Wisdom Tooth Removal / Extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure that involves removing your tooth because it may be causing you pain, are growing sideways, or are affecting your other teeth.

It is sometimes recommended and necessary to have wisdom tooth removal in HK as a preventative measure if we are able to identify possible issues that can develop if the tooth is allowed to grow out completely. If it is a common case of wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong, you can expect to have it removed within 1 hour and expect post-operative healing to take roughly 10-14 days. 

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Your wisdom teeth are the very last teeth that grow out into the mouth at about 17-25 years of age, they are also called your third molar teeth and are at the very back part of your mouth. In an average person, 4 wisdom teeth are expected to be seen on x-ray examinations or in the mouth.

However, some individuals may be seen with one or two third molars missing or even have all of them missing. This is because wisdom teeth are considered vestigial structures and are no longer a necessary anatomical structure that helps in our “survival”.

Back in the day, our strong molar teeth were essential for us to crush down hard nuts, leaves, plants and meat. But with the discovery of fire and development of softer foods, our bodies have learnt that there is no need for these strong molar teeth. As such, some people have evolved to having missing or no wisdom teeth at all! How miraculous right? For these patients, they don’t have to worry about having any pain or trouble, and need any wisdom tooth extraction. However, for those of us who have a full set of teeth, problems may arise, hence the need for wisdom tooth removal in HK may arise.

Wisdom tooth removal is also more commonly known in our professional world as a “wisdom tooth extraction”, and is a very common treatment that is offered at many clinics. Our specialist – Dr. Tong, would recommend wisdom tooth extraction in HK as a treatment option so that we can prevent pain from developing.

Why Would You Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

It is most common that a patient would need wisdom tooth removal as a preventative measure, and usually in these cases you will be free of symptoms, and are less likely to have postoperative complications. By performing wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong early, before any symptoms arise, you can be saved from experiencing problems such as infection and tooth decay in the area. 

Some common reasons you may need a wisdom tooth removal in HK may include one or more of these symptoms and findings:

  • Your tooth is growing sideways
  • You have pain at the back of your mouth or in your jawbone
  • Food trapping near the wisdom teeth
  • Teeth decay or dark cavities in your wisdom tooth
  • Tooth decay in the tooth next door
  • Bone loss or development of gum disease (e.g. you may notice bleeding and bad smell from the area)
  • Your tooth is impacted, meaning it may be pushing against another tooth, be stuck within the gums or trapped within the jawbone
  • Cyst involving your wisdom teeth

If you find that you are developing one or more of these signs and symptoms, please consider booking an appointment with us as soon as possible to discuss your wisdom tooth removal treatment options with Dr. Tong. 

Steps During Wisdom Tooth Extraction HK Treatment

On the day of your wisdom tooth extraction in HK, a few general steps will be followed to complete the process:

1. Numbing the affected area:


First step during a wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong treatment, you will be given a numbing injection around the area so that your teeth and gums are free of discomfort while we are working in the area. Before any wisdom tooth removal, will make sure that the area is totally numbed up by using pressure. Once we have confirmed successful anaesthesia has been achieved then the wisdom tooth removal HK treatment process may proceed.

2. Incision made & wisdom tooth extraction:


Next step in the wisdom tooth extraction HK process, an incision is made in the gums to reveal the underlying tooth that is trapped underneath the gums or jawbone. Then we will use our special tools to slowly loosen and carry out the wisdom tooth extraction from its tooth socket. Sometimes your tooth may have special root configuration that grants the need for “tooth sectioning”, which essentially means that the tooth is cut into smaller sections for easier wisdom tooth removal.

3. Wash & clean after wisdom tooth removal:


Once wisdom tooth removal is completed, either in one piece or in sections, the area is washed with some salt water and cleaned to make sure no infection is left within the tooth socket. If needed, sutures may be placed to close the gap formed from the wisdom tooth removal, and you will be asked to bite onto a piece of gauze to control and stop the bleeding in the area. A minimum of 30 minutes of biting onto gauze is recommended after wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong. Once bleeding has stopped, we will give you some more post-operative instructions.

Wisdom Tooth Removal HK Consultation & Check-Up

Before you are booked in for a wisdom tooth extraction in HK, it is important for us to have a look at your current condition, and check the health of your wisdom teeth to determine the level of difficulty in performing wisdom tooth removal, and whether or not specialist treatment will be a better option for you.

