Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Everything You Need to Know

Is wisdom tooth extraction painful, and what does the procedure feel like?

Wisdom tooth extractions should be painless.

You should only feel a little bit of pressure as we remove the tooth.

The difference between pain and pressure can be exemplified using a traditional pencil. If you poke the sharpened lead end of the pencil into your skin, that's pain. If you press the round, blunted back end of the pencil into your skin, that's pressure. Pain is awful, pressure is somewhat alright.

What's the difference between a simple extraction and a surgical extraction?

It should feel exactly the same to you whether a simple or surgical approach is used. Both techniques should be painless.

The difference simply lies in how many steps are required to remove the wisdom tooth. With a simple extraction, it is about a 2-4 step process. With a surgical extraction, it can be up to an 8 step process. Naturally, this would mean that a surgical extraction tends to require a little more time in the dental chair.

How do dentists decide whether I need surgery or just a simple extraction?

Are we able to simply extract it? If yes, then absolutely, let's go for a simple extraction. In some cases, however, we don't have the ability to simply remove it, and we have to choose surgery. This might be because:

• The tooth is crooked and angled such that we can't just simply "pull it out"
• The tooth has not fully emerged, i.e. it's partially buried in your gums
• The tooth is very firmly attached to the jaw bone and refuses to cooperate with us when we try to take it out simply

There are several reasons why we might decide that you need surgery, not all of which have been mentioned here. As best as possible, we try to keep things simple, but in some cases, it might simply be safer and more effective to opt for a surgery instead.

Can all four wisdom teeth be removed at the same time?

I personally prefer removing 2 at a time, and spacing both appointments out by about 10-14 days. By tackling the wisdom teeth side by side, we are able to allow for minimal disruption to your diet. When your right sided wisdom teeth have been removed, you can eat as per normal on your left side. In 10-14 days, when you're comfortable chewing on your right side again, we'll take out the left sided wisdom teeth. In this manner, you can continually enjoy your favourite foods throughout the process of wisdom teeth removal and beyond.

What foods can I eat after removing a wisdom tooth?

By and large, you can continue to enjoy your usual diet after removing a wisdom tooth once the anaesthesia has worn off roughly 2-3 hours after the procedure.

However, we always recommend that you avoid eating, particularly hard and crunchy foods, on the side from which the wisdom tooth has been removed. We also suggest that alcoholic beverages are kept off the table for the next 3 days to allow for the best chance of successful healing to occur.

What are the risks of not removing impacted wisdom teeth?

It all depends on the direction of impaction. Let's, as an example, take the case of a wisdom tooth that is jammed against the molar in front of it. The junction between the two teeth might be incredibly challenging to keep clean. If you opt against the early removal of the wisdom tooth, we might end up in a situation where both teeth need to be removed.

How long do I need to take medical leave after a wisdom tooth extraction in Singapore?

We are able to provide medical certificates of up to 7 days following a wisdom tooth extraction. There are some patients who are keen to go back to work the day after. That's their choice, and it's certainly an acceptable choice for those working jobs that do not require intensive physical labour. How long you take medical leave after a wisdom tooth extraction is entirely up to you.

Can I travel or fly soon after wisdom tooth surgery?

You absolutely could!

That being said, there is a risk involved in air travel following wisdom tooth surgery. Pressure changes accompany the altitude changes of an airplane. The change in atmospheric pressure might cause pain and possibly disrupt the healing process.