My wisdom tooth extraction experience

desertstorm

Just had mine out yesterday! Had to go into hospital for a GA as I was getting all 4 out and 2 lower ones were buried.

The 2 upper ones are fine now, havn't really noticed them! but my left side bottom one was particularly deep and has swollen up the most, but the dentist said that because this one was the most trauma to the mouth, the brain would kind of filter out the pain of the other 3 - something called Gate Theory apparently!

Anyway they give you a relaxant before the GA, it was fairly awesome, like the really relaxed feeling you get after 4/5 pints, but without feeling drunk

after the GA, next thing I know I'm in the recovery room under quite possibly the most awesome heated blanket ever, then just fell asleep again for another while

was bleeding a bit yesterday, and mouth looks pretty beat up on the inside, but was able to eat some scrambled eggs this morning, going to have pasta later!

Main annoyance at the minute is a sore throat, making it hard to swallow, and a constantly drying out mouth no matter how much i drink!

Overall not a terrible experience, can't wait to heal up and get me some Elephant Castle hot wings

WhodahWoodah

Unfortunately I've just had horror stories with mine. Had the lower 2 removed about 10 years ago under general in Wexford and whatever they were doing to me I was bruised all down my neck and spent the rest of the day vomiting blood that presumably they had just allowed to run down my throat during the procedure. A very horrific experience when you have all that soreness and swelling and a mouthful of stitches!!

Then I just had one of my top ones removed in Waterford at the regular dentist under local but it was an awful extraction! Took about 90 mins because the roots were after growing in a pincer shape and embedding into my jawbone. After a load of welly by the dentist it finally came out but it took a big splintered lump of my jawbone out with it!! The piece of bone was about the size of the tooth itself! Even the dentist was really surprised! You could clearly see by looking at the tooth though that there was no way it was going anywhere without taking bone.

I now have one remaining wisdom tooth and there is no way in he'll I'm touching it unless I absolutely have to!! Hasn't made me afraid of the dentist though - I'm getting some old black fillings replaced with white ones in a few weeks - I'm just now afraid of wisdom teeth!!!

Retrovertigo

Had a wisdom tooth that was basically impacted down to the gum and needed to be surgically removed. I put it off for years out of fear. I shouldn't have as considering how easy it was and the amount of pain I went through every time it got infected, on retrospect I was foolish.

In my case I was under a local anesthetic, no sedation. The anesthetic in a knock on effect seems to also partially numb your tongue so you can kind of taste some blood once pulled but that was about it. The relief once done made me question why I hadn't had it done sooner.

In reality I was pretty sore for a few weeks after. Couldn't eat anything but soft food for a few days but that's to be expected.

The whole ordeal was over painlessly in under 10 minutes. I considered sedation but it would have been wasted money.

Big_G

Retrovertigo wrote: »

Had a wisdom tooth that was basically impacted down to the gum and needed to be surgically removed. I put it off for years out of fear. I shouldn't have as considering how easy it was and the amount of pain I went through every time it got infected, on retrospect I was foolish.

In my case I was under a general anesthetic, no sedation. The anesthetic in a knock on effect seems to also partially numb your tongue so you can kind of taste some blood once pulled but that was about it. The relief once done made me question why I hadn't had it done sooner.

In reality I was pretty sore for a few weeks after. Couldn't eat anything but soft food for a few days but that's to be expected.

The whole ordeal was over painlessly in under 10 minutes. I considered sedation but it would have been wasted money.

If you were awake, you had the tooth removed under local anaesthetic, not general.

Retrovertigo

Oops, was a local then. Not exactly up on the terms.

Saadyst

Saadyst wrote: »

Got 3 wisdom teeth removed on Wed 20th, 12 days ago - one lower (impacted) and 2 upper. All required to cut into the gum, and the lower to be cut into the bone (!).

Surgeon told me he'd be cautious about going for the last one since it was buried really deep and there would be a greater chance of complications (permanent tingling). I'm glad he didn't now, since the other lower wisdom tooth that was removed was the worst one to recover with.

