My wisdom tooth extraction experience

toothie

Hi scotch,

It really is a personal decision. I had one wisdom tooth out in the dentist's surgery and while it took quite a while and involved a lot of sawing, it wasn't so bad. I have to say though, it was worth the wait to get the other three done in hospital (under the NTPF). I didn't make this choice, my dentist referred me to a surgeon and a year and a half later, the NTPF contacted me. On the plus side, you don't remember anthing!

Big_G

Post removed.

Misticles

my bf has been told his wisdom is growing sideways. hes being referred to st james to have it removed.
cany someone tell me whats involved and a rough cost?
thanks

scotch

scotch wrote: »

Will being awake for the extractions be worth the €1200 saving?!

Yes, I'm squeamish. Had four out under local anesthetic. It was grand, didn't feel a thing.

Schlemm

Will a normal general practise dentist take out wisdom teeth if they're down or does an oral surgeon have to do all wisdom teeth extractions?

mik_da_man

I was at my dentist about 2 yrs ago with some pain in my bottom right rear most molar. He did some X-rays and it turns out that I have double wisdom teeth on the bottom :eek:.
I felt a bit awkward cause he was staring @ the x-ray for a while and calling the nurse over. He said he had heard of it but never seen it.
Anyway he removed the tooth saying it would help the wisdom teeth.

Now two years later my gum is a bit swollen and sore, and I think I may have to get the wisdom teeth taken out.
Now as I have double wisdom teeth I presume this will not be straightforward.
What do I have to look forward to???

Thanks

Mik

Schlemm

Schlemm wrote: »

Will a normal general practise dentist take out wisdom teeth if they're down or does an oral surgeon have to do all wisdom teeth extractions?

My dentist told me that a resposible dentist wouldn't because they are very near to a nerve that controls your tongue.

Big_G

Moonbaby wrote: »

My dentist told me that a resposible dentist wouldn't because they are very near to a nerve that controls your tongue.

This is an interesting illustration of how no two dentists will share an opinion on anything.

Each wisdom tooth differs in its proximity to the lingual nerve and to the inferior dental nerve. Every dentist should be trained to assess the likelihood of damage to the inferior dental nerve (the nerve that is more often damaged during wisdom tooth surgery), and every dentist should also be able to assess their own ability to successfully remove wisdom teeth.

To sum up, some can be taken out by a general dentist and some (most) need the expertise of an oral surgeon. However, I know several general dentists who routinely extract impacted wisdom teeth under local anaesthetic and/or with sedation.

G

damalo

Hi All,

I'm getting 3 of mine out the day after tomorrow. I had one taken out under local anesthetic a few months back as it had come out fully but had a bad cavity. It was bleeding for about a day and tender for 3 or 4 after but that was about it. Wednesday I'll be getting the general. My lower 2 are impacted and are going to cause the most pain i recon but with all the pain killers im hearing about it should be fine.

A friend of mine gave me arnica tablets to take the day before and during the days after the op. To reduce bruising..apparently all pro rugby players take them aswell so they wont look too f'd up after a game. Im hoping they do the trick. I'll update once im mended on how good they were.

Right now im more worried about the backless surgery gear you have to wear as oppose to the actual operation

lomb

Big_G wrote: »

This is an interesting illustration of how no two dentists will share an opinion on anything.

Each wisdom tooth differs in its proximity to the lingual nerve and to the inferior dental nerve. Every dentist should be trained to assess the likelihood of damage to the inferior dental nerve (the nerve that is more often damaged during wisdom tooth surgery), and every dentist should also be able to assess their own ability to successfully remove wisdom teeth.

To sum up, some can be taken out by a general dentist and some (most) need the expertise of an oral surgeon. However, I know several general dentists who routinely extract impacted wisdom teeth under local anaesthetic and/or with sedation.

