Wisdom Tooth
Extraction
in Singapore

Wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the back of the mouth. They usually erupt during the late teens or early twenties, although this varies between individuals.

While some people have enough space for their wisdom teeth to erupt normally, others develop wisdom teeth that remain partially or completely trapped beneath the gums or jawbone. This is known as an impacted wisdom tooth.

Impacted wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean, increasing the risk of problems such as gum inflammation, tooth decay, infection, cyst formation and damage to the adjacent second molar. While not all impacted wisdom teeth cause symptoms, regular dental assessments can help determine whether monitoring or treatment is appropriate.

Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth do not always cause symptoms. However, when problems develop, early assessment can help identify the cause and determine whether wisdom tooth extraction or another treatment is appropriate.

Speak to a dentist if you notice:

• Pain or pressure at the back of the mouth
• Swelling around the gum or jaw
• Gum tenderness around a partially erupted tooth
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste
• Food trapping around the wisdom tooth
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Tooth decay affecting the wisdom tooth or the adjacent molar

Delaying assessment may allow the condition to worsen, increasing the risk of infection, damage to nearby teeth or more complex treatment later.

Wisdom tooth extraction is usually carried out with anaesthesia suited to the case. Local anaesthesia may be used to numb the treatment area. Sedation or general anaesthesia may be discussed for selected cases depending on complexity, medical history, anxiety level and clinical setting.

During the procedure, you should not feel sharp pain after the area is numb, although pressure, pushing or vibration may be felt. After the anaesthesia wears off, some soreness, swelling, bruising or jaw stiffness may occur, especially after surgical removal. Your wisdom tooth specialist will advise medication and home care steps to help manage discomfort.

1. Your medical history will be reviewed, followed by a dental examination and X-rays to assess the position of the wisdom tooth. The findings help determine the most appropriate treatment.
2. Local or general anaesthesia is administered according to your treatment plan.
3. If required in surgical extraction, a small incision is made in the gum and bone may be gently removed to access the affected areas.
4. The wisdom tooth is loosened and extracted. In surgical extraction, the tooth might be sectioned into smaller pieces using specialised tools.
5. The extraction site is cleaned and dissolvable or non-dissolvable stitches are placed. Gauze may be applied to control initial bleeding.
6. You will rest briefly in the clinic before receiving aftercare instructions on pain management, diet and recovery.

After wisdom tooth removal, follow the instructions given by your dentist or specialist. During the early recovery period, you may be advised to:

• Bite on gauze as instructed to control bleeding.
• Eat soft foods such as porridge, soup, yoghurt or soft noodles.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy or very hot foods.
• Avoid drinking through a straw, smoking, forceful spitting or vigorous rinsing.
• Brush your teeth gently while avoiding direct trauma to the extraction site.
• Use mouth rinse or saltwater rinses only as instructed.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for the period advised by the clinic.
• Take medication as prescribed and attend all follow-up appointments.

These steps help protect the healing socket and reduce irritation around the surgical site.

Impacted or problematic wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection and difficulty keeping the back of the mouth clean. When left untreated, they may affect nearby teeth and increase the risk of further oral health problems.

At PKWY Dental Specialist Practice, every wisdom tooth extraction begins with a thorough assessment and X-rays to determine the most appropriate treatment approach. Our dental specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr Wong Wai Yee, has extensive experience managing both simple and surgical wisdom tooth extractions, ensuring treatment is tailored to each patient's clinical needs.

If you are experiencing wisdom tooth pain or have been advised to undergo wisdom tooth extraction, contact us today to arrange a consultation.