I've still some stitching, apparently they should dissolve at some point. Although the bleeding has stopped, gums still a bit tender. Some blood in the morning etc. Face was swollen and slightly bruised for near enough 5 days tho.


Also, had a reaction to either the anti-biotic (augmentin), or the pain killer (difene) - terrible rash covering most of my back! Seems to be fading now anyway, since I stopped taking the meds a week ago after my mouth got better.

I'll be glad when my mouth starts feeling "normal" again, and hopefully won't need to worry about the last one giving me any trouble.

4 weeks on the day, and the site of the lower wisdom tooth that was removed seemed to have opened up - just felt different to my tongue, although there's no real pain, maybe just a slight throbbing. Also swelling around the area (cheeks swollen etc). Looking closely in the mirror, and there was something white that appeared to be coming out.. pus I guess

I guess this means it's infected... just seems strange since I thought it had closed and healed up. Back in to the dentist tomorrow, hopefully this won't be a prolonged process to fix / heal, or won't need powerful medication as my last experience wasn't great.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I would like to make a point here as this thread is quite popular.

When you have wisdom teeth some are impacted and some are not. A general dentist might refer you to a specialist oral surgeon if the tooth is impacted, badly broken down or close to the nerves. If this is the case a specialist oral surgeon is a dentist will at least 3 years extra training in removing these difficult teeth will see you. With them you stand the best chance of having a quick, painless extraction without long term damage to the nerves, They also offer GA and sedation services.

A specialist oral surgeon is more expensive than a regular dentist because these teeth are harder than normal (hence a regular dentist referred you)

If you shop around on price mostly you will get another general dentist who will give it a lash (or realise on X-ray that its too difficult and waste another consultation fee). Good dentists refer on things that its in YOUR best interests to have done by somebody better trained in that proceedure. It is not wise to assume that anyone can do it and tender it to the lowest bidder. Anyone who quoates you without seeing an X-ray is not thinking of your best interests.

Bubs99

You are very lucky not to have had much pain. I got my wisdom tooth removed 3 years ago under local anaesthetic also in Cork University Hospital (Im from Waterford).

My wisdom tooth was growing horrizontly into my molar and digging a whole causeing a cavity so it had to be removed. It took just a few minutes and my tooth had to be cut in half to take it out. i lost alot of blood from this, all the way home in the car and I was in alot of pain and week.

I stopped smoking (due to the stitches which was great). I have put the wisdom tooth op in the top 5 of my most painful procedures/illnesses. It took me 5 weeks to recover. i couldn't eat proper food for a fortnight & could barely talk or open my mouth. I had to use corsydol mouth wash all the time.

My cousin got 4 of them out and had to stay in hospital for 2 weeks!!!

donegal11

I got my 4 wisdom teeth extracted apparently because of decay(had no pain and not impacted) by my dentist under local anesthetic,I got them out one at a time(4 visits).The top two where the hardest in that the first one came out in two pieces(the noise of the tooth being pulled ugh!) taking a little bit of bone with it and the bleeding lasted on and off for 5 days not really knowing what to eat. As it was my first extraction i didn't really know if that was the normal experience.

The next (top wisdom tooth)as easier in that it came out in one piece but as the dentist was pulling at it i could find my jaw moving with it, which is not very nice feeling causing me to slightly close my mouth making in harder for the dentist. The last two where the bottom teeth and came out within minutes and just popped out on both occasions, didn't even notice any bleeding afterwards.