G

indeed BIGG this is true, it has to be said the lingual nerve does not control the tongue it is sensory to the side of the tongue in terms of touch not taste. it is not irresponsible for a general dentist to take them out if he knows what he is doing. there are a few basic rules that one can write on the back of a postcard so as how to avoid damaging this or the other nerve.
the position of the lingual nerve is very very variable and runs within the soft tissue on the top or inside of the wisdom tooth area and can even be damaged by extraction of the lower second molar and sometimes even the first. the key rule when dividing wisdom teeth surgically is to not take the drill more than 3/4 through the tooth and cracking it physically to complete the division,so the drill never approaches the bone on the inside so it doesnt damage the nerve that runs on the outside. that and the cut with a scalpel to heavily flare towards the cheek to avoid the 'skin' on top of the tooth in the unlikely event it runs directly on top.

i only make this detailed explanation to show that it is not irresponsible either ethically or legally if you know basic anatomy and are experianced. deep
surgery is not for every dentist and most patients are served well by having it done under sedation or GA so as not to remember it then have a lifelong fear and so the dentist can concentrate on doing the best for the patient without having to 'look after' the patient. i hope this clarifies matters.

Big_G

lomb wrote: »

indeed BIGG this is true, it has to be said the lingual nerve does not control the tongue it is sensory to the side of the tongue in terms of touch not taste. it is not irresponsible for a general dentist to take them out if he knows what he is doing. there are a few basic rules that one can write on the back of a postcard so as how to avoid damaging this or the other nerve.
the position of the lingual nerve is very very variable and runs within the soft tissue on the top or inside of the wisdom tooth area and can even be damaged by extraction of the lower second molar and sometimes even the first. the key rule when dividing wisdom teeth surgically is to not take the drill more than 3/4 through the tooth and cracking it physically to complete the division,so the drill never approaches the bone on the inside so it doesnt damage the nerve that runs on the outside. that and the cut with a scalpel to heavily flare towards the cheek to avoid the 'skin' on top of the tooth in the unlikely event it runs directly on top.

i only make this detailed explanation to show that it is not irresponsible either ethically or legally if you know basic anatomy and are experianced. deep
surgery is not for every dentist and most patients are served well by having it done under sedation or GA so as not to remember it then have a lifelong fear and so the dentist can concentrate on doing the best for the patient without having to 'look after' the patient. i hope this clarifies matters.

Completely agree. I don't feel comfortable with my level of training and experience taking out impacted wisdom teeth, even ones that don't display proximity to the ID nerve. At the same time, I don't at all see it as irresponsible for a general dentist to perform this surgery with the appropriate level of knowledge/training/experience.

This is why I would think that the comment made by the other dentist could cause confusion, possibly of the litigious persuasion.

damalo

damalo wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm getting 3 of mine out the day after tomorrow. I had one taken out under local anesthetic a few months back as it had come out fully but had a bad cavity. It was bleeding for about a day and tender for 3 or 4 after but that was about it. Wednesday I'll be getting the general. My lower 2 are impacted and are going to cause the most pain i recon but with all the pain killers im hearing about it should be fine.

A friend of mine gave me arnica tablets to take the day before and during the days after the op. To reduce bruising..apparently all pro rugby players take them aswell so they wont look too f'd up after a game. Im hoping they do the trick. I'll update once im mended on how good they were.

Right now im more worried about the backless surgery gear you have to wear as oppose to the actual operation

An update on my progress:

Went in 6 days days ago to get my 3 remaining wisdom teeth removed. Operation took approx 20-30 mins with me being K.O for duration (thankfully). On my left side I had upper and lower teeth removed - virtually no swelling and pain over the past 6 days. The usual tenderness/bleeding however to be associated with having a tooth removed.

On my right side I had my lower wtooth removed. It was impacted and roots were in a hooked shape causing massive swelling and PAIN on extraction. I took arnica tablets coming up to the op and in the days after and these stopped any brusing. Right now my right side is still v tender but swelling has gone down alot (remember to ice it daily) yet my tongue remains numb on one side or feels like ive burnt it. This affects speech a bit but day by day its getting better. I've been able to start eating normally again (soup is your friend) and hope the numbness will go away in the next few days. It appears to be subsiding with the swelling in any case (which remains but isnt as noticeable from the outside)

In short...its not as bad an operation as I had thought but a serious one no doubt. Take your meds, arnica, ice and REST and you'll do 100%

Good luck (my shiny teeth)!

eimearos

damalo wrote: »

An update on my progress:

Went in 6 days days ago to get my 3 remaining wisdom teeth removed. Operation took approx 20-30 mins with me being K.O for duration (thankfully). On my left side I had upper and lower teeth removed - virtually no swelling and pain over the past 6 days. The usual tenderness/bleeding however to be associated with having a tooth removed.

