Perfecting Wisdom Tooth Removal

MINIMALLY-INVASIVE | MINIMUM DOWNTIME | COMFORT-ORIENTATED EXPERIENCE ​
​These are the hallmarks of the MMC technique.​​

Is Removing A Wisdom Tooth Painful?

Two of the most common questions are,

​" Is it necessary to remove my wisdom teeth "
" Is removal of wisdom teeth very painful? "

Our dentists have performed numerous surgical removal of wisdom teeth, and will strive to minimise the discomfort felt during the surgery.

​In addition to that, you will be given pain killers and our clinic will also follow up to ensure that your wisdom tooth removal is as comfortable as possible.

How To Manage Pain : IV Sedation Dentistry

Specialist Doctor
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​A specialist doctor who is trained in intravenous sedation may be provided to allow you to comfortably sleep through the procedure upon request.

Pain-free sedation which has several benefits:

• Works quickly, so you feel little or no pain during the procedure.

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• The dentist can monitor your vitals and easily adjust the dosage.

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• It creates a long period of amnesia, so you won't remember the procedure at all when you wake up.

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• It allows you to cooperate for a more extended period, so your dentist can perform multiple procedures with only one appointment.

What Is The Process OF Wisdom Tooth Removal?

The removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that it is almost a rite of passage for young adults.

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth. There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. These teeth usually appear in the late teens or early twenties ​but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry.

Each patient’s situation is unique, and your dentist will take x-rays and discuss your particular needs with you. If the dentist recommends removal of your wisdom teeth, it is best to have them removed sooner rather than later.

​As a general rule, wisdom teeth are removed in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the teeth’s roots have not fully formed, and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier.

What If My Wisdom Tooth Is impacted?

Impacted wisdom tooth lying on its side can sometimes cause the neighbouring tooth to decay or sometimes, shift. 

In order to remove an impacted wisdom tooth, the dentist first needs access to it. To make this process most comfortable, your dentist will numb the area with a local anaesthetic. The dentist can even use additional medication to safely sedate you during the extraction if you are feeling nervous about the procedure.

Because the impacted tooth is frequently under the gums and still encased in the jaw bone, your dentist will need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth. To minimize the amount of bone that must be removed, the dentist will often “section” the wisdom tooth ​so that each section can be removed through a small opening in the bone.

Once the tooth have been extracted, the healing process begins.

Healing time varies depending on the degree of difficulty related to the extraction, but typically it heals within the week.

​The most common type of impacted wisdom tooth is “angular,” meaning that the tooth is angled forward toward the front of your mouth. When a tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed.
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If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease.

Complex Extraction for Severe Cases

• Deep Impaction: Severely impacted wisdom teeth may require advanced surgical techniques to remove them safely.
• Risk of Nerve Damage: In cases where the wisdom tooth is near important nerves, oral surgeons take extra precautions to minimise the risk during extraction.

Benefits Of Removing Your Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom teeth removal can improve both your oral health and overall comfort. 

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Prevents Crowding and Misalignment

• Wisdom teeth can push against other teeth, leading to crowding and misalignment.
• Removal creates more space, helping to preserve a straight and even smile.

Reduces Risk of Decay and Gum Disease

• Hard-to-reach wisdom teeth often trap food and bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and gum infections.
• Extraction eliminates these problem areas, protecting adjacent teeth and gums.

Avoids Damage to Nearby Teeth

• Badly positioned wisdom teeth can exert pressure on neighbouring teeth, causing damage like decay or cracks.
• Removing wisdom teeth protects the integrity of surrounding teeth.

Prevents Cysts and Infections

• Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to cysts or infections in the jawbone.
• Early removal reduces the risk of these painful and serious complications.

Eases Jaw Pain and Discomfort​​

• Wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the jaw.
• Extraction alleviates discomfort, improving oral function and overall quality of life.

Simplifies Oral Hygiene

• Wisdom teeth can make brushing and flossing difficult, increasing plaque buildup.
• Removing them makes it easier to maintain a clean and healthy mouth.

Improves Long-Term Oral Health

• Eliminating problematic wisdom teeth reduces the likelihood of future dental complications.
• It contributes to better overall oral health and peace of mind.

Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Badly aligned wisdom teeth can cause significant issues for your oral health, including damage to adjacent teeth. Here’s how:

Increased Risk of Cavities and Gum Disease

• Food and Bacteria Traps: Misaligned wisdom teeth create spaces that trap food and bacteria, making them difficult to clean.
• Accelerated Decay: Due to their hard-to-reach location, cavities and gum disease develop faster than in other teeth.
• Effect on Neighbouring Teeth: The second molar is especially at risk, as decay can spread from the wisdom tooth to adjacent teeth.

​Removing your wisdom teeth are very much a rite of passage for every young adult, and more often than not, wisdom teeth are removed due to pain, infection or even gum disease. Many young adults choose to remove the wisdom teeth way before the problems start, where others choose to remove only when pain or infection occurs.

If you have a toothache, treatment is available at Tooth Angels, and rates are as per Ministry of Health guidelines for private clinics. For surgery, it is fully claimable by Medisave. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth

How Useful Are Wisdom Teeth?​

Some people are born without wisdom teeth and some have enough room in their mouths for wisdom teeth. However, a large segment of the population have problems with our wisdom teeth. Due to overcrowding and not enough space in our mouths, our wisdom teeth can't erupt fully. As wisdom teeth are known as our third molars, they are the last set of adult teeth that erupts only at the age of 18 - 21 years.

