Overview
What Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Wisdom teeth are the last four molars to develop, typically appearing in your late teens or early twenties. When they don't have enough room to emerge properly โ a condition called impaction โ they can cause pain, infection, crowding, and damage to adjacent teeth.
Wisdom tooth extraction at Affordable Smiles involves the careful removal of one or more of these teeth, performed under local anaesthetic by our Singapore-registered dental surgeons. For straightforward cases, the procedure takes around 30 minutes. Surgical cases โ where the tooth is fully or partially buried โ are still performed as an outpatient procedure with same-day discharge.
๐ก Do I have to remove my wisdom teeth?
Not always. If your wisdom teeth are erupting straight and not causing problems, they may not need removal. Our dentists will assess your X-rays and advise honestly โ we won't recommend extraction unless it's genuinely the right call.
When You Need It
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth
May Need to Come Out
Pain at the back of your jawA dull or sharp ache near the back teeth, especially when chewing.
Swelling or infectionRedness, swelling, or a bad taste near your back molars.
Crowding or shiftingWisdom teeth pushing against other teeth, causing them to move.
Difficulty cleaningHard-to-reach teeth collecting food and bacteria, increasing cavity risk.
Cyst formationFluid-filled sacs that can damage surrounding bone if untreated.
Partial eruptionA half-emerged tooth with a gum flap that traps bacteria.
What to Expect
The Procedure, Step by Step
- 1Consultation & X-Ray AssessmentYour dentist reviews your X-rays to assess the position, angle, and depth of your wisdom tooth. We'll confirm whether a simple or surgical extraction is needed and give a full cost breakdown before proceeding.
- 2Local AnaestheticThe area around the tooth is numbed. You may feel pressure during the extraction, but not pain. If you're anxious, let us know โ we'll take extra time to make sure you're comfortable before starting.
- 3ExtractionFor simple cases, the tooth is loosened and removed using dental instruments. For surgical cases, a small incision accesses the tooth, which may be sectioned for easier removal. Most extractions take 20โ45 minutes.
- 4Stitches & AftercareSurgical extractions are closed with dissolvable stitches. You'll receive written aftercare instructions. Most patients go home within an hour of arriving.
- 5RecoveryMost patients return to normal activities within 1โ3 days. Swelling peaks at day 2 and reduces from day 3 onward. We'll advise on pain management, foods to eat, and warning signs to watch for.
Recovery
What to Expect During Recovery
๐
Day 1
Rest. Bite on gauze, ice packs, soft foods only. Some bleeding is normal.
๐ง
Day 2โ3
Swelling peaks. Continue ice packs, soft foods, take prescribed medication.
๐
Day 4โ5
Swelling reduces noticeably. Most patients return to desk work and light activity.
โ
Day 7
Stitches dissolve (if surgical). Most patients feel close to normal.
๐ฆท
2โ4 Weeks
Full healing of gum tissue. Bone fills in over the following months.
๐
Day 1
Rest. Ice packs, soft foods, some bleeding normal.
๐ง
Day 2โ3
Swelling peaks. Continue ice, medication.
๐
Day 4โ5
Swelling reduces. Return to desk work.
โ
Day 7
Stitches dissolve. Close to normal.
๐ฆท
2โ4 Weeks
Full gum healing. Bone fills in over months.
Pricing
Transparent Pricing โ No Surprises
All costs are confirmed before treatment begins. The final price depends on the complexity of your case, assessed from your X-rays during consultation.
| Treatment Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Mobile Tooth | 60-150 |
| Extraction (non-surgical) | 180-400 |
| Surgical Extraction (non-wisdom tooth) | 950-1250 |
| Extraction (wisdom tooth/non-surgical) | 250-400 |
| Wisdom Tooth Surgery | 950-1500 |
| Oral surgery-Miscellaneous | 550-1250 |
* Prices are indicative. Your dentist will provide a full itemised quote before proceeding. Medisave may be used to offset surgical extraction costs.
Medisave Claimable
Surgical wisdom tooth extractions are eligible for Medisave claims. Our team will confirm eligibility and help with the paperwork during your consultation.
FAQ
Common Questions About
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The extraction itself is performed under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure โ only pressure and movement. Post-operative discomfort is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients find the recovery much easier than they expected.
Simple extractions typically take 20โ30 minutes. Surgical extractions can take 45โ60 minutes. Plan to be at the clinic for 1โ2 hours including preparation and post-procedure monitoring.
Yes โ surgical wisdom tooth extractions (partially or fully impacted teeth) are Medisave-claimable. Simple extractions of fully erupted teeth are not. Our team will confirm your eligibility during your consultation.
Most patients feel significantly better within 3โ5 days. Swelling typically peaks on day 2 and reduces from day 3 onward. Full healing of the gum tissue takes 1โ2 weeks, with complete bone healing over the following months.
Not necessarily. Your dentist will assess each tooth individually and recommend removal only for those causing or likely to cause problems. We'll never recommend unnecessary procedures.
For local anaesthetic procedures, you can eat normally beforehand. We recommend a light meal 1โ2 hours before. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the procedure.