When Losing your Wisdom is a Wise Thing to Do
July 13th, 2009 | Published in Extractions, Information, Medisave, Wisdom Teeth | 8 Comments
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, emerge during early adulthood. A panoramic dental radiograph (x-ray) will confirm the number of wisdom teeth in a person’s mouth and indicate whether any of these teeth are buried or unerupted. It also allows full radiographic examination of the upper and lower jaw architecture and all the teeth present.
Due to our smaller jawbones, wisdom teeth often do not properly erupt and can grow sideways, emerge part-way out of the gum, or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. As maintaining their cleanliness is difficult, gum and bone infection is very common. Wisdom teeth and their adjacent teeth can also become decayed. Chronic pain, migraines, headaches and facial pain can result. The adjacent teeth can also become so grossly carious that root canal therapy may be the only way to salvage the tooth. In some circumstance, the adjacent tooth may be replaced by a dental implant.
Even when the wisdom teeth erupt properly, there may be a tight fit in the back of the mouth, making it very hard to clean them properly – leading to decay.
The younger one is, the easier the removal of the wisdom teeth, as the bone is more elastic and the roots are shorter. With proper management, the procedure is smooth and seldom causes any significant swelling or discomfort afterwards.
The procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia alone, or together with intravenous sedation, which puts patients in a relaxed state of mind and significantly reduces any anxiety factors. Sedation can be done in the clinic with the assistance of an anaesthetist who will administer the sedation and monitor the patient’s vital conditions. General anaesthesia usually takes place in a hospital or day surgery centre and increases the total cost of treatment. Whichever method selected to remove wisdom teeth, with proper expertise, wisdom teeth removal can be accomplished under an hour for all four teeth or under 30 minutes for two teeth.
Delaying treatment may increase the likelihood of pain, infection and problems associated with the wisdom teeth. Researchers have found that patients aged 30 years and above may be at greater risk for gum disease in the tissues surrounding the wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth, which can, in turn, affect general health. It is also unwise to delay removal of wisdom teeth until pain and infection set in as healing may be complicated and more prolonged. It is better to remove the wisdom teeth preventively before they become infected as infected wisdom teeth are more complicated and more expensive to treat.
Research has shown that the overall dental condition improves after the removal of wisdom teeth. Prevention is cure and early removal avoids all the associated problems stated.
For Singaporeans and those with Singapore Permanent Residency, wisdom teeth surgery may also be covered by Medisave. Click for more information on wisdom teeth surgery
July 17th, 2009 at 3:13 pm (#)
Hi.. I tried to use your enquiry form, but there seem to be a problem with it..
I'll like to enquire about the price range for the wisdom tooth surgery?
About the medisave claim, can i use my father's medisave account since i don't have one?
Thank you,
Leslie
daleslie5@gmail.com
July 17th, 2009 at 3:28 pm (#)
Hi Leslie
thanks for your comments. We have sent you a response directly to your email.
Can you clarify for us which enquiry form was used that was problematic? We certainly want to make sure that everything is working well on our site
Appreciate your interest.
Regards,
Specialist Dental Group
October 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am (#)
Hi,
I’d like to find out the cost of extracting a wisdom tooth. Also, if I want to extract all four of my wisdom teeth, would the dentist be able to do it all at one sitting?
Thanks,
Liz
October 31st, 2009 at 10:46 pm (#)
Dear Liz
thanks for your comment. We will send you information on the fees in a separate email.
Yes, depending on the results of your initial consultation with our dental specialist, you may be able to extract all your wisdom teeth at one sitting. Many of our patients have done so. Usually when 4 teeth are extracted, we would recommend sedation to make the procedure more comfortable for our patients.
We will have an anaesthesiologist present to deliver the sedation and monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure. We will also provide a list of post-surgery instructions on what to do (and not to do) and what you can or cannot eat after the procedure and for the next day or so.
More information about wisdom teeth extraction can be found on our website at: http://bit.ly/zkbvJ. Our clinic is accredited by Medisave as a day surgery and thus, Medisave can be claimed for wisdom tooth procedures and for other surgical procedures such as dental implants.
Regards,
Specialist Dental Group
February 20th, 2010 at 12:53 am (#)
Help!
I have been experiencing pain on and off in the area of my lower left jaw. I think it is a wisdom tooth problem. But after reading your website, i am sure it is. I am trying to find time to get all four removed soon. Will i get a Medical certificate for the surgery or will i be okay by the next day?
Thanx
yan
February 20th, 2010 at 9:51 am (#)
Dear Yan
Without seeing you, we are unable to confirm whether the issue is an impacted wisdom tooth or another problem. We do issue medical certificates for surgery where indicated. Many of our patients are able to go back to work or regular schedule after surgery but some may prefer to take it easy
the procedure is covered by Medisave. You can make an appointment at: http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com/appointment.php
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:40 am (#)
i would like to check with you the price range for removing 4 wisdom tooth?i have been suffering frm pain at night due to my tooth decay.hope to get a reply from ya soon
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:36 am (#)
Dear Wen Hui,
Thank you for your comment.
we have sent a separate email to you with more information on Wisdom Teeth Extraction.
As you are now in pain, it is best to get the best treatment option done as soon as possible.
Regards,
Specialist Dental Group