Overall my experience was relatively good and painless, the worst part is waiting for the numbness to wear off especially with the lower ones wondering was there any nerve damage(not really):pac:,.It's also great knowing that there out of the way and I won't have to get them out later down the road.

w@ll3gurl

Hope this isn't too off topic, but in terms of after care for wisdom teeth, nobody seems to have mentioned salt.
I got mine out (all 4 together) several years ago under general & the whole experience was grand. But anyway I remember going home, the surgeon said to me to make sure to rinse out very regularly (and especially after eating) with hot salt water, as hot as you can manage without burning yourself.
I used to boil the kettle, leave it for ages to cool to just right temp, and load it up with salt, stir it really well, take a mouthful and let the salty water run all over the wounds, wash out crumbs etc. I did this religiously for about a week and I found my mouth healed up really fast. Surgeon commented on it when I went back.
I found it eased the tenderness after and also i never got any infection or anything.

Dentist mods, please correct me if i'm wrong though, but I think salt water would be much better and easier on you than some of those Corsodyl mouthwashes. The taste of them after an op on your mouth ...yeeuuch...
I'd say its important to keep the wounds clean too, can't imagine its good to have crumbs lying in the hole for days when you can't really brush your teeth properly.

I just wanted to add this, cos I read a few posts that mention pus and anything that prevents anybody from suffering pus and infections.....

Busi_Girl08

Yup, I rinsed (carefully!) with warm salt water aswell twice a day. I swear by it. It really helps with the healing.

Although I did rinse with some plain warm water afterwards aswell, because the salt can be a bit irritating.

ballsymchugh

salty water is a run of the mill instruction for post op extractions, not just wisdom teeth.

donegall, you were seriously unlucky with the top extractions. 90% of the time, they'll just pop out! it takes longer to give the anaesthetic for them than to do the extraction.

cj2007

Got all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed on the 5th of Jan 2011- 2 days ago. The procedure itself was a walk in the park! I went in with nightmare stories from friends about being half awake and feeling drills ect but I was completly sedated the oral surgeon put a drip in my hand and after that I remember NOTHING until I woke up!

After waking up I was brought into another room to sleep for about 40 mins and was then collected. I experienced alot of blood but apart from that I had no pain as I was given a difene before the procedure!

I slept most of ths first day. The second day I was quite sore and the left cheek was swollen and tender.I could only eat soft foods.

Im now on day 3 and my bottom left gum is very sore and tender. I am using salt water to try and prevent infection. Sleeping is quite hard as I usually sleep on my left side which I cant do at the moment and I have woken up in the middle of the night and need to take pain killers to get back to sleep.

Hope this helps anyone scared of going for the procedure. I was terrified but in all honestly it wasnt bad at all and im a bad patient!! Maybe i just had a very good surgeon!

smelly sock

cj2007 wrote: »

Got all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed on the 5th of Jan 2011- 2 days ago. The procedure itself was a walk in the park! I went in with nightmare stories from friends about being half awake and feeling drills ect but I was completly sedated the oral surgeon put a drip in my hand and after that I remember NOTHING until I woke up!

After waking up I was brought into another room to sleep for about 40 mins and was then collected. I experienced alot of blood but apart from that I had no pain as I was given a difene before the procedure!

I slept most of ths first day. The second day I was quite sore and the left cheek was swollen and tender.I could only eat soft foods.

Im now on day 3 and my bottom left gum is very sore and tender. I am using salt water to try and prevent infection. Sleeping is quite hard as I usually sleep on my left side which I cant do at the moment and I have woken up in the middle of the night and need to take pain killers to get back to sleep.

Hope this helps anyone scared of going for the procedure. I was terrified but in all honestly it wasnt bad at all and im a bad patient!! Maybe i just had a very good surgeon!

Do you mind me asking how much it cost?

