Wisdom Teeth: When to Remove Them

Wisdom Teeth: To Pull or Not to Pull?

(And Yes, You Can Use MediSave for Impacted Wisdom Teeth Surgery)

Let’s talk about a common dental topic: your wisdom teeth. If you are in your late teens or twenties, you might be wondering if these third molars need to come out.

There is a misconception that every wisdom tooth requires surgery. The truth is, not all wisdom teeth cause problems. If they grow straight and you can clean them easily, they can often stay.

However, when they start causing issues, ignoring them can lead to severe discomfort and pain. So, how do you know if it is time to consider removal? It comes down to space and positioning.

Often, our jaws simply do not have enough space to accommodate these third molars. When they try to push through but get stuck beneath the gums or teeth, they are referred to as impacted wisdom teeth.

Common Issues with Impacted Teeth:

• Hidden decay: They can create food traps at the back of your mouth that are difficult to clean, even with thorough brushing. This decay can also spread to the adjacent second molars.

• Gum infections: The flap of gum over a partially erupted tooth can trap bacteria, leading to inflamed, swollen, and painful gums.

• Damage to neighbours: Sideways-facing impacted wisdom teeth can push against your healthy second molars, potentially causing root damage to the adjacent teeth.

• Cysts formation: A fluid-filled sac can develop around the trapped tooth. If left unchecked, this pathologic lesion can affect your jawbone and cause damage to nearby nerves and bone structure over time.

If you are feeling nervous about the prospect of surgery, we understand. It's natural to feel apprehensive about oral surgery. This is why our approach focuses on detailed planning and pain management before the procedure begins, helping to make the process as predictable as possible.

For most cases, standard digital 2D imaging (OPG) is sufficient for assessment. However, for complex or deeply impacted wisdom teeth, we can use 3D imaging (CBCT) to obtain a more detailed map of your jaw.

The 3D scanning process is painless and takes less than a minute. This scan is an important tool for safety, providing a clear view of your jaw nerves, sinus cavities, and the position of the tooth roots. This technology helps in precise planning. Because we know what anatomical structures we are dealing with beforehand, the surgical procedure can be carried out more safely and predictably.

On the day of your surgery, your comfort is our priority. We focus on careful patient care, ensuring you are settled, calm, and adequately numbed with local anaesthesia before we proceed with the procedure.

You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but you should not feel sharp pain. Many patients find the removal process smoother than they initially expected.

For Singaporeans and PRs, it is helpful to note that impacted wisdom tooth surgery is MediSave claimable. We understand that financial considerations are an important part of your treatment.

How the MediSave Process Works:

• You can use your own MediSave account to offset the surgical costs, which helps reduce the cash amount you need to pay upfront.

• If you do not have sufficient funds in your own account, you may be able to use an approved family member’s account, such as a parent or spouse.

• We will handle the necessary paperwork and claims directly at the clinic for you.

• This helps manage your out-of-pocket expenses, making the treatment more affordable and accessible.

At our clinics, we emphasize patient-centered care. We will sit down with you to go through the costs, the procedure, and the expected recovery steps.

For most cases, patients choose to undergo the surgery with local anaesthesia, and it is a highly effective choice.

However, if you are feeling more anxious about the procedure, we have other options to help you relax. We offer several sedation choices tailored to your comfort level.

Sedation Options:

• Nitrous oxide (Laughing gas): A gas you breathe through a nasal hood. It helps reduce anxiety while keeping you awake and responsive.

• Oral sedation: A prescription sedative pill taken before your appointment to help you feel more relaxed.

• Intravenous sedation: Sometimes referred to as "twilight sleep," this allows you to rest in a highly relaxed state during the procedure. This is performed by a trained anaesthesiologist at our Advanced Dental Specialists Novena Clinic.

• General anaesthesia: For complex cases or severe dental anxiety, this option allows you to sleep through the procedure under the care of a trained anaesthesiologist in a day surgery operating theatre.

Your safety and medical history are important. A consultation is required before finalizing any sedation plan. We will review your health and discuss the most suitable and safe option for you.

If your wisdom teeth are trapping food or causing discomfort, it is better not to wait for a flare-up. Book a consultation with us, and we can discuss the next steps for your dental health.