dentist will take a full mouth panoramic X-ray to determine if your impacted wisdom teeth can be extracted (wisdom tooth extraction) or surgical procedure is required (wisdom tooth surgery).
In some complex cases where the root of the wisdom tooth is near the nerve area, a 3D CBCT scan may be required, and these can all be done conveniently by a professional dentist in our clinic!
If your wisdom teeth is growing out straight and not blocked by any bone or gums, our dentist may suggest that it could be possible to remove by a standard extraction procedure. This is most common for your upper wisdom teeth.
During this procedure, local anaesthesia will be given to numb up the area so that you will not experience any pain.
A surgical procedure by surgeons may be required for impacted wisdom teeth that are not growing out straight or being blocked from erupting.
Wisdom teeth surgery is not as scary as it sounds. It is just a minor surgery that involves the lifting of overlying gums to expose the tooth hidden beneath. The impacted wisdom tooth may then be sectioned into smaller pieces to be removed.
After the surgery, the gums will be stitched back to its original position. With local anaesthesia, you will not feel any pain during the procedure.
After the extraction or surgery, you may experience minor bleeding at the site.
This is entirely normal and can be easily stopped by biting tight onto a piece of sterile gauze for about half an hour. For surgery cases, painkillers, antibiotics, and an antiseptic mouthwash are usually prescribed to help you cope better over the next few days. An iced pack will be given to you immediately after the surgery to minimize facial swelling over the next few days.
You will be given up to 5 days of medical leave to rest well after the surgery. A follow-up appointment will be arranged for you to come back seven days later for review and remove stitches.
Be it wisdom teeth extraction or wisdom tooth surgery, here are some things to avoid immediately after the wisdom tooth removal to avoid problems and aid in faster recovery:
Related: What to eat after wisdom tooth surgery
Blood clot will form in the tooth socket, where the wisdom tooth was removed, to speed up the healing process. These activities above may cause the newly formed blood clot to dislodge, exposing the bone and tissues beneath, causing pain and discomfort.
Removal is often recommended when wisdom teeth:
Regular dental check-ups can help determine the optimal timing for extraction, often before complications arise.
If your wisdom tooth is growing out straight and not blocked by any bone or gums, our dentist may suggest that it could be possible to remove by a standard extraction procedure. This is most common for your upper wisdom teeth.
During this procedure, local anaesthesia will be given to numb up the area so that you will not experience any pain.
Procedure Type | Description |
Simple Extraction | For teeth that have fully erupted; involves local anesthesia and removal. |
Surgical Extraction | For impacted teeth; may require incision, bone removal, and stitches. |
In complex cases, a 3D CBCT scan may be utilized for detailed imaging.
Potential Complications
While complications are rare, be aware of:
Contact your dentist or oral surgeon if you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection.
Understanding Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there is not enough room in the jaw for the tooth to erupt properly, causing it to become trapped or stuck. This can lead to a range of problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and painful gum inflammation. Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause cysts or tumors to form around the tooth, which can damage the surrounding bone and teeth. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may not cause any symptoms, but they can still lead to future oral health problems if left untreated. Regular dental check-ups can help identify impacted wisdom teeth early on, and wisdom tooth removal can prevent more serious complications from developing.
An oral surgeon, also known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, is a specialized dentist who performs surgical procedures to treat problems with the teeth, jaw, and surrounding tissues. Oral surgeons play a crucial role in wisdom tooth removal, as they are trained to handle complex cases and minimize the risk of complications. During a wisdom tooth removal procedure, the oral surgeon will:
In some cases, the oral surgeon may need to remove surrounding bone or tissue to access the impacted tooth.
Visiting a dental clinic for wisdom tooth removal is a relatively straightforward process. Before the procedure, the dentist or oral surgeon will examine the tooth and surrounding area to determine the best course of action.
The patient will be given instructions on how to prepare for the procedure, including eating a good meal beforehand.
