Wisdom teeth and dentists

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

One of my wisdom teeth is slanted towards the adjacent teeth (molars?). One dentist told me it's no big deal, another suggested it is and I should go consult with an oral surgeon about having it removed.

I did some reading online and apparently wisdom tooth removal is routine (if painful) and usually goes by without a hitch. Sometimes, complications can occur resulting in lifelong loss of sensation in the face and lips.

Given that my wisdom teeth don't hurt at all, does it make sense to get them removed? I am under the assumption that the oral surgeon will recommend removal - after all, that is what they do.

Your opinions and thoughts on this are welcome. Please focus on the medical/dental aspects of this and not cost.

[Niels Bohr 72]

From what I've read, the older you get, the longer it takes for you to recover from having it removed. It may not cause problems now, but, the question is that if it causes problems in the future.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I had all 4 removed.

Mostly because they weren't coming in properly and were pushing my other teeth around.

I belive my bottom ones were like how you described yours.

I was knocked out for mine, they took them out and had to stitch the bottom gums.

It was painful afterward for a couple days, but it starts hurting less.

They give you a prescription for a good painkiller.

[Ban Hammer 13,407]

i've had all 4 removed.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Mostly because they weren't coming in properly and were pushing my other teeth around.

Were you in pain or did the dentist tell you? O rboth/

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Were you in pain or did the dentist tell you? O rboth/

I wasnt in pain at all.

The dentist told me to get them removed.

[Jaime and Melvin 0]

It sounds like your wisdom teeth are *impacted*. My lower wisdoms are impacted and occasionally cause me pain, but the Surgeon doesn't want to operate to remove them, as I have nerves very close to the teeth and it may cause nerve damage in my chin and lip.

I say, if they aren't bothering you, just leave them be

[john & jean 37]

was told to go to an oral surgeon. found a quack for a lot less, looked like I had been in a severe car wreck, complete w/ black eyes

[William33 110]

I had all 4 removed when I was 27, because the two impacted ones were crowding/compressing my other teeth. Before undesirable tooth realignment occurred, which would have caused the need for braces, my dentist recommended removal.

Two notes of advice if you decide to go forward:

1.) Get all four done at once. If you opt for two at a time, you may never want to see a dentist again. I missed my follow up surgery 2 times before my Dentist called and finally convinced me to come in.

2.) Follow their after care treatment to the letter. After the second round of surgery, I ate and drank at will, which caused a condition known as "dry socket". Not pleasant to say the least.

Bottom line, if the wisdom teeth are causing you no issues at all, forget about it.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... the Surgeon doesn't want to operate to remove them, as I have nerves very close to the teeth and it may cause nerve damage in my chin and lip.

How do they determine that?

[rin and john 71]

Dentist told me at 20 yo to get them out because they were at an angle; pushing against the adjacent molar. Didn't hurt, no insurance, didn't do it. They never erupted (broke thru the gum).

When I was about 30, one erupted thru the gum finally. Of course, being at an angle against the molar, it could not come in fully, so it was barely thru. Lots of inflamation, pain, etc. Finally had them out when I was 31. By that time the damage was done, they had spent ten years at an angle pushing all my teeth forward. Wish I had had them out at 20. Both my daughters had theirs out by 18.

[When2RNLove 6]

One of my wisdom teeth is slanted towards the adjacent teeth (molars?). One dentist told me it's no big deal, another suggested it is and I should go consult with an oral surgeon about having it removed.

I did some reading online and apparently wisdom tooth removal is routine (if painful) and usually goes by without a hitch. Sometimes, complications can occur resulting in lifelong loss of sensation in the face and lips.

Given that my wisdom teeth don't hurt at all, does it make sense to get them removed? I am under the assumption that the oral surgeon will recommend removal - after all, that is what they do.

Your opinions and thoughts on this are welcome. Please focus on the medical/dental aspects of this and not cost.

If they don't give you problems, leave them be. I would only experience minor discomfort not often, but I still had mine removed at age 43 under gas and IV.

[웃 910]

My dentist recommended I remove all 4. I visited the oral surgeon for consultation and set up an appointment in December of 2007.

You can choose to be knocked out or to do it while awake. I chose to be drugged up and knocked out for a few extra dollars. Very well worth it. I got to the office and sat in the reclining surgical chair and the nurse injected me up with an iv. She said just relax. I was thinking to myself there is no way in hell I'm about to fall asleep with this medicine, I'm so tough! Well, I recall about 8 seconds going by and then I woke up and the procedure was over.

So anyways, I woke up and was in 0 pain. On a scale of pain where 0 is no pain and 100 is severe pain I was between 0 and 2 (NO PAIN).

The only awkwardness is realizing that 4 of your teeth are gone and getting used to it. And they say to eat liquidy type food or soups and applesauce, etc. Well, I used it as an excuse to eat ice cream for dinner (felt good on my gums). But after a day or 2 I was eating regular food.

And the very same day my teeth were pulled I went to the gym and ran 4 miles at a 7:30 to 8 minute per mile pace.

As an added bonus I got a prescription to vicadin and enjoyed popping 2 or 3 to go to sleep. Saved about 20 for my Christmas vacation to Mexico (2-4 on the plane ride, etc.).

But it feels great to have those useless teeth removed. So much more space in your mouth. Way easier to floss. I highly recommend!

Edited January 24, 2010 by NOsamaCare

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

They give you a prescription for a good painkiller.

As an added bonus I got a prescription to vicadin ...

I am sensing a theme Y'all just do this for the drugs!!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Well, I recall about 8 seconds going by and then I woke up and the procedure was over. It was awesome!

So anyways, I woke up and was in 0 pain. On a scale of pain where 0 is no pain and 100 is severe pain I was between 0 and 2 (NO PAIN).

I assume recovery is more painful?