Wisdom Teeth: AWAY!

[Trekker4747]

Well, it's come to pass. At 35 years old I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed. Nothing is strictly "wrong" with them, they're not impacted or pushing against other teeth or really causing any problems, it was just recommended by my dentist as it seems one of them is developing a cavity and it could spread to adjacent teeth. So it's a question of "put a filling in the wisdom tooth or yank it since it's useless, and while we're there we'll grab the other one too."

"Luckily" I've only got my top two wisdom teeth (lowers never came in) so I should have it pretty easy tomorrow if the dental surgeon's consultation is anything to go by. And, hey, he says I get some narcotic pain killers to boot!

 

[Miss Chicken]

I had two wisdom teeth out when I was in my 20s. For decades their was no sign of the other two, but about 4 years ago they started to appear. I was over 50! They have never come right through, only the tips of them even though I have plenty of space for them as the 2nd molars were removed years ago.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I had one that came in very early, in my teens, removed way back when.

I had the other 3 taken out a couple years ago in my mid-40's due to crowding.

The only real problem was one of them got dry socket. So much more painful than having the teeth pulled.

 

[Random_Spock]

Had one pulled last year... turned out it had a cavity in it. Tried to brush it as well as I could, but to no avail . It was really far in the back. Glad I got it out though, it feels much better without it.

 

[Sephiroth]

So I take it that it wasn't safe.

 

[Davros]

So I take it that it wasn't safe.

Keep that oil of clove handy.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

So I take it that it wasn't safe.

Keep that oil of clove handy.

Vile concoction.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Well, it's come to pass. At 35 years old I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed. Nothing is strictly "wrong" with them, they're not impacted or pushing against other teeth or really causing any problems, it was just recommended by my dentist as it seems one of them is developing a cavity and it could spread to adjacent teeth. So it's a question of "put a filling in the wisdom tooth or yank it since it's useless, and while we're there we'll grab the other one too."

"Luckily" I've only got my top two wisdom teeth (lowers never came in) so I should have it pretty easy tomorrow if the dental surgeon's consultation is anything to go by. And, hey, he says I get some narcotic pain killers to boot!

You only had uppers too! I got mine out when I was seventeen. They started coming in before the roots formed and I did not get the heavy narcs. And I only missed my first class of the next day.

 

[1001001]

I had two pulled last year.

One was fine, came right out. The second one broke, which led to a two hour, 14-shot ordeal that has left me traumatized. I'm pretty phobic of the dentist anyway. It was awful, she had to cut through my gum, put in sutures afterward. Thank God for Vicodin...



But I'm sure you'll be fine...

 

[Pingfah]

I had all 4 done at once., they were badly impacted. I had to be put out for the op, but the recovery was absolutely horrible, the stitches hurt so much.

Extremely painful, far worse than having a ligament replaced which is the only other operation i've had.

 

[Relayer1]

Well, it's come to pass. At 35 years old I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed. Nothing is strictly "wrong" with them, they're not impacted or pushing against other teeth or really causing any problems, it was just recommended by my dentist as it seems one of them is developing a cavity and it could spread to adjacent teeth. So it's a question of "put a filling in the wisdom tooth or yank it since it's useless, and while we're there we'll grab the other one too."

"Luckily" I've only got my top two wisdom teeth (lowers never came in) so I should have it pretty easy tomorrow if the dental surgeon's consultation is anything to go by. And, hey, he says I get some narcotic pain killers to boot!

Your dentist is taking the Mickey. I had one filled and it lasted for years. When I eventually had to have it removed the dentist never suggested I had the others out. Your dentist probably needs to boost his income this month.

On the bright side, although the one I had out broke and they had a little trouble getting the hooked roots out, it wasn't that big a deal (upper ones aren't) and I was able to go to work afterwards.

 

[JohnChod]

Your dentist is taking the Mickey. I had one filled and it lasted for years. When I eventually had to have it removed the dentist never suggested I had the others out. Your dentist probably needs to boost his income this month.