During the procedure, the patient will be seated in a dental chair and administered local anesthesia to numb the area.
After the procedure, the patient will be given instructions on how to care for the extraction site, including taking pain medication and eating a soft diet.
Comfortable cozy experience with our friendly and experienced team!
After-care services to ensure your speedy recovery
Reasonable price which are fully Medisave claimable
X-ray and 3D CBCT system for better treatment planning
Specialist available for complex wisdom teeth cases
FAQ
When you start to feel mouth pain or discomfort, it is a must for you to remove the impacted wisdom tooth.
However, you do not always have to wait for this stage before you remove your wisdom tooth. During a routine check-up, once we notice that your wisdom tooth is not growing out well or hard to maintain the cleanliness, it is advisable to remove the impacted wisdom teeth before any complications occur.
Some common signs that you should consider removing your impacted wisdom teeth soon is when:
During your initial wisdom tooth consultation with our doctor, a full mouth x-ray (OPG) will be taken to examine the condition and position of your wisdom tooth.
All the findings will be explained to you so that you can understand your condition better too. Feel free to discuss any of your concerns with our doctor too and let them know if you have any medical condition or allergies. In some cases, the procedure may require oral and maxillofacial surgeon to ensure proper removal and minimize complications.
If surgery is required for your wisdom tooth removal, a longer appointment will be arranged with you. Since local anesthesia will be given to you to numb up your mouth, it is advisable for you to have a proper meal prior to your wisdom tooth surgery appointment. Our clinic is equipped to handle complex cases requiring specialist, ensuring comprehensive care.
Also, since you will be given 3-5 days of MC after wisdom tooth surgery, do plan your schedule prior to the wisdom tooth surgery so that you can rest well without feeling anxious or stressed about work or school!
Medisave can only be used for surgical procedures. Medisave can be used for surgical extraction of wisdom teeth, ensuring that patients receive the necessary care without financial burden.
Hence, Yes, it can be used for wisdom tooth surgery if you are Singaporean and PR.
However, Medisave cannot be used for a normal wisdom tooth extraction (non surgical).
Swelling for the initial few days after the wisdom teeth surgery is normal. It can be easily managed by following our post-op advice. Proper care is essential to ensure healing gums and prevent complications.
Dry socket can occur when those newly formed blood clot gets dislodged from the wisdom tooth extraction site. This may expose the wound and causes poor healing, resulting in pain and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur if the blood clot is dislodged, leading to severe pain and delayed healing. Speak to your dentist if your pain worsens few days after the wisdom teeth surgery!
Nerve injury may occur during the wisdom tooth surgery, especially for cases where the affected wisdom tooth is located deep and near the nerve canal. These nerves supply sensation to your lips, chin and tongue, hence injuring them may cause numbness around those regions. Fortunately, the risk of nerve injury is relatively low, and in most cases, even if it does occur, the effects are usually temporary.
Wisdom tooth extraction (non surgical) usually takes only around 15 minutes to complete.
For wisdom tooth surgery, it generally takes around 30 – 60 minutes.
For normal wisdom tooth extraction, you will be given 1-2 days of MC.
For wisdom tooth surgery, you will be given 5-7 days of MC.
During the wisdom teeth procedure, local anesthesia will be given to numb up the area so that you will not experience any pain. Wisdom tooth removal is generally considered a minor surgical procedure, performed under local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.
After the wisdom tooth extraction procedure, painkillers, antibiotics, and an antiseptic mouthwash are usually prescribed to help you cope better over the next few days. An ice pack will be given to you immediately after wisdom teeth surgery cases to minimize facial swelling over the next few days.
Our team of dentist and oral surgeons ensures that even the most complex cases are handled with expertise and care.
The cost of surgery is fully claimable under Medisave. A more accurate quote will be provided after your full mouth X-ray.
Note: Government Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies.
Return for a review one week after your surgery to ensure proper healing.
Don’t hesitate to contact us!