My girlfreind is in a bad way with one of hers at the moment and is going to see the dentist.
With things as tight as they are now just trying to do the maths and see if we can afford to have the lot out.

johnbcnone

Got a lower wisdom tooth out 9 days ago and I am just about recovered now.
Done by an oral surgeon used local anesthetic. Needed more anesthetic as the dentist drilled deeper. Tooth came out without a problem. My first night at home was fairly rough. The next day I started to take Nurofen and then I could manage the pain. Did not take antibiotics, concentrated more on good oral hygiene. I thought the salt water mouthwash was slightly aggravating things so I used a proprietary mouthwash (Oral plus warm water rinse. I got back to solids (toast) fairly quickly as I could still chew on one side of my mouth.
Initially I was taking 2 Nurofen tablets twice a day which I later reduced to 2 tablets once a day. I hope to get completely off the Nurofen today or tomorrow.
Another point is that I am in VHI plan B and my dentist is claiming against my VHI.
I would rate the experience as tough but manageable as I did not have any complications. Thank God.

silvo

Got two lower teeth out yesterday just with a local anesthetic. I was meant to have a IV sedation but there was some problem with the machine so I just told them to go ahead. The first tooth was fine and came out in one, but the second was drilled into little bits to be taken out. It was uncomfortable but not unmanageable. Last night I was in a bit of pain and didnt sleep well for a while, but this morning I am feeling grand. I can taste a bit of blood in my mouth and I have a puffy face, but so far so good. I have eaten a large yoghurt and a milkshake but I am dying from a cup of tea

Jelly2

These are probably silly questions, but I'm going to ask anyway. Every so often for the past three years, I get pain in the area of two of my wisdom teeth, which is quite sore but goes away after about five-seven days or so. My questions are: how much pain is normal for wisdom teeth? And is it normal for it to occur intermittently for three years? At first the pain was in the right side of my mouth but it is always the left side now...I guess that means that the teeth in the right side grew first and now the left side teeth are making their presence felt? Any information appreciated!

Kingtuck

cornbb wrote: »

Got the first of my wisdom teeth out under local anaesthetic on the 6th (the monday before last). The two lower teeth were impacted, meaning they were growing in horizontally, and needed removing as they would cause chronic infections and all sorts of horribleness.

So, I read all the horror stories on the web, prepared myself, and headed for the dentist. He pumped in a load of anaesthetic and slit my gum open with a scalpel (the tooth was more or less fully buried under the gum). He then proceeded to take out the tooth, alternately drilling at it and wrenching at it with some sort of lever. The nurse sucked away all the blood and bits of broken tooth, the dentist stitched up my gum, and it was all over in about 15 mins.

Now, this may all sound horrible and gory so far, but it was actually grand. The whole procedure and most of the recovery was completely painless. I got a course of antibiotics and painkillers, which I didn't use very much. My jaw was a bit swollen and bruised, and my gum leaked small amounts of blood for about 5 days. I'd rate all that as an inconvenience at worst, to be honest.

Its 8 days later now - the stitches are irritating my gum a bit and there's a little pus still leaking out but generally my mouth is back to normal. So, basically, all I'm trying to do here is reassure anyone facing wisdom tooth removal that its not as horrible as you're lead to believe!

Anyone else want to share?

Had my wisdom tooth removed yesterday, im just wondering when this tennis ball formally known as my cheeck is gona go down.. The procedure took no less than 10-15 mins but was agony for the rest of the day after the anistetic wore off... Stiil a little sore and the swollen area is sore but horrific looking and just down right uncomfortable...

I'll be needing a bottom wisdom tooth out soon. It was x-rayed about three years ago, hadn't come up yet but it was impacting, so the dentist took out the upper wisdom tooth to give it room to move. He did this rather than removing the bottom one, because it was too close to the nerve and the risk of damage was high.

I'm worried now because the tooth is coming up, but growing sideways towards my cheek. It can't really stay, but I'm so worried about the risk of nerve damage. Just wondering if anyone here suffered this and how difficult is it to live with?