On my right side I had my lower wtooth removed. It was impacted and roots were in a hooked shape causing massive swelling and PAIN on extraction. I took arnica tablets coming up to the op and in the days after and these stopped any brusing. Right now my right side is still v tender but swelling has gone down alot (remember to ice it daily) yet my tongue remains numb on one side or feels like ive burnt it. This affects speech a bit but day by day its getting better. I've been able to start eating normally again (soup is your friend) and hope the numbness will go away in the next few days. It appears to be subsiding with the swelling in any case (which remains but isnt as noticeable from the outside)

In short...its not as bad an operation as I had thought but a serious one no doubt. Take your meds, arnica, ice and REST and you'll do 100%

Good luck (my shiny teeth)!

helpppp!!!!
i will finally have to get my wisdom teeth out. i went to the dentist about 2 years ago & was told i had to get them out, never went back as i am petrified. the top 2 on the xray showed that they would grow down vertical, but the bottom two are growing horizontally impacted.
can someone please tell me their experience as i am hearing lots of different horror stories... also afraid of hospitals and anesthetics. was told i had to go to some hospital in wexford that specialise in it(cant remember the name).

brownboots

ok im not able for this.
im getting my 4 wisdom teeth out on 17th april.
Im not a good patient and would be nervous in hospitals.
ive never had an operation and am so afraid of being knocked out....
is it really gonna be bad? im sick thinkin of it...
how long will i be out of work for? will they break my other teeth by accident?
i hope i dont wake up with blood all over my mouth and feel some of my other teeth were knocked out in the process..... oh god!!!:eek:

death1234567

brownboots wrote: »

will they break my other teeth by accident?

Only if you piss them off .

brownboots

Ok I just heard of 2 people who had to get their jaw broken when getting out wisdom teeth….:eek:

Solarball10

oh god....broken jaws?! I just got braces, just upper though as ortho told me i gotta get my bottom 2 wisdom teeth removed before i can get lower braces I'm really nervous about it and I'm starting to wonder if its worth it...my bottom teeth aren't bad anyway it's just my upper that are v crooked...but if i did get it done, how much would the whole thing cost? (i don't have medical insurance)

murphaph

brownboots wrote: »

Ok I just heard of 2 people who had to get their jaw broken when getting out wisdom teeth….:eek:

You mean people have had their wisdom teeth knocked out while having their jaw broken?!

Emsey

Hi All,

I'm starting to panic about my wisdom teeth. I went to dentist last September for check-up and I had a feeling a lower wisdom tooth was coming up-dentist confirmed both bottom wisdom teeth were on the way and from xrays they were impacted. He said that if he removed them the pain would kill me and so was going to arrange an appointment with the oral surgeon in galway. I haven't heard anything as yet and to be honest I put off ringing dentist as I have been in college in Dublin on professional training course since September and it didn't suit and also I thought maybe I could get them removed in Dublin. I'm starting to worry now that by putting off the removal I could be damaging my other teeth but I have exmas coming up so its not a great time. Creachadoir and Damalo do you mind me asking is it the Galway Clinic that you went to? I'm wondering if its normal to be waiting this long for an appointment or maybe my dentist forgot to ring! Ant way sorry for rambling but any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Susannahmia

Hi all.:)

I got my two top wisdom teeth removed under local anesthetic yesterday. They were both through the gum but were too big for my mouth and were causing my jaw to lock etc. The whole experience wasnt even one tenth as bad as I thought it would be and was over within half an hour. I felt no pain and am just a little tender today.

The only thing that caused me any kind of discomfort was the sensation of the back of my mouth being numbed. It was hard to swallow and it felt harder to breath as it kind of felt swollen. I kind of panicked when it was first done because I thought my throat would close up or something.

As I said I thought the procedure was grand and quick, however the dental surgeon told me that my teeth in particular were horrendous to take out and took way longer than usual. My roots were splayed outwards in hooks that stretched wider than the top half of my teeth. He was doing a lot of pulling and tugging alright but for some reason I just found the whole thing hilarious:D

He warned me that I may have to get my bottom ones out in the future as they are impacted and still under the gum, I have a feeling that that procedure wont be as easy.

