Wisdom Teeth

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Wisdom Tooth Surgery in Singapore

An impacted tooth can pose serious health problems and discomfort due to pain, swelling and infection. Left untreated, it can also cause permanent damage to the surround teeth and gums. This is why wisdom tooth surgery and extraction is very common in Singapore.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are natural molar teeth that appear at the posterior part of your jaw, frequently after 16 years of age. It can appear in each of the four quadrants of the dental anatomy but it is possible to get fewer.

Due to the lack of space at the region where they erupt, wisdom teeth are often misaligned or angled horizontally, so when it grows the wisdom teeth could crowd the nearby molars, the gums, the jawbone or the nerves. This leads to common symptoms like pain, jaw ache, headache, swelling of the gums, and difficulty in chewing.

Tooth Impaction, however, is not limited to wisdom teeth as other teeth can also be affected in a similar way.

Assessment of Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Contrary to common belief, not all impacted teeth need surgery. It is up to your dentist’s assessment of whether you need a wisdom tooth removal or not. Dentists commonly base their assessment on the angulation or orientation of your wisdom teeth.

There are four types of angulation:

  • Mesial – The most common type of impaction where the tooth is aligned forward
  • Vertical – Relatively normal alignment, where tooth is vertical
  • Horizontal – Also called traverse; the tooth is horizontal
  • Distal – Also called disto-angular, the orientation is directed towards the back of the mouth.

It is on your dentist’s decision whether your impacted tooth should be removed or not. That is why it is important that you regularly visit a good dental clinic in Singapore even before your wisdom teeth start hurting. Problems caused by impacted tooth can occur insidiously with few or no obvious symptoms, so a visit to a dentist could help you assess your dental health.

The Right Wisdom Tooth Removal Clinic in Singapore

With so many dental clinics in Singapore, it could be overwhelming to choose which one is best for your needs. Should you choose based on which clinic offers cheaper rates? Or should you go to a clinic nearest you?

Your safety should be your primary concern when picking the best surgeons to help. Look for a specialist clinic that has good reputation and is known for providing only the best for their patients, just like what The Oral Maxillofacial Practice has been offering to their patients for years.

From wisdom teeth extraction, dental implants, jaw surgery, to sleep apnoea, a proper clinic should be there to help with all your dental and orofacial needs. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

FAQs

How serious is an impacted tooth?

An impacted tooth may cause problems such as swelling, pain and infection. It may also cause permanent damage to adjacent teeth, gums and the supporting bone structure. Rarely, an impacted tooth can lead to the formation of cysts or tumors that can destroy large portions of the jaw if left untreated.

I have an impacted wisdom tooth but it has not caused me any problems yet - must it be extracted?

Problems mentioned earlier can occur insidiously with few or no apparent symptoms. Removing the impacted teeth only when the problems arise, is not encouraged as the procedure would have to performed in a compromised condition and may result in greater discomfort, slower recovery and higher rate of complication. Therefore if the dentist feels that the impacted tooth poses a risk, it may be removed as a precaution.

When should I have my impacted wisdom tooth removed?

Current specialist recommendation is to remove impacted wisdom teeth between the ages of 14 and 22 years if the impacted teeth pose as a risk for future problems. Surgery performed during this age range is technically easier and patients recover much more quickly. It is important to note that risk of complications increases with age as the healing process tends to be slower in older patients.

What does impacted wisdom tooth removal entail?

Removing impacted wisdom tooth is a simple surgical procedure which involves making a small incision in the gums and removing the tooth under local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. Your dentist or the oral maxillofacial surgeon will recommend the type of anesthesia you should undergo depending on your condition.

How will I feel after the procedure?

You may experience some swelling and discomfort. However, your dentist or the oral maxillofacial surgeon is able to reduce the possible discomfort with medication and provide postoperative instructions which will aid healing.

Are there any complications and risks associated with removing wisdom teeth?

The most common complication associated with wisdom tooth removal is a condition called “dry socket” .The “dry socket” is typified by food debris trapped within the extraction site and a throbbing pain that radiates from the affected area to the temple on the same side. This pain occurs three or four days after the tooth has been extracted.

“Dry sockets” are found to occur more often in women (even more so in those taking oral contraceptives), persons over the age of 30, and smokers. “Dry socket” in itself is self-limiting, but because of the discomfort it causes, it needs to be treated by your dentist, who will usually place a medicated dressing in the extraction site to soothe the area.

A less frequent complication associated with the removal of wisdom teeth is numbness of the tongue, lip or chin. This is because anatomically, the wisdom teeth are closely related to the nerves that provide sensation to these areas. Fortunately, this complication happens very rarely and when it does, is usually temporary.

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