At this wisdom tooth extraction HK consultation appointment, x-rays or a cone beam CT may be taken to determine the positioning, angulation and exact 3D location of the wisdom tooth within your jaw. X-rays will also help us determine the extent of caries if there are any and help us locate any vital structures that we need to avoid whilst doing the wisdom tooth extraction. If you have any x-rays taken from a different specialist, please ask for these and bring it along to your appointment as these would be helpful to give a rough idea for wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong treatment options. Whether or not additional x-rays are required will depend on our specialist’s judgement. 

At the consultation appointment, it is important for you to mention any medical conditions, current medications, supplements or vitamins you are taking as well as any allergies that you have prior to wisdom tooth removal. Also, we may discuss the need for sedation or general anaesthesia for your wisdom tooth removal HK treatment. Depending on your needs and preferences, wisdom tooth extraction can be completed under local anaesthesia, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), sedation or general anaesthesia. 

What Happens During Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Hong Kong?

During a normal in-chair wisdom tooth extraction procedure, you will be numbed up with local anaesthetic so that you will not feel any pain throughout the entire procedure. The wisdom tooth removal will be completed by using special equipment and tools.

During the wisdom tooth extraction HK procedure, some cracking or drilling noises may be heard and this is normal because forces are applied to break the tooth away from the tooth socket. You should expect some pushing and pulling movements, as well as some pressure in the gum and jaw area, but should not experience any sharp or stabbing sensations during wisdom tooth removal. If at any point of the wisdom tooth extraction treatment process you feel any discomfort, please feel free to notify us or our staff and additional steps to relieve the discomfort will be made immediately. 

If you think it is time for a check-up to possibly have wisdom tooth removal in HK, do not hesitate to contact us via Whatsapp, phone call or email, and we will schedule a wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong consultation appointment for you as soon as possible. 

Some Post-Operative Dos & Don’ts After Wisdom Tooth Removal

After wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong, it is normal to experience some bleeding, bruising, swelling, pain and discomfort. To ease the side effects, we have prepared a special set of instructions for you to follow at home so that once the anaesthesia wears off, you will know how to manage any of these side effects after wisdom tooth removal.
  1. Bite onto a piece of gauze for at least 30 minutes
  2. Changeover to new piece of gauze provided if bleeding continues
  3. Do not rinse with water immediately after wisdom tooth extraction, as this could affect the blood clot from forming and cause continuous bleeding
  4. Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water)
  5. Clean the wisdom tooth extraction area with soft gentle brushing
  6. Do not smoke or drink alcohol within the first 48-72 hours after wisdom tooth extraction
  7. Take pain medication as instructed by your specialist
  8. Contact us or hospital emergency department if symptoms of pain and bleeding persist after 24 hours

The Dos:

  • Leave gauze in until bleeding stops, if there is excessive bleeding after getting home then please contact us
  • Place an ice pack if there is swelling around the face
  • Keep your head elevated to reduce swelling as much as possible
  • Stay on a soft food diet and liquid diet if needed after a wisdom tooth extraction, or try to bite on the opposite side when eating
  • Drink a lot of fluids but make sure to do so without a straw
  • Take pain medication as was prescribed to you by your specialist after wisdom tooth extraction
  • Use a salt water rinse and swish around gently and spit out after 30 seconds
  • Start brushing your teeth on the second day after the wisdom tooth removal to keep the rest of your mouth and teeth clean, avoid brushing directly on the wisdom tooth extraction site/socket
  • Call us immediately if you are experiencing bleeding after 24 hours, or have a fever or pain that does not go away, even though you have followed our recommendations after wisdom tooth removal

 

The Don’ts: 

  • Use a straw to drink fluids, drinking fluids through a straw can cause dislodgement of the blood clot at the wisdom tooth removal area 
  • Sneezing or coughing with your mouth closed, doing so could also cause dislodgement of the blood clot and affect healing of the wisdom tooth extraction socket
  • Smoke within 72 hours of the wisdom tooth extraction, smoking can cause a number of issues when you have any teeth extracted such as disturbing healing, cause dizziness and increase your risk for a painful condition called a dry socket.
  • Eating hard foods or sharp foods after wisdom teeth extraction Hong Kong treatment can lead to pain or it getting stuck within the socket causing pain and discomfort. You would want to avoid such food for at least 7 days after the wisdom tooth extraction in HK.
  • Rinsing your mouth for long periods of time, or rinsing vigorously is not recommended as this can affect blood clot formation and hinder in the healing process after wisdom tooth removal HK surgery

Could There Be Any Complications After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Before your surgery for a wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong, Dr Tong will make sure to check for any potential risks and will discuss the need for any additional treatment to avoid complications.

