Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt in the human mouth and are commonly referred to as the "third molars." Due to human evolution, around 70% of modern people experience issues with wisdom teeth due to insufficient space, leading to tilting, horizontal impaction, or being embedded in the gums, causing pain or swelling. In more severe cases, they may lead to pathological changes in the teeth. In such scenarios, dentists often recommend extraction.

So how can you determine whether your wisdom tooth needs to be removed?

Self-observation:

Pain or Swelling: If you experience recurrent inflammation, redness and swelling of the gums around the wisdom teeth, pain, or even difficulty opening your mouth, this may be pericoronitis, and extraction is recommended.

Difficulty Cleaning the Mouth: Due to the far-back position of wisdom teeth, it is hard to clean them properly with a toothbrush or dental floss, which can lead to bad breath, plaque buildup, or cavities. Even if there are no current symptoms, extraction is still recommended.

Discomfort in Adjacent Teeth: If the second molar (the second-to-last large tooth) shows signs of pain, looseness, or cavities, it’s likely caused by pressure or trapped food from the wisdom tooth. Immediate extraction is advised.

Bite Issues: If the eruption of a wisdom tooth leads to crowding, misalignment, interference with chewing, or affects orthodontic treatment, such wisdom teeth are not recommended to be kept.

Key Diagnostic Methods by Professionals:

Dental Palpation: An experienced dentist will check whether the wisdom tooth has erupted, whether it's tilted, or if the gum is inflamed. If any of these are present, extraction is usually recommended.

Imaging Examinations: CT or X-rays are commonly used diagnostic tools. CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) provides 3D imaging that can accurately assess the relationship between impacted wisdom teeth and nearby nerves and bones.

Important Note: Not all patients are suitable for immediate extraction. For example, pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems have a higher risk of infection and need to control inflammation first. Additionally, if the lower wisdom tooth is close to the mandibular nerve, a CBCT evaluation is needed before extraction. Forcible removal may lead to temporary numbness due to nerve involvement. Therefore, whether your wisdom tooth needs to be extracted should be determined through a professional examination and consultation with a dentist.

Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Macau a Good Choice?

The cost of wisdom tooth extraction in Macau is generally 50%–100% higher than in Mainland China. Taking Zhuhai as an example, the price of extracting a properly positioned wisdom tooth in Macau is 2–3 times higher, while for impacted wisdom teeth, it is over 1.5 times more expensive. Based on publicly available information and dental hospital pricing statistics, cross-border dental treatment (e.g, Macau residents going to Zhuhai) can save 60%–80% in costs.

The table above shows our publicly listed pricing for wisdom teeth services on the Vickong Dental official website.

As a professional regional dental chain, Vickong Dental Zhuhai is committed to providing reliable and trustworthy dental care. Over the years, we have earned the trust of numerous dental patients through transparent pricing and personalized service plans. For example, the price of extracting a properly positioned upper wisdom tooth in Macau ranges from MOP 400–800, while at Vickong Dental, it can be done for as little as RMB 300. Our medical team includes well-known experts and chief physicians from top-tier public hospitals who are ready to serve you.

If you would like to learn more about wisdom teeth or Vickong Dental’s services, feel free to contact our customer service team:

Zhuhai: +181 6558 5927 Macau: +853 6558 5927