Lulabelle

Hi all,

Got all 4 of my wisdom teeth out this morning under general anaesthetic. First time under it and was terrified. Woke up feelin like I'd had a great sleep and haven't slept all day, not tired at all, very weird.

Some small pain but was prescribed painkillers for that, antibiotics in case of infection and steroids to reduce swelling. Stitches feel a bit weird and just wanna eat normal food but so far so good. Face isn't swollen AT all, altho some say it might be 2mrw.

Bit of advice, start taking Arnica tablets a few days before and after the op. It's meant to reduce swelling and so far, no swelling to write home about. Will let u know tomorrow if I wanna take that back haha!!

Susannahmia

Lulabelle wrote: »

Hi all,


Bit of advice, start taking Arnica tablets a few days before and after the op. It's meant to reduce swelling and so far, no swelling to write home about. Will let u know tomorrow if I wanna take that back haha!!

I took arnica too and had no swelling either.:)

Anna23

I had one take out yday morning, in the dentist so he still has to take out 2 more but he said that the bottom one requires surgery does anyone know how much it costs as i am not covered by VHI, i used to but canx about 1 year ago as to be totally honest it was a waist of money on plan B, NO DENTAL COVER and i was checking to see how much it would be to cover dental work and they only pay 70% of the cost of the surgery so to be honest I rather pay cash then have to go though VHI and claim in case I reregister again!

gboard

Just posted my experience at another thread ...
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055276271

Amzie

Heya all,
getting four of my wisdom teeth out friday! not looking forward to it! never been in hospital before! Really scared bout the anasthetic!!!:eek:
Reading these stories is making me worse!! Do ya definitely have to get an injection or cud i just get the gas? cos I really hate em:(

aswell I didnt get a consultancy for this do you think the doc will see me before the op?sorry if this is a stupid question but i havent a clue bout this!

Can anyone tell me where I can get these arnica tabs?? they sound gud!I dont fancy gettin all bruised so if they help that wud be gr8!!!

Any Help, realy appreciate it:o
Thanks.

gboard

Amzie wrote: »

Really scared bout the anasthetic!!!:eek:
Reading these stories is making me worse!! Do ya definitely have to get an injection or cud i just get the gas? cos I really hate em:(
.

General anaesthesic was straightforward for me. A doctor injected something from my left hand made me immediately go to sleep. The only thing I felt was a little bit cool. Then after I waked up in an hour, everything had been done and I had been disptached back to the ward.

Whether using general anaesthesia depends on your wisdom teeth positions. From X-Ray picture it should be quite clear that if the tooth is impacted or not. One of my colleagues got his removed only with local anaesthesia as his was upright. It took him only 2 days before totally recovery.

Amzie

gboard wrote: »

General anaesthesic was straightforward for me. A doctor injected something from my left hand made me immediately go to sleep. The only thing I felt was a little bit cool. Then after I waked up in an hour, everything had been done and I had been disptached back to the ward.

Whether using general anaesthesia depends on your wisdom teeth positions. From X-Ray picture it should be quite clear that if the tooth is impacted or not. One of my colleagues got his removed only with local anaesthesia as his was upright. It took him only 2 days before totally recovery.

Ah okay that dosent sound too bad!! ive got 3 impacted teeth and one that is already up so id say i need the anasthetic!:(
oh well!
Thanks for the advice though! hopefully it will all be grand!:)

gboard

Does anyone know how long the blood clot will stay on the gum ? I have done the surgery 16 days. The blood clot is still there.

Amzie

Hey all!
had the four of my wisdom teeth out 2days ago!!
by the way Gboard the Anesthetic was grand didnt hurt atal that was the part I was dreading the most!! just after the op Its very sore and still is! I have no bruising though so I'd say the Arnica tabs worked a treat:)

Im washing my mouth with warm salty water and oraldine aswell cos the salt water dosent seem to make it feel any cleaner! is it okay to be using that aswell? and any Idea when the swelling shud come down because I look Ridiculous!!!????:(

MariaWasTaken

I have a consult about my wisdom teeth coming up soon.
I am not sure if they will pull them then or just get my medical history. I am a little scared about the whole thing. We all turn into children in the dentist's chair