Minor Oral Surgery - Wisdom Tooth Removal at Klinik Pergigian Dr Cheong

At Klinik Pergigian Dr. Cheong, we offer professional wisdom tooth removal services to relieve pain and prevent complications. Our experienced team ensures a comfortable and efficient procedure, prioritizing your dental health and well-being.

What is a Wisdom Tooth?

A wisdom tooth is the third molar located at the back of your mouth. It usually emerges between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people have no issues, others may experience problems due to the tooth’s positioning.

Types of Impaction

Wisdom teeth can become impacted when there isn’t enough room to emerge. There are four main types of impaction:

• Mesial impaction: The tooth is angled toward the front of the mouth.
• Distal impaction: The tooth is angled toward the back.
• Vertical impaction: The tooth is correctly aligned but stuck beneath the gum or bone.
• Horizontal impaction: The tooth is lying sideways beneath the gum.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Tooth

• Pain or swelling in the back of the mouth
• Difficulty opening the mouth or chewing
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth

Diseases Caused by Impacted Wisdom Tooth

• Tooth Decay (Caries): Wisdom teeth are often impacted or misaligned, which can lead to food becoming trapped in hard-to-clean areas. This significantly increases the risk of tooth decay, not only in the wisdom tooth but also in adjacent teeth.

• Pericoronitis (Gum Infection): When a wisdom tooth is partially covered by gum tissue, it creates a pocket between the tooth and the gum, making it a prime area for food and bacteria to accumulate. This can lead to inflammation and infection, especially when the body's immune system is weakened due to stress or fatigue.

• Oral Mucosal Injury: Mispositioned wisdom teeth can cause the sharp edges or cusps to continuously rub against the inner cheek, leading to irritation, ulceration, and in severe cases, chronic trauma that may increase the risk of oral cancer.

• Crowded or Misaligned Teeth: The pressure exerted by erupting wisdom teeth is a common cause of dental crowding, particularly in the front teeth, which can disrupt the alignment of the entire dental arch.

• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: Abnormally positioned wisdom teeth can affect the bite, leading to TMJ issues. This can result in symptoms like joint pain, clicking sounds, difficulty opening the mouth, chewing muscle discomfort, and even tinnitus.

When is Wisdom Tooth Removal Necessary?

Here are the situations where wisdom teeth must be removed:

• Recurrent Infections or Decay: If the wisdom tooth itself is decayed, or if it causes decay in the neighboring teeth.
• Frequent Food Impaction: When food frequently gets stuck around the wisdom tooth, leading to discomfort or potential infection.
• Pressure on Adjacent Teeth: If the wisdom tooth is pressing on the roots of neighboring teeth, potentially causing cysts or tumors.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Issues: If the wisdom tooth is suspected of contributing to TMJ disorders, being a source of infection, or causing unexplained nerve pain.
• Orthodontic Reasons: When the wisdom tooth needs to be removed to create space for orthodontic treatment.

When is Removal Not Necessary?

In some cases, wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed if they:

• Erupt fully in a normal position and has a functional bite
• Can be properly cleaned and maintaned 
• Are healthy and pain-free.
• Do not impact surrounding teeth.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

1. Consultation and X-ray: The dentist examines the tooth’s position and decides on the appropriate treatment.
2. Anesthesia: Local or general anesthesia is administered to ensure a painless procedure.
3. Surgical Removal: The dentist may make a small incision in the gum to remove the impacted tooth.
4. Stitches: If necessary, stitches are used to close the area.

After Wisdom Tooth Removal: Post-Operative Care

• Do not rinse your mouth, brush your teeth, wipe, or lick the wound within 24 hours after the tooth extraction.
• Ice your face for 15 minutes during the first 24 to 48 hours to help reduce pain and minimize swelling.
• For patients without clotting disorders, gently bite on a cotton ball or gauze pad for half an hour in a relaxed state to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you’ll no longer need to bite down on the gauze.
• Avoid eating overly hot or spicy foods to prevent bleeding. Eating cooler foods, sucking on ice cubes, or drinking cold beverages can help stop the bleeding.
• Eat soft foods rich in protein and fiber, and slowly transition to harder foods as you begin to heal.
• Try to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption for a week.
• Perform jaw exercises by gently opening and closing your mouth after three days of extraction.
• Drink plenty of water, but avoid using a straw.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the procedure painful?

   Local or general anesthesia ensures that the procedure is pain-free. Mild discomfort may occur after the surgery, but it can be managed with pain relief.

2. How long is the recovery time?>

    Recovery usually takes about 3-7 days, depending on the complexity of the extraction.

3. Can I drive home after the procedure?>

    If you’ve had local anesthesia, you can drive home. For general anesthesia, you’ll need someone to drive you.

4. What can I eat after the surgery?>

    Soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soups are ideal. Avoid crunchy or hot foods for the first few days.

At Klinik Pergigian Dr. Cheong, our goal is to provide safe, effective wisdom tooth removal to prevent complications and ensure long-term dental health. If you’re experiencing discomfort or suspect you have an impacted wisdom tooth, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We are here to offer expert care with a personal touch.