Wisdom Teeth - not causing bother but dentist suggested removal.

SpaceTime

I'm in my late 20s and my new dentist suggested getting my wisdom teeth out as he thinks my bite is a bit strange at the back and they're erupted but slightly impacted.

I've never had any issue with them or with the bite and they've been fully up for about 8 years.
He was also saying they could cause a hygiene issue but, I can clean them perfectly with an electric toothbrush and I've no gum disease, no cavities, no plaque. They're just a bit crooked.

My teeth aren't over crowded just tight together and I'm very happy with them.

I'm not very keen on the idea of removing wisdom teeth and I've also had complex ear surgery which resulted in my jaw locking up but its now fully recovered. I don't fancy doing anything to upset the nerves in that area again if at all avoidable.

I'm also not happy about the possible risks to nerves and the panoramic x ray shows I've huge roots (dentist commented on them).

I'm going to ignore his extraction advice.

Think that's reasonable?

ballsymchugh

it's an informed decision. you seemed to have weighed up the pros and cons and you can't be forced to go down any path you're not happy with.
no one here could really comment on the exact situation without seeing them with the x ray though.
what did your old dentist think??

SpaceTime

Old dentist just modified the cusps slightly and said they'd be fine.

I think I might need to go dentist hunting again. This guy did a good job and came with high recommendations but I'm not happy with him.

Previous guy retired.

Main reason I was unhappy was that I felt the place wasn't clean enough. There was a strange smell like sour dish cloths, he didn't wear a mask or offer me goggles like my previous guy and there were no plastic covers on everything. Previous guy had covers on all the surfaces he was touching which where disposed of.

It just felt very clean and safe. This guy's place seemed a bit grubby.

All he did was a touch up on a bit of bonding on front tooth and an xray.

Would it be reasonable to ask for that x-ray if I'm changing practice? I'm not keen on having to do it again just to spare his feelings. Ionising radiation is something I like to use sparingly!

It's just an old-fashioned non digital panoramic film X-Ray.

ballsymchugh

you've probably had way more exposure to radiation in the sunshine over the past few weeks than in that radiograph, although he should give you a copy if you ask nicely.
as for the cross infection thing, i don't use plastic covers. every surface gets wiped with alcohol between patients. a lot of stuff is single use only and everything else goes through a 3 step sterilisation process. the NHS and CQC are happy with that.
although i don't know about the smell (there's a pizza shop downstairs and over a bit from where i work, so my place just makes me hungry). as for the mask, i don't know anyone else that doesn't wear one. even just to hide snots up his nose..
vote with your feet if you're not happy anyway.

SpaceTime

It was just a very unpleasant smell coming from the surface of the chair from what I could gather. It was a bit too late by the time I noticed it to make big deal but yeah, I think I'll vote with my feet this time.

I think maybe my previous guy just had very high standards.

Very well put together clinic. Everything just looked spick and span. Equipment was also a lot newer and higher tech and had more like a high tech hospital feel to it.

Might see what his replacement is like.