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By Dr. Pua Hong Ping on 24 August 2022
Wisdom teeth are the 4 teeth that grow at the back of your mouth (2 on each side; top and bottom). Commonly known as third molars, these teeth can become impacted if they are unable to erupt fully due to insufficient oral cavity space.
It’s often advisable to extract impacted wisdom teeth to prevent the occurrence of tooth decay and gum infection. There are 2 methods to remove wisdom teeth – simple or surgical extraction.
In this article, we’ll cover the differences between the 2 procedures. We’ll also share a cost breakdown of wisdom tooth extraction for public and private dental clinics in Singapore, and the types of subsidies available.
Disclaimer: Prices are accurate as of the date of publishing and are inclusive of GST. This article serves to provide general information and you are advised to contact the respective clinics for their prices.
Depending on your condition, your wisdom teeth may be removed through simple or surgical extraction.
For: Upper and lower wisdom teeth that are visible, fully erupted and not impacted
Process:
For: Wisdom teeth that are hidden under the gums, partially erupted, not fully erupted and/or impacted
Process:
You can opt to extract your wisdom tooth at a public hospital or polyclinic, or at a private dental clinic. Here is a breakdown of the costs:
| Public hospitals | Polyclinics | Private dental clinics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (simple wisdom tooth extraction) | - | $25 – $40 per tooth | $150 – $350 per tooth |
| Price (surgical wisdom tooth extraction) | $380 – $1,000 per tooth | Patients are referred to hospitals | $650 – $1,550 per tooth |
| Waiting time | At least 4 months | A few weeks to months | A few days |
Public dental clinics are available in public hospitals and polyclinics in Singapore.
While these institutions often have a longer waiting time, their prices may be lower than private clinics. Thus, they may be the preferred option for those seeking a cheaper alternative.
Price (surgical wisdom tooth extraction): $380 – $1,000 per tooth*
Waiting time: At least 4 months
Public hospitals generally handle complex and surgical wisdom tooth extractions. While they may also carry out simple extractions for private patients, most who require this service will visit their nearest polyclinic.
Depending on the size of the hospital, there may be a general dentist and a specialist. If you require subsidised dental care from a specialist, a referral letter from a polyclinic is needed. Private rates will apply for appointments made directly with the specialist.
Examples of public institutions include National University Hospital (NUH), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and National Dental Centre (NDCS).
*Retrieved from the Ministry of Health Singapore
Price (simple wisdom tooth extraction): $25 – $40 per tooth
Waiting time: A few weeks to months
Polyclinics are found in the heartlands of Singapore, making it highly convenient for residents. These facilities handle simple wisdom tooth extractions, and patients who require surgical extraction are referred to public hospitals. Referrals from polyclinics are often to a specialist.
Some polyclinics under the National Healthcare Group (NHG) may require a Dental Appointment Deposit (DAD) fee of $8. This was implemented to encourage patients to keep to their appointments and reschedule/cancel in advance if they’re unable to turn up.
Price (simple wisdom tooth extraction): $150 – $350 per tooth
Price (surgical wisdom tooth extraction): $650 – $1,550 per tooth
Waiting time: A few days
Private dental clinics are privately owned institutions, and they typically provide both simple and surgical wisdom tooth extractions. An example of a private clinic is i.Dental.
Though their prices tend to be higher, the waiting time for the services at these clinics is often shorter than that of public institutions. As such, private clinics may be ideal for patients with urgent cases.
Depending on the type of procedure, Singapore citizens can enjoy subsidies for wisdom tooth extraction under the following schemes: MediSave, CHAS, Merdeka Generation (MG) and Pioneer Generation (PG).
| MediSave | CHAS | Merdeka Generation | Pioneer Generation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility criteria | All Singapore citizens | CHAS blue card holders | Singapore citizens born 1950 – 1959 | Singapore citizens born on/before 31 December 1949 |
| Claimable for | Surgical wisdom tooth extraction | Simple wisdom tooth extraction | Simple wisdom tooth extraction | Simple wisdom tooth extraction |
| Subsidy amount | Up to $950 per tooth | $68.50 per tooth | $73.50 per tooth | $78.50 per tooth |
Claimable for: Surgical wisdom tooth extraction
Subsidy amount: Up to $1,550 per tooth
Dental claims made through MediSave are only available for surgical procedures arising from medical reasons. Thus, patients can only make claims for surgical wisdom tooth extractions.
The subsidy amount is dependent on the complexity of your extraction and this can be used to pay for a portion of the cost.
To claim from your MediSave account, you’ll need to ensure that you have a sufficient balance. If the balance is insufficient, you can opt to use the account of your immediate family members or pay for the procedure upfront.
Claimable for: Simple wisdom tooth extraction
Subsidy amount: $68.50 per tooth
CHAS is a scheme targeted at helping low and middle-income citizens by providing subsidies on their medical and dental treatments. Holders of the CHAS blue card can enjoy subsidies on simple wisdom tooth extractions.
Claimable for: Simple wisdom tooth extraction
Subsidy amount: $73.50 per tooth
The Merdeka Generation Package (MGP) is a scheme exclusive to citizens born from 1950 to 1959. By providing subsidies for healthcare services, it aims to encourage healthier living among these Singaporeans.
Citizens who are eligible for the MGP can enjoy subsidies on simple wisdom tooth extractions.
Claimable for: Simple wisdom tooth extraction
Subsidy amount: $78.50 per tooth
The Pioneer Generation (PG) package is designed to provide support for the healthcare needs of the elderly in Singapore. Singaporeans with this card can receive subsidies for simple wisdom tooth extractions.
The cost of wisdom tooth extraction at i.Dental starts at $194.40 per tooth (inclusive of GST). This price varies based on the type of extraction and the complexity of your condition.
Consultation for the procedure ranges from $21.60 to $54 (inclusive of GST) and includes a simple oral examination. If X-rays or orthopantomogram (OPG) X-rays are required, they’ll be charged separately.
Simple Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extraction
It is advisable to extract your wisdom tooth if it is decayed or impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can increase the chances of gum disease and infection, and even cause tooth decay on adjacent teeth.
You may wish to book an appointment to extract your wisdom tooth if you experience any of the following symptoms:
The cost of wisdom tooth extraction in Singapore varies depending on the type of procedure and the dental clinic chosen.
This is the cost of the procedures at i.Dental (including GST):
In general, it’s cheaper to extract your wisdom teeth at a public dental clinic. However, you may have to wait a longer time for the appointment as compared to a private clinic.
The cost of wisdom tooth extraction in Singapore is dependent on the type of procedure (simple or surgical extraction), the type of dental clinic (public hospital, polyclinic or private clinic) and the complexity of your condition. A more complicated extraction will be more expensive.
These factors can affect the complexity of the procedure:
