Wisdom Tooth Removal

Our dentist will take an X-ray to show all the teeth in your mouth and indicate any problem areas, before examining your teeth and provide the best plan of action for your wisdom teeth.

Rest assured that our dentist will discuss with you the benefits and risks of wisdom teeth removal before you make your choice.

If you experience pain and swelling at the back of your teeth, chances are your wisdom tooth is impacted and growing at an angle that affects the neighbouring tooth's nerves. Sometimes, wisdom teeth also stop growing while halfway emerged from the gums, which may feel painful and result in tooth decay if food is trapped in those areas.

In severe cases, an impacted wisdom tooth can develop into cysts, abscesses, and tumours. Removing the affected wisdom tooth is essential to protect the rest of your healthy teeth and bone from damage.

It is common for an impacted wisdom tooth to show no problems.

However, in some cases, these problems appear later down the road, damaging the teeth in front of them. In other cases, wisdom teeth may remain deeply embedded, turning into a cyst that requires more complex surgery to resolve. Having frequent check-ups with your dentist will help you identify and address impacted wisdom teeth sooner.

Unfortunately this is not possible with today's current technology.

A wisdom tooth extraction is a simple extraction of the tooth that is visible in the mouth. After local anesthetic is applied, tools are used to elevate and grasp the tooth. It is moved back and forth till the ligaments holding the tooth in place are broken and the tooth can be pulled out.

Meanwhile, a wisdom tooth surgery involves the removal of teeth that are not as easily accessible, such as when a tooth is half erupted. Gums and bone may be cut open or removed, with the wisdom tooth sometimes sectioned into pieces to help with removing it. This is sometimes done under general anesthesia. Our dentist will recommend a suitable procedure depending on your case.

The earlier, the better. For a safer and quicker recovery, we recommend wisdom tooth removal to be performed during a patient's teenage years to early 20s.

For straightforward cases, the procedure usually takes a short 15 to 45 minutes, including preparation time.

Wisdom teeth removals are a safe procedure. In rare cases, numbness of some parts of the tongue, lip or chin may occur because the nerves affecting this area are close to the procedure site. This numbness is usually temporary.

We recommend avoiding chewing on that side of the mouth right after the surgery, to allow a comfortable recovery and healing process. When it is healed, you can continue to eat normally.

You will be able to enjoy normal daily activities within a few hours.

In some cases, you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort after wisdom tooth removal. This should remain manageable with the medication prescribed by our dentist.

We kindly advise you to follow our post-surgery care instructions for a speedy recovery.

Wisdom tooth removal rarely results in complications. That being said, you may experience;

1. Infection: Most are minor and will subside with local incision, drainage, and antibiotics. The whole course of antibiotics should be completed.

2. Tooth root fracture: The roots of the tooth sometimes break off during extraction. They may be removed or left in situ. The dentist may decide to leave the root in situ if there is no disease, or if removing it poses a bigger complication to the surrounding tissue.

3. Dry socket: This occurs when a blood clot from the extraction is dislodged and the bone is exposed in its early healing stage. It is usually seen in women on oral contraceptive pills and smokers. If you experience a constant throbbing pain that lasts for many days, contact your dentist.

4. Numbness or altered sensation: An impacted lower wisdom tooth may be close to the nerve. In some cases, extracting the wisdom tooth injures the nerve, which could cause numbness and tingling in the lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums. This usually heals itself, and only in rare cases is it permanent.

5. A displaced tooth in rare instances, where an impacted tooth is dislodged and trapped in the sinus or different spaces around the jaw. This may require a more extensive procedure to remove the impacted tooth.

6. Jaw fracture

Refer to our friendly guide Oral Surgery: Post-Surgery Care for more information.

Stitches from wisdom teeth procedures usually dissolve on their own after two weeks. In rare instances, you may see a loose stitch poking out. Call our dentist if this is bothering you, or you see that the wound has opened, or if the wound is bleeding or infected.

CHAS subsidies cannot be used for surgery, but can be used for routine teeth extractions. If your wisdom teeth extraction requires surgery, then you will be able to utilise your Medisave to pay for it, but you will not be eligible for any CHAS subsidy. For wisdom teeth extractions without surgery, CHAS subsidies can be applied.