Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Sometimes, a tooth simply needs to be removed — whether its a wisdom tooth growing side-ways or tooth severely damaged by decay.
At Tanglin Dental, our goal is to make the experience as smooth and painless as possible.
Simple Extraction
A simple wisdom tooth extraction is used for teeth that are fully visible and not impacted. No surgery is required — the dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic, gently loosen the tooth, and remove it.
Surgical Removal of Wisdom Teeth
(medisave claimable)
Impacted wisdom teeth to be surgically removed if you have these symptoms:
Pain
Repeated gum infection around your wisdom tooth
Cysts
Damage to nearby teeth
Extensive tooth decay
Depending on the complexity of your case, you may be referred to a one of our Specialist Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, usually between 18 and 21 years old. Often, there isn’t enough space in the jaw for them to grow straight, causing them to emerge sideways or partially. This can trap food, leading to decay in the tooth in front of it. Wisdom teeth may also be removed to create space for braces or clear aligners.
What to Expect
Before the extraction, your dentist will numb the tooth, surrounding gums, and jawbone with a local anesthetic. During the procedure, you may feel pressure, but you should not feel pain. This sensation comes from gently loosening the tooth for removal. If you do feel pain at any point, inform your dentist immediately.
Post-Operative Care
Proper care after extraction is important to allow a blood clot to form and promote healing:
Bite on a gauze pad for 30–45 minutes immediately after the procedure. If bleeding continues, replace the gauze and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. Repeat as needed.
Avoid rinsing vigorously, sucking through straws, smoking, drinking alcohol, or chewing near the extraction site for 72 hours.
Limit strenuous exercise for the next 24 hours.
It’s normal to experience pain and swelling after the extraction:
Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas/corn to the area to reduce swelling. Swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Take pain medication as prescribed. Contact us if the medication doesn’t seem effective.
If prescribed, complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve.
Drink plenty of fluids and stick to soft, nutritious foods initially. You can eat normally once comfortable. Ice cream is a great option!
Resume your normal dental hygiene routine, including gentle brushing and flossing.
Most patients feel back to normal after a few days. Contact us immediately if you experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, swelling lasting more than 2–3 days, or any reaction to medication.