Very often, part of the wisdom tooth is covered by a flap of gum - bits of food and bacteria can get trapped under that flap. This can cause swelling and a low-grade infection named pericoronitis. This usually happens mostly with the lower wisdom teeth. 

Some wisdom teeth are blocked from emerging, usually by bone or even other teeth. You may also find wisdom teeth that are tilted under the gum, also known as impacted wisdom teeth. The impacted teeth usually pose no problems and no pain, but some get infections that are often undetected due to the lack of extreme pain.

Also, there have been others who have completed their braces treatment and encountered a shifting of their straight teeth to crooked positions due to overcrowding in their mouths. Usually by the time that they notice this shift, braces may have to be put back on again to correct their teeth after removing their wisdom teeth. Braces patients who are older than 21 years old tend to take out their wisdom teeth before putting on braces, to reduce the risk of their teeth shifting into crooked positions after their braces journey. At the same time, this lessens the possibility of tooth decay or infection as after putting on braces, as more care is needed to keep their teeth clean.

Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. However, prevention is better than cure. Taking your wisdom teeth out when you are younger is far better as you heal faster, the roots of the teeth have not fully developed and the bone near the teeth would be less dense.

What can I do To Relieve toothache before I can see a dentist?

Some DIY home remedies if your wisdom teeth hurt, before you are able to see a dentist for wisdom tooth removal.

• Take a painkiller like paracetamol if you are not allergic to it.
• Take anti inflammation medication if you are not allergic to it.
• Keep the area clean with gentle brushing.
• Soak the area with saline

WHAT METHOD OF REMOVAL CAUSES THE LEAST PAIN WITH THE SHORTEST RECOVERY TIME?

According to Dr Melvin Mark Chia who has performed numerous wisdom teeth extractions, there exists a method for wisdom tooth removal that is less invasive with a shorter recovery time. The surgery takes 5 - 10 mins, even for a deeper, impacted wisdom tooth.

For a normal wisdom tooth, extraction could be fast and simple, requiring only local anesthesia. For surgery due to impacted wisdom teeth, local or IV general anesthesia are options that you can choose to have at Tooth Angels Dental Surgeons. For IV sedation, we have an external anaesthetist who will administer the general anesthesia, and monitor your vital signs.

After your X-ray is taken, your dentist studies your X-ray before making a keyhole incision on your gums. Then he/she breaks the impacted wisdom tooth into smaller pieces before removing them. This is made possible from the viewing of the first x-ray, and this method causes less swelling of your face as well.

​After the surgery is done, irrigation and cleaning of the surgical site will be next. Finally, he uses a method of "stitching" that helps the gum heal faster, resulting in the need of less recovery time. He may use dissolvable "stitches" or non-dissolvable stitches depending on your condition.

Here at the clinic, we have both male and female doctors who you can opt to see. If you have a gender preference or a preferred dentist, do let the receptionist at the counter know.​

What happens if I dont extract problematic wisdom teeth?

​Leaving problematic wisdom teeth untreated can lead to:

• Cavities in adjacent teeth.
• Gum disease.
• Cysts or infections in the jaw.
• Increased pain and discomfort.

Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?

The procedure itself is painless due to local anaesthesia. For added comfort, some patients opt for IV sedation. Mild discomfort and swelling are common during recovery, but painkillers can help manage these symptoms.

How Long Is Recovery After Wisdom Tooth Removal?​

Recovery typically takes 1–2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the extraction. Swelling and soreness usually subside within a few days, and most patients return to normal activities quickly.

Can All my Wisdom Teeth Be Removed at Once?​

Yes, multiple wisdom teeth can be extracted in a single session. This approach may minimise recovery time and the number of dental visits. It is a matter of preference however, some people prefer to pace it out and extract one at a time.

When Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

​Removal is often recommended during late teens or early twenties when the teeth are easier to extract. Consult your dentist if you experience pain, swelling, or crowding.

Can wisdom teeth cause nerve damage?

​In rare cases, lower wisdom teeth near the inferior alveolar nerve can lead to temporary or permanent nerve damage. An experienced dentist will assess this risk with X-rays or 3D imaging. Removal of the teeth has to be carefully planned.

What Should I Eat After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

​Stick to soft foods like soups, yogurt, and mashed potatoes for the first few days. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods to prevent irritation or dislodging the blood clot.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Fees

Normal Wisdom Tooth Extraction

• $250 per tooth
• Not covered by Medisave.

Surgical Wisdom Tooth Removal
Fees depend on the complexity of the surgery and are aligned with Medisave guidelines.

• Simple Surgical Tooth Removal: $350
• Complex Surgical Tooth Removal: $950
• Complex (Deep) Surgical Tooth Removal: $1,250
• Complex (Nerve) Surgical Tooth Removal: $2,150

Miscellaneous Fees: $300
Includes:

• X-ray
• Medication
• Consumables

Please note that final costs may vary based on individual cases and required treatments. Always consult your dentist for a detailed breakdown of fees and Medisave claims. For more information about subsidies and medisave claims, do take a look at our Payment Options.