Do you frequently experience pain in the back of your jaw? Discomfort when chewing, or recurring swelling of the back gums? These could be signs of wisdom teeth (third molar) that grow imperfectly or are blocked by gums and bones (impaction).

Many patients who come to Opal Dental have questions about wisdom tooth extraction or surgery (odontectomy). To help you understand better and feel less hesitant about treatment, let's address the most frequently asked questions one by one!

When Should Wisdom Teeth Surgery Be Performed?

The best time to have your wisdom teeth checked is at the age of17 to 25 years oldAt this age, the roots of wisdom teeth are not yet fully formed and the jawbone is still not very dense, making tooth extraction much easier and recovery faster.

However, medically, surgery should be performed immediately if you start experiencing symptoms such as:

• Severe pain in the back jaw area.
• Swollen, red, or pus-filled gums (pericoronitis).
• Wisdom teeth press on the teeth next to them, causing crowding or cavities.
• The formation of a cyst or lump around the impacted tooth.

What are the side effects if wisdom teeth are not removed?

Leaving wisdom teeth that are crooked or trapped in the gums is not a wise choice. Some of the long-term risks we often encounter at the clinic include:

1. Damage to the adjacent tooth:Wisdom teeth that grow crookedly will press on the second molars, causing them to develop cavities or experience root damage.
2. Recurrent Infection:Food debris can easily get stuck in the gum folds covering wisdom teeth and is difficult to clean with a regular toothbrush, triggering gum tissue infections.
3. Jaw Cyst:A fluid-filled sac (cyst) can form around an undeveloped tooth, potentially damaging the jawbone and nerves.
4. Crowded Teeth:The pressure from wisdom teeth can damage the previously neat arrangement of front teeth.

What Tests Should Be Done Before Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Before performing any procedure, the oral surgery specialist at Opal Dental will conduct a thorough evaluation. The main tests required are:Panoramic X-ray.

A panoramic X-ray provides a 2D visual image of your entire oral structure. From this image, the doctor can see:

• The inclination and depth of the wisdom teeth position.
• Shape and number of tooth roots.
• The distance between the root of the wisdom tooth and the important nerve canal in the lower jaw (Inferior Alveolar Nerve).

How Long Does It Take to Remove a Wisdom Tooth?

The duration of wisdom teeth surgery varies, depending on the difficulty of the case:

• Simple Case (Teeth have already appeared on the surface):It takes about20 – 30 minutes.
• Complex Cases (Tooth fully embedded in bone or curved roots):It takes about45 – 90 minutes.

During the procedure, you will not feel any pain because the area is locally anesthetized.

Is General Anesthesia Used to Remove 2 Wisdom Teeth?

The answer:Not always.Most procedures for removing or operating on 2 wisdom teeth (for example, the upper and lower right side at the same time) are sufficient usinglocal anesthetic (local anesthesiaThe gum area will be numbed so you remain conscious without feeling pain.

General anesthesia (general anesthesia) is usually only recommended when:

• The patient has very high anxiety (dental phobia).
• 4 wisdom teeth were removed at once in one session.
• Impaction cases are very complex and require special treatment in a hospital.

Why is Wisdom Teeth Surgery So Expensive?

Many patients question the cost difference between a regular tooth extraction and wisdom teeth surgery. It's important to note that wisdom teeth surgery (odontectomy) is classified as a minor surgical procedure. The costs include:

• Specialist Doctor Expertise:The procedure is performed by an experienced dentist specializing in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Sp.BM).
• Procedure Difficulty Level:The doctor will need to make a small incision in the gum, sometimes splitting the tooth into several pieces, and scrape away some of the obstructing bone.
• Equipment and Sterility:Using special surgical instruments, gum suture materials, and high sterilization standards to prevent infection.
• Medical Risks:This procedure requires extra care because the teeth are located close to the blood vessels and nerves of the jaw.

What is the Estimated Cost of Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Fees at Opal Dental

We are atOpal DentalWe are committed to providing safe, comfortable, and transparent oral surgery. The estimated cost of wisdom teeth surgery depends on the severity of the case (simple, moderate, or complex):

• Simple Tooth Extraction / Without Complications: Starting from Rp250.000 – Rp450.000per tooth.
• Wisdom Teeth Surgery (Odontectomy / M3 with complications):Ranging betweenRp750,000 to Rp1,500,000+per tooth (depending on the severity of the impaction and the position of the tooth).

Note: The above costs do not include doctor consultations, post-operative medication, and panoramic X-rays.

Costs at Other Dental Clinics & Hospitals in General

As a general comparison in Indonesian health facilities:

• Public Health Center / General Clinic: Around Rp500.000 – Rp1.000.000per tooth (for medium action).
• Private Dental Clinic (Standard - Premium):Ranging betweenRp1.500.000 – Rp3.500.000per tooth.
• Private Hospitals (with General Anesthesia / Operating Room):Can achieveRp5.000.000 – Rp10.000.000+per tooth if it involves hospitalization and an anesthesia team.

Does BPJS Cover the Cost of Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Yes, BPJS Kesehatan covers the cost of wisdom teeth surgery.However, this action must be based on medical indications (not aesthetic reasons) and must follow a tiered referral procedure:

1. Come to a Level 1 Health Facility (Health Center/Clinic registered with your BPJS).
2. If Faskes 1 does not have an oral surgery specialist/facility, you will be given a referral letter to a BPJS partner hospital/clinic.
3. The operation is carried out at the referral hospital according to the specified schedule.

For your information, Opal Dental Clinic prioritizes independent private services with more controlled queues, maximum comfort, and flexible treatment without the need for tiered referral procedures.

What are the risks of wisdom teeth surgery?

In general, wisdom teeth surgery is a very safe procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some mild to moderate risks to anticipate:

• Swelling and Bruising:This is normal for 3–5 days after surgery.
• Light Bleeding:Occurs several hours after the procedure.
• Dry Socket (Alveolitis):A condition where the blood clot at the extraction site breaks loose too quickly, causing the bone to become exposed and painful.
• Paresthesia (Temporary Numbness):Numbness in the lips, tongue, or chin due to pressure on the jaw nerve during surgery. This condition is usually temporary and improves within a few weeks.

Consult Your Wisdom Teeth Health at Opal Dental

Don't let fear or uncertainty delay your oral health. The sooner problematic wisdom teeth are treated, the lower the risk of complications.

The team of dentists and specialists atOpal DentalWe're ready to help you through the wisdom teeth treatment process with minimal pain and a calming atmosphere. Schedule your consultation and X-ray with us today!