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.