JamesBond2010

How much will it cost to get my top right 3rd molar out..??
(i think i might be rotten)
is It just a normal extraction??(dentist just pulls it out the normal way) Tnx

Rockiemalt

Hello, I'm hopefully getting one of my wisdom teeth removed soon. It keeps getting infected but will be a bit of a job to remove as it's right by a nerve apprantely. Anyone know how long it takes to get an appointment in the dental hospital once your dentist refers you? Trying to decide whether to go private or public.

jo2509

Hey.
First post on boards.ie, had my wisdom teeth out last week and had been reading this thread beforehand so thought i would update with my experience.
Had all 4 teeth out under GA last week, was nowhere near as bad as i had feared. Obviously i was nervous about the procedure and the anasthaetic, but all was fine. Was given a hefty dose of morphine when i woke up, and some pretty strong painkillers to take home with me, so from that point of view all has been ok.
Just a point to note, i had no pain at all really until about 5 days post op, when i woke up to what felt like someone thumping my jaw with a lump hammer :eek:. Surgeon said the nerves may have been numb and were just getting back to normal.
RE the swelling and bruising, have been taking Difene, which is helping, and ice packs a few times a day.

So all in all, not too bad an experience at all... to be honest the worst part has been the sickness from taking the Difene and painkillers on an almost empty stomach.

Hope this is helpful for anyone else due to have their wisdom teeth out.

lollymc30

art wrote: »

I was just told today that I need to get my wisdom teeth out - knew there was something wrong really but, apparently, one in particular is impacting a molar and decay has formed there leading to a chronic infection..? I think that's what was said. Unfortunately, after some bad experiences with dentists in the past, I get all nervous and spend the whole time focusing on getting out of there and not really listening to what I'm being told I do know, though, that I've a card in my wallet for an oral surgeon who I've to arrange an consultation with ...

Anyways, these bleeding stories are just making me feel worse! Really don't want to get this stuff done at all ... wish they would just magic away!

i just got one of my wisdom teeth out yesterday and it was totally fine achy today but not bad, dont worry about it.

meganj

Had all four of my wisdom teeth out on Friday in Beacon Hospital, under Quinn health insurance. I have never had any sort of dental work before (no fillings, caps, crowns, extractions, braces) and as result was terrified.

Have to say I could not have been happier with the standard of care received in beacon. I was under the General Anaesthetic by about 1 o'clock and home by about 6.

Had very little pain on Saturday and as a result I fear I might have over done it with the food. Today my jaw has felt stiff and I now have a lovely shiny bruise on my left cheek (the OH has been getting filthy looks all day).

I'm sticking with the salt water mouth wash, antibiotics and pain meds. I must say that I was in more pain today then on Friday or Saturday, but that could also be because I'm trying to extend the pain killers from every four hours to every six.

Having spent the last hour looking up 'dry socket' I am now 100% convinced I have it :rolleyes: But that's what happens when your a hypochondriac with an internet connection.

I must say I found this thread an excellent help, much better then the horror stories I kept hearing off people about their 'friends' and dentists with 'knees on their chests' pulling out the teeth. My experience has been (presuming that I am being a hypochondriac about 'dry socket') a relatively mild one.

Best of luck to any and all facing an extraction.

lastlaugh

OK, so I had to get both top wisdom teeth removed about 10 years ago.

The first one went really well, dentist got a grip of the one on the left, proceeded to waggle the pliers about until I heard a crack, he pulled it out, I was laughing a good bit, it was an interesting experience and a big relief.

Few weeks later I had to get the right one out. Pretty much the same experience up until he started to pull the tooth. I never hear the root snap and the dentist started yanking it down.
I got pretty freaked out and started kicking my legs about. The dentist stopped, started giving out to me so I told him I never heard the root snap like the previous one. He got to work with the pliers again, really twisting it about full swing. Sure enough, the root snapped and it came out.

I was pretty traumatised after it and it took me a while to calm down.
Probably the worst sensation I have ever had, the feeling of a tooth being pulled directly out with the root still attached.

I can laugh about it now though :pac:

swanangel

So I found out yesterday I should have my four wisdom teeth removed...............................hello dental phobia, I haven't seen you in awhile!:eek:

Had terrible fear as child/teen but then found a lovely dentist, who I went to for months and months who helped me so much so for the last few years I have been still scared when I go but not terrified and now I can not believe I have to get this done ahhhhhh!!

