Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom teeth refer to the third molars that typically erupt in the late teens to early adulthood. They are sometimes referred to as third molars. Due to limited space in the oral cavity, wisdom teeth often fail to erupt properly, leading to issues such as malocclusion, tooth crowding, pain, or infection. Therefore, extraction of wisdom teeth is sometimes necessary to address these problems. However, if wisdom teeth can grow correctly and maintain good oral hygiene, they can function like other teeth.
Wisdom tooth surgery is a common dental procedure performed to remove wisdom teeth that are unable to grow properly or causing issues. The surgery is typically conducted in a dental clinic or oral surgery hospital. The procedure involves the following steps:
Anesthesia:Before the surgery begins, the dentist will use local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or intravenous sedation to ensure the patient is comfortable and pain-free.
Incision:The dentist carefully cuts open the gum tissue to expose the wisdom tooth and surrounding structures.
Extraction: If the wisdom tooth has fully erupted through the gum, the dentist can directly extract it. If the wisdom tooth is still covered by gum tissue or jawbone, the dentist may need to divide the gum or remove a portion of bone to access and remove it.
Wound Closure: Once the wisdom tooth is removed, the dentist will use absorbable or non-absorbable stitches to close the gum tissue, promoting wound healing.
Recovery and Post-Operative Care: After the surgery, patients need to follow the dentist's recommendations for recovery and post-operative care, including rinsing the mouth with saltwater, avoiding spicy or hard foods, taking pain medication as prescribed, maintaining oral hygiene, etc.
The entire surgical process can take approximately 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the position, shape, and individual factors of the wisdom tooth. Patients may experience mild swelling and discomfort in the days following the surgery, but proper care and medication as advised by the dentist can help alleviate these symptoms.
Post Extraction/Surgery Instruction
- To stop bleeding under normal situation, bite on sterile gauze provided for 30 minutes.
- If the wound still bleeding, bite on new gauze for an additional 15 minutes. Do not keep the gauze in the mouth for prolonged period or during sleep.
- Keep the oral cavity dry to achieve the best hemostasis outcome.
- Avoid rinsing or spitting after extraction, as this can disturb clotting of blood.
- Local anesthesia will last for a few hours after the operation. Start drinking or eating after it wears off to avoid trauma to the lips/tongue or surrounding tissue.
- Refrain from smoking, alcohol, or vigorous exercise on the following 2-3 days of operation.
- Avoid food and drinks that are too hot or too cold.
- Resume toothbrushing the next day. Rinse with warm salted water to clean away debris from the wound.
- Swelling of the operated side may be noted. It typically resolves gradually within days.
- Complete the whole course of the antibiotics as instructed. Should pain subside, you can stop taking analgesics.
- If you have any inquiries, please contact the clinic.
Extraction
$600-800
Extraction (Baby tooth)
$500
Surgical extraction
(Retain root, Fracture, Root Canal Treatment tooth)
$3500 up
Extraction of Wisdom Tooth
$1500-2000
Surgical Extraction of Wisdom Tooth
$4500
***Wisdom tooth treatment is including local anesthesia and medication***
F&Q
Wisdom teeth often need to be extracted because they have limited space in the mouth and may not be able to grow properly, causing issues such as poor bite, tooth misalignment, pain, or infection.
The recovery time varies depending on individual circumstances, usually taking about a week to ten days, but complete recovery may take a few weeks.
It is recommended to avoid eating hard, spicy, or sticky foods in the days following the surgery and to adapt to a softer diet until the wound heals.
Yes, it is advised to regularly rinse the mouth with saltwater to keep it clean, avoid brushing the surgical area, and maintain good oral hygiene.
Wisdom tooth extraction surgery carries some risks, such as infection, bleeding, or delayed wound healing, but these risks are typically rare when the procedure is performed correctly and proper care is taken.
If wisdom teeth can grow properly, cause no issues, and can be cleaned effectively, they can be kept.
Not everyone develops wisdom teeth. Some individuals may only develop a few or may not have wisdom teeth at all.