Wisdom Teeth & Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is the removal, under local anaesthetic, of a tooth that cannot be saved or a wisdom tooth that is stuck or causing problems. At our Al Qusais, Dubai clinic, extractions and wisdom tooth removal are done by our Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Nissy Susan Thomas.

When does a tooth need to come out?

• A wisdom tooth that is stuck (impacted) under the gum or against the tooth in front, causing pain, swelling or repeated infection
• Decay or a crack too deep for a filling, crown or root canal
• Severe gum disease that has loosened the tooth
• Making space before orthodontic treatment, when the orthodontist asks for it

If the gap needs filling afterwards, the options include a dental implant.

Why does the position of a wisdom tooth matter?

Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come through, usually in the late teens or twenties, and there is often not enough room for them. An X-ray shows the angle of the tooth and how close its roots are to the nerve in the lower jaw.

A wisdom tooth that has come through fully can often be removed like any other tooth. One that is partly or fully under the gum needs a small surgical procedure: the gum is opened, a little bone may be removed, and the tooth is sometimes divided so it comes out in pieces with less force. The gum is then closed with stitches. This is why surgical wisdom tooth prices depend on the tooth's position.

What is the procedure like?

The area is numbed first, so you feel pushing and pressure rather than sharp pain. A simple extraction often takes only a few minutes; a surgical wisdom tooth takes longer. If you are anxious, tell us when you book. Dr. Nissy also assesses jaw-joint (TMJ) problems such as clicking or pain in front of the ear; mention them when you book.

How do you recover after an extraction?

• Bite on the gauze for the time you are told, so a clot can form.
• After a surgical extraction, some bleeding on the first day and swelling that peaks on the second or third day are normal.
• Eat soft, cool food and chew on the other side for a few days.
• For the first days, do not smoke, drink through a straw or rinse hard: these can dislodge the clot.
• Take pain relief and any medicine exactly as advised.
• Contact us if pain gets worse after the third day, bleeding does not settle with pressure, or you develop a fever.

How much does tooth extraction cost in Dubai?

A simple extraction starts from AED 300, and a surgical (impacted) wisdom tooth costs AED 1,000–2,000 depending on its angle and depth; see all dental prices.