Wisdom Tooth Surgery in Sungai Petani: What to Expect

Pembedahan Gigi Bongsu di Sungai Petani: Apa yang Perlu Dijangka

Quick answer: Wisdom tooth surgery at Paddington Dental Surgery starts with an examination and an X-ray, plus a CBCT 3D scan when the tooth sits close to a nerve or is deeply buried. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, delivered with a digital electronic low-pain injection system. Most people return to normal routines within a few days, with a review visit for suture removal about one week later if non-dissolvable stitches are used.

When does a wisdom tooth need to be removed?

Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come through, usually between the late teens and mid-twenties. Many people do not have enough space for them, so they may grow in at an angle or stay partly under the gum. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth.

Your dentist may recommend removal if the tooth is causing:

• Repeated gum swelling or infection around the tooth

• Decay in the wisdom tooth or the tooth next to it

• Food trapping and pain when chewing

• Pressure on or damage to neighbouring teeth

• A cyst or other changes seen on an X-ray

Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. If yours is healthy, fully erupted and easy to clean, your dentist may simply monitor it.

How is a wisdom tooth assessed before surgery?

The first visit is an assessment. Your dentist will check your medical history, look at the tooth and gums, and take a dental X-ray, usually a panoramic (OPG) image that shows the whole jaw.

When the roots appear close to the nerve in the lower jaw, or the tooth is deeply impacted, a CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) 3D scan may be advised. CBCT shows the tooth, roots and nerve canal in three dimensions, which helps with planning the surgery and explaining the risks to you clearly. Paddington Dental Surgery has CBCT imaging in-house, so this can usually be done during the same visit.

At this stage you can ask questions, discuss your options and agree on a date for the procedure.

What happens during wisdom tooth surgery?

Wisdom tooth surgery at our clinic is performed by Dr Chen Jun Sen, Principal Dentist, and Dr Chan Yunn Shy, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (National Specialist Register). Dr Chan usually attends on Saturdays, and on other days subject to availability.

The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so you stay awake but the area is numb. We use a digital electronic injection system that delivers the anaesthetic slowly and steadily, which helps make the injection a low-pain experience for many patients.

Once the area is numb, the dentist may make a small opening in the gum, remove a little bone if needed, and sometimes divide the tooth into smaller pieces so it can be taken out gently. You may feel pressure, but you should not feel sharp pain. The area is then cleaned and closed with stitches if required. Most procedures take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the position of the tooth.

What is recovery like after wisdom tooth removal?

Some swelling, tenderness and mild bruising are normal. Swelling usually peaks around day two or three and then settles. Jaw stiffness can make it harder to open wide for a few days.

Many patients take one to three days off work or school, depending on the type of surgery and the kind of work they do. Your dentist will give you advice on pain relief that suits your medical history.

How should I look after the area at home?

Good aftercare helps the socket heal well. General advice includes:

• Bite gently on the gauze for 30 to 60 minutes after surgery

• Do not rinse, spit forcefully or use a straw for the first 24 hours

• Use a cold compress on the cheek during the first day to reduce swelling

• Eat soft, cool or lukewarm food and chew on the other side

• Avoid smoking and alcohol while the area heals

• From the next day, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals

• Keep brushing your other teeth, taking care around the surgical site

Your dentist will give you written aftercare instructions specific to your procedure.

What warning signs should I look out for?

Contact the clinic, or seek medical care promptly, if you notice:

• Bleeding that does not slow down after firm pressure with gauze

• Pain that gets worse after day three or four instead of better (this can be a sign of dry socket)

• Fever, pus or a bad taste that does not go away

• Swelling that keeps increasing after the third day

• Numbness of the lip, chin or tongue that lasts after the anaesthetic should have worn off

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

When are the stitches removed?

If non-dissolvable stitches are used, you will return about 7 to 10 days after surgery to have them removed. This is a quick visit and also lets your dentist check how the area is healing. Dissolvable stitches usually fall out on their own within one to two weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is wisdom tooth surgery painful?

A: The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so you should feel pressure but not sharp pain. We use a digital electronic injection system to help make the injection low-pain. Some soreness afterwards is normal and can be managed with medication advised by your dentist.

Q: Do I need a CBCT scan before wisdom tooth removal?

A: Not always. A standard dental X-ray is often enough. A CBCT 3D scan may be recommended when the roots are close to the nerve or the tooth is deeply impacted, to help plan the surgery.

Q: How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth surgery?

A: Most people feel much better within three to five days, although swelling usually peaks around day two or three. The gum generally heals over one to two weeks, while the bone underneath takes longer.

Q: When will my stitches be removed?

A: If non-dissolvable stitches are used, they are usually removed 7 to 10 days after surgery during a short review visit. Dissolvable stitches normally fall out on their own.

Q: Who performs wisdom tooth surgery at Paddington Dental Surgery?

A: Wisdom tooth surgery is performed by Dr Chen Jun Sen, Principal Dentist, and Dr Chan Yunn Shy, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon on the National Specialist Register. Dr Chan usually attends on Saturdays, and on other days subject to availability.

Q: What should I eat after wisdom tooth removal?

A: Choose soft, cool or lukewarm foods such as porridge, soup, yoghurt, eggs and mashed vegetables. Avoid hot, spicy, hard or crunchy food and do not use a straw for the first day.

Call to action

Have a wisdom tooth that is bothering you? Book an assessment at Paddington Dental Surgery (Klinik Pergigian Paddington, 小熊牙科診所) by WhatsApp or phone on 017-556 7083, or email kppaddington@gmail.com.

We are at 116-A, Tingkat Bawah, Jalan Pengkalan, Taman Pekan Baru, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah. Open 9am to 6pm every day except Thursday. Our team speaks English, Malay, Mandarin and Cantonese.

This article is for general information only. Your dentist will advise you after a clinical examination.