Those were my thoughts. I'm always suspicious of any service provider in any field that recommends work that is not actually 'required.' That is doubly so when you get to anything related to health care. I've always felt that a more conservative approach is preferred.

 

[farmkid]

I had mine out when I was 18. They were all in and there was room for them, but there wasn't room for them and a toothbrush so I couldn't brush them. They all had cavities and rather than keep filling them I just had them taken out. The recovery wasn't bad at all. In fact, I played racquetball with a friend that evening, although it was probably the worst game I had played in years. I was a little loopy from the drugs.

 

[Trekker4747]

Eh their argument was they're unmated so I don't need them. Procedure only cost me $100. And I got Vicodin!

 

[Mary Ann]

I had all four of mine removed when I was 19. They were impacted, so I was knocked out for the whole procedure, and had some bad dreams/visions when I was slowly waking up. I had dissolvable stitches, which weren't so bad, but the dentist had stitched my left cheek to my top gum, which was very uncomfortable until it dissolved. I was going to go back to work the day after but was on Tylenol 3 which left me high as a kite, so I was off for a week instead.

 

[Mr Awe]

I had all 4 done at once., they were badly impacted. I had to be put out for the op, but the recovery was absolutely horrible, the stitches hurt so much.

Extremely painful, far worse than having a ligament replaced which is the only other operation i've had.

I had 4 done at once as well that were impacted. Need oral surgery. The guy wanted to put me out as well but I just refused that.

For whatever reason, I'm more nervous about being knocked out than the surgery. And, I figured with novocaine you can't feel anything anyway.

I think it worked out better that way for me.

Mr Awe

 

[Trekker4747]

For me it was a matter of insurance not likely covering the general anesthetic. But during the consultation the oral surgeon really didn't think I needed it and would do fine with the local, mostly citing that not being impact, the uppers, and everything we shouldn't have any trouble.

Got there this morning and basically got right in, all of the paperwork and everything was done the day before. Sat down, he and his nurses greeted me and he told me what we were going to do. He let the anesthetic take 10 minutes to "work in" after injecting it and then went to work.

He did the sideways one first which he fought and struggled with for quite some time, I guess he basically had to break it in pieces and take it out a little bit at a time. Suture for the root.

The other tooth came in normally so it was pretty much was just yanked right out. Mouth largely numb from the anesthetics but just the upper jaw, I could still mostly talk normally, aside from the gauze pads in my mouth I was told to keep in there for 30 minutes as the holes clotted.

Was given my notes for post-op care and treatment, some diet restrictions for a couple of days (mostly food that don't require too much chewing to consume, no carbonated beverages for a couple of days) among other things. Nothing too big of deal, had to buy a regular toothbrush to use since I have an electric one and they wanted gentle brushing over the surgical sites.

Left the clinic and went to get the prescription for the Vicodin filled while I shopped for some groceries. Came home and did as directed. Took 600mg of ibuprofen, waited a while, and took some Vicodin.

Right now, feeling pretty good. A little tender on that side where the sideways tooth was, but no pain. A bit groggy from the Vicodin.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I only have one wisdom tooth on the upper left, the other three don't even exist in my gums, yay! They told me the one would never come in, but I'm 28 now and it has started to grow in. However it is not impacted and looking at the x-ray, it's actually coming in quite nicely with my other teeth. I had one of my molars on that side of my mouth removed when I was younger, so there is room for it. The dentist still recommended I have it removed, because it might be difficult to brush.

I don't think I'm going to have it removed. Like others have mentioned, I prefer to be more conservative in these things, let nature take its course and intervene only when necessary. If it becomes a problem in the future, I can have it out then, but I don't see a reason to do it now because it MIGHT be an issue someday.

 

[Relayer1]

The dentist still recommended I have it removed, because it might be difficult to brush.

You should have all the others removed as well, as the dentist needs a new set of tyres on his Porsche...

 

[Trekker4747]

So.... should I be feeling pain? Because I'm kinda not and kinda haven't. Some "discomfort", sure, but not "you're going to need an opiate for a pain killer" levels of... well, anything.