7 simple and quick steps to remove wisdom teeth in Japan for Vietnamese people

Wisdom teeth extraction in Japan is not an easy experience, especially for those who are first exposed to the Japanese medical system and the language barrier. However, if you understand the process and prepare carefully, you can completely overcome this "obsession" easily. In this article, T-Connect will share all the experiences of wisdom tooth extraction in Japan: from the process, cost, communication tips at the dentist, to reputable clinics and advice from experienced Vietnamese people.

What is the wisdom tooth extraction process in Japan?

Most dental clinics in Japan follow a professional and safe process consisting of the following 7 steps:

• Step 1: Make an appointment in advance: You need to call or make an appointment through the clinic's website/software. Some places have English or Vietnamese support, but most use Japanese.
• Step 2: General examination and X-ray: At the first session, the doctor will examine the overall oral health, take X-rays to assess the position of the wisdom teeth, the level of deviation/impact, and from there determine the treatment direction.
• Step 3: Treatment plan consultation: You will be informed about the costs, treatment duration and possible risks.
• Step 4: Tooth extraction: The wisdom tooth extraction procedure usually takes about 30-60 minutes depending on the difficulty. It can be done at a clinic or large hospital if the tooth is deeply impacted.
• Step 5: Rest and monitor after extraction:After extraction, you will be given medicine and scheduled for a follow-up appointment.
• Step 6: Re-examination:The doctor will check the wound and remove stitches (if any).
• Step 7: Monitor and clean your teeth properly:It is very important to maintain good hygiene during the first 1-2 weeks to avoid infection.

Wisdom tooth extraction cost in Japan 

The cost of wisdom tooth extraction in Japan can vary depending on the type of tooth and the type of insurance you use:

• The complexity of the teeth (straight growth, crooked growth, impacted growth…)
• Whether you use national health insurance (健康保険 – Kenkō Hoken) or not
• Treatment at private clinic or large hospital

You can refer to the common cost table below:

Case	Cost with insurance (about 30%)	Non-insurance costs (100% self-pay)
Wisdom teeth grow straight and are easy to pull out.	2,000 – 5,000 yen	10,000 – 15,000 yen
Wisdom teeth grow crookedly, slightly impacted	5,000 – 10,000 yen	20,000 – 30,000 yen
Difficult case, need surgery at hospital	10,000 – 15,000 yen	30,000 – 40,000 yen+

Some important cost considerations include:

• National Health Insurance (Kenko Hoken) will cover about 70% of the cost if you are an international student, engineer, intern, etc. and have registered your residence in Japan.
• X-rays (~1,000 – 3,000 yen) and initial examination fees (~500 – 1,500 yen) are usually charged separately.
• Some private clinics may charge more but offer bilingual services and quick service.

Things to know when removing wisdom teeth in Japan

If you are Vietnamese living, studying or working in Japan, before having your wisdom teeth extracted in Japan, do not ignore the important notes below to avoid confusion and handle the situation promptly:

Prestigious clinic in Japan

To ensure safety and ease of communication, you should choose reputable clinics with good reviews and, if possible, staff who speak Vietnamese or English. Here are some suggestions:

In Tokyo:

• Ken Dental Clinic: famous for friendly service, English speaking support.
• Yamate Dental: good reviews from Vietnamese community, enthusiastic doctor.

In Osaka:

• Smile Plus Dental Clinic: have staff who can speak Vietnamese, handle gently.
• Osaka Dental Clinic: support for foreign patients, clear service.

In Nagoya, Fukuoka and other cities:

• Hikari Dental (Nagoya)
• Dental Aube (Fukuoka): suitable for international students and interns.

Tips for going to the dentist in Japan

Some tips you need to know when going to have your wisdom teeth removed in Japan include:

• Prepare necessary vocabulary: For example, “wisdom tooth” is 親知らず (oyashirazu), “pain” is 痛い (itai), “anesthesia” is 麻酔 (masui). Write it down in advance to give to the doctor if you are shy about communicating.
• Bring your national health insurance card: To be covered up to 70% of treatment costs.
• Do not eat before tooth extraction: Avoid vomiting when taking anesthesia or medication.
• Arrange rest after extraction: Prioritize scheduling early in the week to allow time for recovery if swelling/pain is severe.
• Don't be afraid to ask your doctor: You can ask again about the procedure, cost, extraction time and follow-up visit, either in English or through an interpreter.

Wisdom tooth extraction experience in Japan from Vietnamese

“Is it painful to have a wisdom tooth extracted in Japan?”, “Can it be extracted right away or do I need to make an appointment?”, “How long does it take for the swelling to go away?”. These are a series of familiar questions that every Vietnamese person who has a tooth extracted for the first time in Japan wonders about.

To help you prepare better, below is a summary of practical experiences from the Vietnamese community who have undergone wisdom tooth extraction in Japan:

• Do not have your teeth extracted at first visit.: Most clinics will ask you to come back after they have X-rays and have a clear treatment plan.
• Impacted teeth may need to be extracted at a major hospital.: The doctor at the clinic will write a referral letter (紹介状) if a transfer is needed, especially in difficult cases.
• Having insurance will save you a lot of money.: Many people only spend about 4,000 - 7,000 yen for one extraction thanks to using national insurance.
• Cold compress after extraction helps reduce swelling effectively: Prepare an ice pack at home and apply continuously for 10-15 minutes/time for the first 1-2 days.
• Painkillers in Japan are quite mild, so ask your doctor to prescribe a type suitable for Vietnamese people if you have a low pain tolerance.
• Eat thin porridge, soup and avoid hot foods for at least the first 2-3 days to help the wound heal quickly.
• You may need to take 1-2 days off if your job requires a lot of talking or physical activity, especially for difficult extractions or stitches.

Wisdom tooth extraction in Japan is not too complicated if you prepare the documents carefully, choose the right reputable clinic and understand the treatment process. With support from national health insurance, the cost is also very reasonable, completely within reach of international students, interns or workers.

Hopefully the practical experiences from the Vietnamese community in this article will help you feel more confident when facing a "difficult" wisdom tooth.