More often than not, simple wisdom tooth removal HK procedures do not cause long term complications, however wisdom tooth extraction treatment does involve cutting into the jawbone or gums to remove the tooth safely, therefore the risk for some potential complications do exist. Some common complications that may occur after a wisdom tooth extraction include:

1. Dry socket:


This is also known as “alveolar osteitis” and is a painful condition whereby the wisdom tooth extraction socket does not heal properly. The healing may be hindered by disruption to the blood clot after wisdom tooth removal and pain may occur when there is bone exposure.
Over time your body will heal on its own but in the meantime, you will need to take pain medication to manage the pain after the wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong surgery. Also, you will need to make sure to keep the area clean well to prevent risk of infection. Antibiotics are not needed as dry socket is not a bacterial infection. Discuss your treatment options with our specialist if you believe you have dry socket after wisdom tooth extraction in HK.

2. Bacterial infection:


This usually occurs in the wisdom tooth extraction site, and may occur if oral hygiene is not maintained after the wisdom tooth removal.
Food debris and plaque accumulation around the wisdom tooth extraction socket could cause recurrent infections. Depending on the severity of the infection, and whether you are showing signs of infection elsewhere in the body, antibiotics may be given as treatment.

3. Damage to surrounding structures:


This could be to your adjacent teeth, nearby nerves, the jawbone or perforation into the maxillary sinus after a wisdom tooth extraction HK surgery.

4. Dental Paraesthesia:


This or temporary and permanent nerve damage is a possible complication if the tooth and wisdom tooth removal surgery was performed near the nerve and results from nerve trauma. Bruising and stretching of the nerve from pushing against it during wisdom tooth extraction HK surgery could result in temporary paraesthesia.
Usually, patients describe this as “tingling” or “prickly” sensations after the wisdom tooth extraction. But do not worry, this type of complication after wisdom tooth removal usually resolves itself without treatment. You may expect sensations to return within a few days or weeks, however some cases may require up to 6 months to recover.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction Hong Kong Treatment & Surgery – FAQs:

1. How long does the wisdom tooth extraction HK appointment usually last for?

Depending on the level of difficulty for the wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong, the time needed to complete the wisdom tooth removal may vary case by case. Typical consultation appointment and assessment prior to wisdom tooth extraction in HK will take roughly 30-40 minutes.

On the day of surgery, we will aim to complete the wisdom tooth removal within an hour. In more difficult cases, up to 90 minutes may be required. Before the day of surgery, we will discuss the whole wisdom tooth extraction HK procedure with you and let you know if any precautions are needed. The length of your visit will also depend on which type of anaesthesia (numbing) is needed, such as local anaesthesia, IV sedation or general anaesthesia. 

If you are doing your wisdom tooth extraction with us, you can be rest assured that your experience will be quick and painless. During a typical wisdom tooth removal HK procedure, you will need to have a numbing injection to ensure that you do not feel pain or discomfort whilst we are operating. You should however, expect to feel some pressure in the gums or gentle rocking while we try to loosen the tooth from the jaw socket. At any point during wisdom tooth extraction if you feel discomfort, please feel free to inform us or our staff so that we can manage this promptly. After the wisdom tooth removal surgery is completed, pain and swelling are expected and you will be given pain medication to take accordingly.

Immediately after wisdom tooth extraction, it is better to wait until all anaesthesia and numbing has worn off before consuming any food or beverages. This may take up to 2 hours to wait before you eat or drink after a wisdom tooth removal is done. If you are thirsty, consider taking small sips of warm or cold water but do not drink through a straw. 

Once numbing has worn off after wisdom tooth removal, you can resume a liquid diet for the rest of the day and make sure that everything is of lukewarm temperatures. 

After wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong, it is advised that you stick to a soft diet until the soreness and swelling subsides. Eating soft foods such as soups/broths, yogurt, ice-cream, congee and soft bread will help to make healing faster and will prevent risk of re-infection and further complications. Ensure that you are well-hydrated during wisdom tooth removal recovery, which may take up to 2 weeks. A comprehensive list of food and drinks we do recommend after a wisdom tooth extraction HK procedure includes:

  • Blended soups from vegetables like pumpkin or broccoli soup
  • Bone broth
  • Yogurt, especially greek yogurt
  • Mashed potatoes, mashed pumpkin
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Congee 
  • Ice-cream
  • Minced meat pie
  • Pudding/Tofu Hua
  • Mashed or fine chopped fruits e.g. mashed bananas
  • Avocado 
  • Fruit or protein smoothies 
  • Hummus 
  • Cottage cheese 
  • Instant oatmeal 

