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Wisdom Tooth Removal
We take an X-ray first, then decide whether the tooth needs a simple extraction or a small surgical one. Not every wisdom tooth has to come out.
Wisdom teeth are the last molars, at the very back of the mouth, and most people get them between the late teens and mid twenties. Some grow in straight and cause no trouble. Others stay trapped under the gum or bone, or tilt against the tooth in front.
At our clinic in Malad West the first step is always an X-ray. We use digital X-rays (LASER RVG, which uses lower radiation than conventional film), and for wisdom teeth an OPG panoramic picture of both jaws is usually needed as well. The X-ray shows how the tooth sits, where its roots are and how close it is to the nerve in the lower jaw. That decides everything that follows.
When wisdom tooth removal can help
- Repeated pain or swelling at the back of the jaw, especially when a flap of gum covers part of the tooth
- A bad taste or smell from the back of the mouth that returns after cleaning
- A cavity in a wisdom tooth that is too far back to fill reliably
- Food packing between the wisdom tooth and the molar in front, leading to decay or gum problems
- A tooth that is pushing against the neighbouring molar or damaging it
- A cyst or infection seen on an X-ray
Your options
Simple extraction
The tooth has erupted through the gum and can be loosened and lifted out. It is usually quick, and most people feel pressure rather than pain under local anaesthesia. Healing is generally the easier of the two.
Surgical extraction
The tooth is partly or fully under the gum, or lying at an angle. We make a small opening in the gum, and sometimes divide the tooth into pieces so it comes out in sections. This takes longer and usually leaves a few stitches and more swelling. Risks include dry socket, infection and, for lower teeth close to the nerve, temporary numbness of the lip, chin or tongue, which is uncommon and usually settles. We go through these before you agree.
What happens, step by step
- 1
Consultation and X-ray
We ask about your symptoms and your medical history, including any blood thinners or long term medicines. We take the X-ray, usually an OPG, and go through it with you. If the tooth is not causing a problem, we may suggest watching it instead.
An X-ray of a lower wisdom tooth lying tilted against the tooth in front of it, the kind of view used to plan removal. Photo: Nizil Shah, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), resized - 2
Local anaesthesia
We numb the area with an injection and wait until it has taken effect. You stay awake. You will feel pressure and movement, but should not feel sharp pain. Tell us if you do, and the anaesthetic can be topped up.
- 3
Removal
A simple extraction can take a few minutes. A surgical one usually takes longer. When the tooth is out we clean the socket, place stitches if needed, and have you bite on gauze to control bleeding.
- 4
Instructions before you leave
We explain what is normal in the first few days and what care to follow. If something worries you, contact the clinic rather than waiting.
After treatment
- Bite gently on the gauze for the time we advise, and replace it if bleeding continues.
- Do not rinse hard, spit, or use a straw for the first day. This helps the blood clot stay in the socket.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol for several days. Smoking raises the chance of dry socket.
- Eat soft, lukewarm food and chew on the other side until the area settles.
- Use the pain medicine and any antibiotic exactly as prescribed. Cold packs on the cheek help with swelling in the first day.
- Call us if pain gets worse after the third day, if bleeding does not stop, or if you develop a fever.
When we suggest something else
A wisdom tooth that is healthy, fully erupted and easy to clean can usually stay. We would rather review it on your X-ray every year or so than take out a tooth that is doing no harm.
If the problem is only a swollen flap of gum over a partly erupted tooth, a deep clean and rinse may settle it for now. It tends to come back, though, and repeated flare-ups are a common reason people choose removal later.
Cost
Typical cost across Mumbai
- Surgical or impacted wisdom tooth, per tooth
- ₹6,000 to ₹15,000
Teeth that need bone removal or sectioning, and sedation, push the cost up.
Ranges published by Mumbai clinics and price guides, checked October 2026: ClinicSpots, Bajaj Finserv Health, Sabka Dentist. These are not our prices.
What changes the cost
- Whether the extraction is simple or surgical
- How deeply the tooth is placed and how its roots are shaped
- How many teeth are removed in the same visit
- The X-rays needed to plan the procedure
- Any infection that needs treating before the tooth can come out
Visit us for a detailed quote. We examine your teeth and give you a written estimate before any treatment starts.
Who treats you
- Dr. (Lt.Col) Suresh Isawe, Founder & Senior Surgeon (BDS (Mumbai, 1981), PGDPC, MIAO (USA))
- Dr. Kanchan Koli, General Dentistry Specialist (BDS)
Questions patients ask
Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?
The area is numbed with local anaesthesia, so you feel pressure and movement but should not feel sharp pain. Soreness and some swelling are normal for a few days afterwards, and medicine is usually prescribed to manage it.
How long does it take to recover?
Most people feel much better within three to five days. Swelling tends to peak around the second or third day. After a surgical extraction, it can take a week or two before the area feels normal.
Can I go back to work the next day?
After a simple extraction many people do. After a surgical one, plan on a day or two of rest.
What is dry socket and how do I avoid it?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket is lost early, which exposes the bone and causes deep, aching pain a few days after removal. Avoiding smoking, straws and hard rinsing in the first days lowers the chance. If it happens, we clean the socket and place a dressing.
Do all four wisdom teeth have to come out together?
No. They can be removed one side at a time, or sometimes together, depending on how they sit and how you prefer to recover. We advise on what suits you.
What should I eat after the extraction?
Soft, cool or lukewarm food such as dal, khichdi, curd, soup and mashed vegetables. Avoid very hot, spicy or crunchy food for the first few days.
Typical Duration
Usually one visit of 30 to 60 minutes
Visit Us in Malad West
A-102, Marve Link Appt., 1st Floor, Marve Road, Mith Chowky, Malad (W), Mumbai 400064
- Monday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed