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Professional Surgical Assessment and Treatment

Wisdom Teeth
Surgery

Understanding Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, the third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop. They typically erupt between the ages of 18 and 25 years. This age range marks the most common period for wisdom teeth removal, as the underlying bone is still responsive to healing, and younger patients generally experience better post-operative recovery compared to older individuals.

Not all wisdom teeth require extraction. Some emerge fully erupted and well-positioned, requiring only straightforward extraction. However, many wisdom teeth become impacted—partially or completely trapped within the jawbone or gum tissue—necessitating surgical intervention.

Wisdom Teeth Pain: Patterns and Causes

Characteristics of Wisdom Teeth Discomfort

Pain associated with erupting wisdom teeth typically manifests in distinct patterns. Most commonly, patients experience discomfort that comes in waves, gradually subsiding after several days in cases of unimpacted teeth. This cyclical pattern is a natural response to the eruption process.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Progressive Pain Pattern

When wisdom teeth are impacted, the pain pattern changes significantly. After initial discomfort, patients often experience a temporary relief period, followed by the return of pain at increasingly shorter intervals. Notably, each subsequent episode tends to last longer than the previous one. This escalating pattern indicates progressive complications and warrants professional evaluation.

Psychological Factors and Pain Perception

Research has demonstrated that psychological factors, particularly stress and anxiety, significantly influence the perception and manifestation of wisdom teeth pain. Stress can trigger multiple mechanisms that exacerbate discomfort:

  • Bruxism: Stress-induced teeth grinding and jaw clenching increase pressure on developing or impacted teeth, intensifying pain
  • Heightened Pain Sensitivity: Anxiety elevates the body’s perception of pain, making existing dental discomfort feel more severe
  • Immune System Changes: Stress weakens immune function, reducing the body’s ability to control inflammation around the surgical site
  • Altered Saliva Production: Anxiety reduces saliva flow and increases mouth acidity, potentially worsening inflammation and infection risk
  • Muscle Tension: Stress causes neck and jaw muscles to become tense, creating referred pain that radiates to the teeth and surrounding areas

Patients experiencing high stress levels often report more severe pain symptoms and prolonged recovery periods. Effective stress management techniques, including relaxation exercises and meditation, can help mitigate these effects.

Types of Wisdom Teeth and Treatment Options

Unimpacted, Well-Erupted Teeth

When wisdom teeth emerge fully and are properly aligned, extraction is straightforward. A simple extraction procedure is performed, typically requiring minimal surgical intervention. Cost for simple extraction: $150 per tooth (nett), excluding x-rays and medications.

Impacted or Complex Cases

When wisdom teeth are partially or fully impacted, or positioned at difficult angles, surgical extraction is required. These procedures involve careful bone removal and tooth sectioning to ensure safe extraction with minimal trauma to surrounding tissues.

wisdom tooth removal

Professional Surgical Fees (100% Medisave Claimable)

Our comprehensive surgical fees include all medications and x-ray imaging, with no additional charges:

 

Single Tooth Surgical Extraction:​

SGD $1362.50
All fees include pre-operative x-rays, intra-operative imaging, surgical medications, and post-operative pain management.​

Two Teeth Surgical Extraction

SGD $2343.50
All fees include pre-operative x-rays, intra-operative imaging, surgical medications, and post-operative pain management.​

✓ 100% Medisave Eligible​

These fees are fully claimable against your Medisave account, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

Medisave Payment Process

To facilitate Medisave claims, please prepare the following documentation:

Patient Documentation

  • Valid NRIC (National Registration Identity Card)
  • Signed Medisave claim form

Payor Documentation

  • Payor’s valid NRIC
  • Screenshot of Medisave balance
  • Signed Medisave authorization form

Please bring all original documentation to your pre-operative consultation. Our administrative staff will assist in verifying Medisave eligibility and processing your claim.

Complications Associated with Systemic Conditions​

Diabetes and Post-Operative Healing

Patients with diabetes face increased risks during and after wisdom teeth surgery. Elevated blood glucose levels impair immune function and slow wound healing. This can result in prolonged recovery times, increased infection risk, and potential complications such as dry socket (alveolar osteitis). Diabetic patients should ensure optimal glycemic control prior to surgery and inform our surgical team of their condition.

Blood Thinner Medications

Patients taking blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) such as warfarin, apixaban, or rivaroxaban must inform the surgical team before the procedure. These medications increase bleeding risk during extraction and may require temporary adjustment under medical supervision. Coordination with your primary care physician or cardiologist is essential before surgery. Patients should not discontinue blood thinners without explicit medical guidance.

Comprehensive pre-operative assessment allows us to optimize surgical planning and implement appropriate precautions for patients with these conditions.

Post-Operative Care Guidelines

Do’s

  • Apply ice for 20 minutes, then rest for 20 minutes (first 48 hours)
  • Keep head elevated while resting
  • Bite on gauze for 30-45 minutes if bleeding
  • Take prescribed antibiotics as directed
  • Consume soft, cool foods (yogurt, ice cream, smoothies)
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Follow all post-operative instructions
  • Attend follow-up appointments

Don’ts

  • Do not smoke or use tobacco products
  • Do not drink alcohol or use straws
  • Do not rinse or spit forcefully
  • Avoid hot foods and beverages
  • Do not engage in strenuous exercise for 3-5 days
  • Avoid extremely hard, crunchy, or sticky foods
  • Do not disturb the extraction site
  • Avoid reclining flat immediately after surgery

Smoking Cessation After Surgery

Smoking significantly impairs post-operative healing and dramatically increases complication rates. Tobacco smoke reduces blood flow, suppresses immune function, and increases infection risk. Patients who smoke should completely abstain from smoking for at least 72 hours after surgery, ideally for 7-14 days to allow adequate initial healing.

Smoking also increases the risk of dry socket (alveolar osteitis), a painful condition requiring additional treatment. For optimal recovery and to prevent serious complications, we strongly encourage patients to use this surgical event as an opportunity to establish smoking cessation. Our team can provide resources and support for patients seeking to quit.

Long-Term Consequences of Delayed Removal

Delaying the removal of impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can lead to significant long-term complications. Research has consistently demonstrated that retention of problematic wisdom teeth is associated with progressive alveolar bone loss, particularly affecting the distal aspect of the adjacent second molar.

Bone Loss Risk: Studies indicate that patients over 25 years of age with retained impacted wisdom teeth have a 44.4% probability of developing intrabony defects greater than 4mm in depth. Early surgical intervention can prevent this irreversible bone loss.

A 2020 systematic review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews examined the effects of delayed wisdom teeth removal. The evidence demonstrates that earlier removal, particularly when performed during the optimal healing window (ages 18-25), is associated with better long-term periodontal outcomes. Early intervention allows for complete osseous regeneration around the adjacent second molar, whereas delayed removal results in permanent bone resorption that compromises the periodontal health and longevity of the adjacent tooth.

Clinical Recommendation: For impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth, early evaluation and removal during the optimal age range (18-25 years) is strongly recommended to preserve adjacent tooth support and prevent irreversible bone loss.

Testimonials From Our Patients

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For consultation and pre-operative assessment, please contact our office. We are committed to providing professional, evidence-based care for your wisdom teeth treatment.

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