After wisdom tooth extraction, there are a few foods and drinks that could actually make recovery difficult and worsen pain and inflammation in the area. We recommend avoiding these foods for the first 48 hours after wisdom tooth extraction in Hong Kong:

  • Hot foods and drinks, instead opt for lukewarm or cold foods 
  • Spicy foods
  • Fried foods 
  • Sour foods
  • Crunchy and hard chips or crackers
  • Grains, seeds and nuts
  • Hard to chew foods
  • Alcoholic beverages 

 

After wisdom tooth extraction procedures, it is recommended to rest for 1 to 2 days before resuming your normal activities, such as going back to school or going back to work. Depending on the number of teeth removed, the level of difficulty of wisdom tooth removal, some people may find that more time is needed to recover from the pain, swelling and bruising. Over time these symptoms should subside. If symptoms do not subside or worsen, you should call us as soon as possible to prevent complications after the wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong procedure.

Slow oozing bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction is normal and is part of the healing process. It usually takes 30 minutes up to a few hours for bleeding to stop completely, and may take longer for patients that are taking blood thinning medication. 

Make sure that you have followed the post-operative instructions provided to you after wisdom tooth extraction:

  • bite onto a piece of gauze placed over the wisdom tooth removal site to allow for proper bleeding control, changeover to a new piece of gauze after 30 minutes
  • do not vigorously rinse with water as this would prevent clot formation and lead to more bleeding at the wisdom tooth extraction site. 

Other factors that could cause non-stop bleeding from the wisdom tooth extraction site may include:

  • Underlying coagulation disorders (known/unknown)
  • Infection or pus accumulation in wisdom tooth extraction area
  • Irritation or trauma to the area, e.g. eating hard foods 
  • Side effects of anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs

If you have followed our post-operative instructions for wisdom tooth extraction, but the bleeding still hasn’t stopped, indications that you require immediate medical assistance are as follows:

  • If there is excessive and profuse bleeding from the wisdom tooth extraction socket leading to pooling of blood in the mouth or systemic signs like light-headedness, dizziness or shortness of breath
  • There is severe pain from the wisdom tooth removal socket which may indicate residual infection or re-infection of the site
  • Bleeding around the wisdom tooth extraction site for 24+ hours

While waiting for medical assistance or to be seen by a specialist, you can follow these steps to prevent further bleeding: 

  • Apply firm pressure with gauze pad or a piece of cloth or cotton pad
  • Do not eat or drink or touch the area with your tongue or fingers
  • Keep your head elevated
  • Use a cold pad or compress to help reduce swelling and bleeding around the wisdom tooth removal site

It is hard to pin-point the exact time of when a person should opt for a wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong procedure, because of the different developmental rates each individual has. Some people may need to have their wisdom tooth removal in HK done at aged 14-15 immediately after hitting puberty, while some may wait until they are over 25 to have their wisdom tooth removal surgery done. It all depends on what we find on the x-rays and examination to see whether or not wisdom tooth extractions are warranted. 

As a general rule, it is actually best to have questionable wisdom teeth removed earlier (before the tooth roots have fully formed) as this gives us the best chance to avoid complex wisdom tooth extraction surgery, and you may recover faster due to the less complex nature of the wisdom tooth removal surgery. Typically, the roots of the teeth complete formation 3 years after emerging or “erupting” into the mouth. For example, if your wisdom teeth erupt at 17, it would be best to have wisdom tooth removal in HK scheduled before you turn 20. 

In cases where the tooth has not erupted by the age of 25, possibly due to being that it is growing sideways, it can be assumed that it will not erupt spontaneously and you are advised to have a wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong procedure. 

One can never be too old for anything. Although it is recommended to have wisdom tooth removal surgery done at an earlier age, this does not mean it is impossible to have wisdom tooth extraction Hong Kong surgery at a later age. The only risk by having wisdom tooth removal completed at a later age is that you may experience more complications, pain or slower healing than if you had done it sooner. Complications such as infection, dry socket and delayed wound healing are more common in older patients that undergo wisdom tooth removal HK surgery.
No, some people may go about their lives without ever having to care about their wisdom teeth, or having a wisdom tooth extraction in HK. However, with the off chance that it may give potential problems in the future. It is recommended that they are removed. This is also very case dependent and will require proper examination and x-ray analysis to determine the need for wisdom tooth removal. If you believe that you may need to have wisdom tooth removal in HK, do not hesitate to contact us and our staff will kindly assist with your questions and needs.