Extraction of non-problematic wisdom teeth

Gael23

My two bottom wisdom teeth need to be removed. However the top ones have developed fairly normally, the Oral Surgeon wants to remove these as well because she says it will affect my bite and they will almost certainly cause problems in the future so it's better to have them all removed at the same time.

I understand her point but on the other hand it feels like I'm losing 2 perfectly normal teeth. Am I being stupid thinking like this and I should just do what she says?

Oral Surgeon

ryanf1 wrote: »

My two bottom wisdom teeth need to be removed. However the top ones have developed fairly normally, the Oral Surgeon wants to remove these as well because she says it will affect my bite and they will almost certainly cause problems in the future so it's better to have them all removed at the same time.

I understand her point but on the other hand it feels like I'm losing 2 perfectly normal teeth. Am I being stupid thinking like this and I should just do what she says?

I always give my younger patients the option of removing the upper wisdom teeth if I think that they will become a nuisance in the future.

By nuisance I mean;
difficult to keep clean causing decay or inflammation,
possible over eruption of these teeth (if they are non functional and don't contact any other teeth) this may lead to biting of the cheek or gum below the upper wisdom teeth…

I agree that some patients don't want to remove teeth that are not causing obvious problems but for me teeth have 2 functions, smiling teeth and biting teeth. Generally upper wisdom teeth do neither and often lead to minor issues in time…. there are exceptions…..

Its up to you but your oral surgeon is obliged to give you all treatment options….

Gael23

I think she just wants to eliminate that risk of future problems.
A bit of me feels that I shouldn't be losing teeth unless really needed as a young adult unless really needed but on the other hand I'm dreading even getting the 2 problem ones out, the horror stories have gotten the better of me, and my pain threshold isn't huge! So getting them all out at one means I only have to go through it once.
My last experience of surgery wasnt a positive one and I have memories coming back to me that are best forgotten so I guess that's naturally adding to my worries about it too.

Oral Surgeon

ryanf1 wrote: »

I think she just wants to eliminate that risk of future problems.
A bit of me feels that I shouldn't be losing teeth unless really needed as a young adult unless really needed but on the other hand I'm dreading even getting the 2 problem ones out, the horror stories have gotten the better of me, and my pain threshold isn't huge! So getting them all out at one means I only have to go through it once.
My last experience of surgery wasnt a positive one and I have memories coming back to me that are best forgotten so I guess that's naturally adding to my worries about it too.

Your concerns are valid but in my experience having treatment in one go usually is best
You have one GA or IV sedation, one episode of swelling and discomfort, one period off work/ college, one period on medication and soft food….
Though you may be busy now, usually you will be busier in future and having more treatment will be an inconvenience….
I speak from experience, I had both lower wisdoms out as a student and now have occasional discomfort from an over erupted upper wisdom tooth biting on the lower gum… It is infinitely more inconvenient getting the time to sort this out now….

bureau2009

I think if it were me I would not get the upper teeth removed at this time.

I would discuss the issues around them with the dentist. However, I would be minded to wait and see how things develop.

If the upper teeth actually become a nuisance in the future then you can review your situation and have them removed if that is warranted.

Dianthus

bureau2009 wrote: »

I think if it were me I would not get the upper teeth removed at this time.
I would discuss the issues around them with the dentist. However, I would be minded to wait and see how things develop.
If the upper teeth actually become a nuisance in the future then you can review your situation and have them removed if that is warranted.

In this case, be prepared for the possibility that you may be putting your (functioning) upper second molars at risk of decay or bone loss. Not many patients floss daily, fewer still floss around a wisdom tooth as it can be very difficult to access. So instead of losing 1 useless tooth now, in the future you could end up losing 2, the useless one& the useful one next to it....
On a practical level, removing a non-functioning unopposed upper wisdom (third molar) tooth allows you to clean more effectively around the adjacent upper second molar, & preserve this functional second molar tooth longterm.
Your oral surgeon has extensive experience, trust their advice or seek a second- specialist, not Internet- opinion

Lia_lia

Hey OP. I had my bottom wisdom teeth out about 4 or 5 years ago. They were both impacted and had to come out. Didn't get the upper ones out.

Eventually had to get one of the upper ones out this year as it had a massive cavity. And I am pretty strict with oral hygiene! My dentist says he very often pulls the upper wisdom teeth as the are very hard to clean and just end up needing a filling. Might as well just get them all out!

Gael23

Lia_lia wrote: »

Hey OP. I had my bottom wisdom teeth out about 4 or 5 years ago. They were both impacted and had to come out. Didn't get the upper ones out.

Eventually had to get one of the upper ones out this year as it had a massive cavity. And I am pretty strict with oral hygiene! My dentist says he very often pulls the upper wisdom teeth as the are very hard to clean and just end up needing a filling. Might as well just get them all out!

Well its booked for all 4 but I had an experience which although not really comparable, was absolutely horrendous. After that, I swore I would never again have another General Anaesthetic. I guess when you've had a bad experience it makes you nervous and I just though if I only got the bottom 2 out its half the surgery time, only 2 wounds in my mouth instead of 4, and so on.
And I don't tolerate pain or not being able to eat my meals very well so dreading that too but I know I need to just go for it.

Lia_lia

I didn't get general anaesthetic or sedation or anything. Surely you don't need GA to get wisdom teeth out? Especially if the two top ones are normal?

Gael23

Lia_lia wrote: »

I didn't get general anaesthetic or sedation or anything. Surely you need GA to get wisdom teeth out? Especially if the two top ones are normal?

The bottom 2 are horizontal in the gum so she will have to cut into the gum a little. I would only need a local if it was the top ones, and my regular dentist could take this out, but not the impacted ones.

Lia_lia

^ So were mine! They had to be broken before they were removed. Maybe see if you can get it done while awake? If you don't want to get general anaesthetic..

Isabellebrown

Best to remove both the upper wisdom teeth too as,If you will not remove them they may arise problem like biting the lower gums and also they can give you cavities if not took care properly. Dentist,which I use to take help suggested me to remove as earlier as I can otherwise they might be as like burden in future.

Gael23

Was done yesterday morning