For patients in South Africa

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Turkey from South Africa: what decides the cost and how long to stay

Wisdom teeth are the third and last set of molars, and they usually come through between the ages of 17 and 25. In many people they get trapped under the gum or jawbone, or grow at an angle, and cause pain, infection or damage to the tooth next door. Taking them out is a routine oral surgical procedure, but because the teeth are often impacted it is usually more involved than an ordinary extraction. This page covers cost factors, time in İzmir and aftercare for South African patients.

When wisdom teeth need to come out

A wisdom tooth is usually removed when it is causing a problem now or is likely to cause one later. The common reasons are:

• It is impacted, meaning trapped beneath the gum or bone
• It causes pain or repeated infections
• It has decay or is damaging the neighbouring tooth

If your imaging shows a wisdom tooth that is causing no trouble, ask whether it needs to come out at all.

What happens in İzmir

Each removal is planned with digital imaging of the tooth and surrounding structures. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic as appropriate, so you should not feel pain during treatment. Afterwards, swelling, soreness and a stiff jaw are normal and usually ease over several days.

Surgeons are board-certified and listed on clinic facts. The procedure itself is described on the wisdom teeth removal page.

What decides the cost

Wisdom teeth removal cost in South Africa and in Turkey depends on the individual case. What decides it:

• How many wisdom teeth are being removed
• How deeply each one is impacted, and whether a surgical approach is needed rather than a simple extraction
• The type of anaesthesia: local, sedation or general
• Whether other treatment is done on the same trip
• What the package includes, such as accommodation and transfers

Our pricing is transparent: your written quotation sets out what is included, and a firm figure is only possible once your X-rays or scans have been reviewed. When comparing options, include flights, time off work and follow-up with your own dentist.

Travelling from South Africa

Flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town take around ten hours to Istanbul direct, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir, where treatment takes place. İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa, so jet lag is not a factor, and South Africans need an e-Visa before travelling. Plan to stay until the surgeon is happy with healing, which for most patients is one to three days after surgery; keep your return ticket flexible.

For the first few days, eat soft foods and avoid smoking, straws, vigorous rinsing, heavy exercise and touching the area, which raise the risk of a dry socket, including on the flight home.

South African medical schemes generally do not cover planned dental treatment abroad, so check with yours before you book; we cannot promise any refund. Standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad too.

Aftercare at home

• Ask for a written record of what was done, and your X-rays or scans, to take home
• Tell your dentist in South Africa before you travel and book a check-up for after you return

Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications arising from surgical treatment for one year, with any clinically necessary treatment carried out in İzmir at no charge for the treatment itself; flights and accommodation remain your own cost. How complaints are handled is set out on our complaints page. If another tooth needs removing, see tooth extraction in Turkey, and for more complex surgery oral surgery in Turkey.

What we will not do

We will not remove wisdom teeth without imaging, or clear you to fly before the surgeon is satisfied.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay in Turkey after wisdom teeth removal?

Most patients can return home one to three days afterwards, provided healing is progressing normally and the surgeon is happy for you to travel.

What decides the cost of wisdom teeth removal?

How many teeth come out, how deeply they are impacted, whether a surgical approach is needed, the type of anaesthesia, and what the package includes, such as accommodation and transfers. A firm figure is only possible after your X-rays or scans have been reviewed.

Is wisdom tooth removal painful?

It is done under local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic as appropriate, so you should not feel pain during treatment. Swelling, soreness and a stiff jaw afterwards are normal and usually ease over several days.

Can I fly home to South Africa soon after surgery?

Yes, once your surgeon is happy with healing, which for most patients is one to three days after surgery. Keep to soft food and avoid smoking and drinking through a straw on the journey.

Will my medical aid cover wisdom teeth removal in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover planned treatment abroad. Check with your scheme before you book, and note that standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment too.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.