On the plus side they are sedating me, whoop!! You people are so brave that get it done without sedation, well done!
Have been reading some of your comments but have not got through them all yet so forgive me if people have already said this but I am worried about my tongue being really numb when I wake up with all the anaesthetic ( numb tongue freaks me out - was a big part of my phobia) also they mentioned risk of being left with a numb face as a complication that happens to some people but I am living in 'it won't happen to me land'

Oh and just as an added bonus I'm a weird eater, so soup is not an option for me in the few days after when people say you can't eat as normal, I don't think my usual diet of cereal, burgers and chips will cut it....................damn wisdom teeth!:(

I will comment on the experience after it's all over!! Any advice welcome!:)

TK422

Got my two lower wisdom teeth removed two days ago, on Thursday. They were horizontal, but the top side had broken the gum so I think they were up quite a bit. So no risk of damaging nerves. I was asleep during the entire thing. Think they put me out about 11:30am ish and I was awake by 12:30pm, as I remember looking at the clock.

I had no pain at all, at first. Woke up with quiet a bit of gauze in my mouth to stop the bleeding. I was up walking pretty quickly after and was home by 2:30pm. My mouth was numb for most of Thursday and when I woke up yesterday it was slightly uncomfortable. I was given a prescription for codeine and diclofenac (over 70 tablets in total, bit excessive) but I haven't used any as the pain isn't bad, just irritating. I was given a 5 day dosage of antibiotics, one 3 times a day, and out of the interest of healing as fast as possible I am taking them.

I could easily eat food the day after and today but I have decided to remain on a more liquid diet in the hope that it will heal up quicker. And that I don't get this "Dry socket" ****; which really sounds like some urbandictionary sex reference to me.

All in all, not nearly as bad as the dentist or other people made out it would be. They had me fearing I'd be needing to take painkillers like there was no tomorrow. It's Saturday now, my jaw isn't bruised or swollen. The irritation is about the same as yesterday. I hope it will start to improve by tomorrow and I will likely try the auld solids on Monday.

On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate the pain as low as a 1 or 2. On the annoyance side it's up there but only because I'd love a steak right now...

corkandproud

Had my 4 out last Monday under GA. Tues and Wed were fine, no pain, no bruising, no swelling.

It's a different story since Thursday, I'm chewing the solpadol and difene. The pain actually woke me the last two nights. I suppose I'm more pissed off as I thought I was away on a hack, but anyway there's not much I can do. Ah well just have to get on with it - back to work tomorrow...

Oral Surgeon

corkandproud wrote: »

Had my 4 out last Monday under GA. Tues and Wed were fine, no pain, no bruising, no swelling.

It's a different story since Thursday, I'm chewing the solpadol and difene. The pain actually woke me the last two nights. I suppose I'm more pissed off as I thought I was away on a hack, but anyway there's not much I can do. Ah well just have to get on with it - back to work tomorrow...

Late onset of pain; possible infection or dry socket. Any new swelling or bad taste?? Best to go see the surgeon. If it is a dry socket- it will be irrigated and a dressing placed to ease the pain. If it is infected- strong antibiotics will be given.
Good luck,
Os

corkandproud

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Late onset of pain; possible infection or dry socket. Any new swelling or bad taste?? Best to go see the surgeon. If it is a dry socket- it will be irrigated and a dressing placed to ease the pain. If it is infected- strong antibiotics will be given.
Good luck,
Os

Exactly as you said OS. Rang consultant and the practice nurse said call out immediately. 2 dry sockets where the lower teeth, but no infection.

The answer is irrigation and a clove oil dressing. Now one dressing came out yesterday morning but I went back and she packed it again - and made me promise to come back again before the weekend if the pain came back.

As OS says, late onset pain is probably a dry socket so get back on to the consultant - I wasted four days in pain when it could have been fixed.

BTW, Can't recommend my consultant highly enough, Mairead Cashman if anyone based around Cork is having trouble. Mairead and the practice nurse Ger are excellent, I found them professional, efficient and very personable.