Wisdom tooth-Should it stay or should it go?

Montschlag

So, my lower left third molar has been giving me some pain for the past few months. The pain is usually not severe and is more like a dull ache but has become quite a nuisance. Also , the pain seems to come and go (I'll have pain for a week, then not too much for a week). I have been to the dentist and they said that the tooth appears to be coming in straight and is not impacting but it may be better to have it removed if it is causing pain . This requires an oral surgeon, a chauffeur, and a hefty fee.

My question is: A)In my situation , is extraction really necessary? What would constitute "normal" pain for a wisdom tooth breaking in? Is it normal to have pain that lasts for several months? I may be willing to put up with some pain for a bit longer to save a few hundred bucks as money is tight right now. Oh, and in case it wasn't obvious, I'm not good at making judgement calls when it comes to choices like this!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

If its goes there will be trouble....if it stays there will be double..........

Oral Surgeon

How old are you OP?

Montschlag wrote: »

So, my lower left third molar has been giving me some pain for the past few months. The pain is usually not severe and is more like a dull ache but has become quite a nuisance. Also , the pain seems to come and go (I'll have pain for a week, then not too much for a week). I have been to the dentist and they said that the tooth appears to be coming in straight and is not impacting but it may be better to have it removed if it is causing pain . This requires an oral surgeon, a chauffeur, and a hefty fee.

My question is: A)In my situation , is extraction really necessary? What would constitute "normal" pain for a wisdom tooth breaking in? Is it normal to have pain that lasts for several months? I may be willing to put up with some pain for a bit longer to save a few hundred bucks as money is tight right now. Oh, and in case it wasn't obvious, I'm not good at making judgement calls when it comes to choices like this!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Montschlag

I'm 30 years young.

Oral Surgeon

Montschlag wrote: »

I'm 30 years young.

Ok, so the tooth is not coming in, you are too old for that.... The tooth is sore because it is either impacted and there is pain and infection because you can't clean it or because it is decayed..... You need to look at getting it removed as it is likely to continue to cause problems long term.....
Good luck,
Os

Montschlag

Really? How can you tell? It only started erupting last year. I have two other wisdom teeth. One of them is partially erupted.
Do they stop erupting at a certain age?

(and thanks for the advice!)

ED E

Had trouble with mine. Got the four out. No post procedure pain, best decision I ever made.

Oral Surgeon

Montschlag wrote: »

Really? How can you tell? It only started erupting last year. I have two other wisdom teeth. One of them is partially erupted.
Do they stop erupting at a certain age?

(and thanks for the advice!)

With very few exceptions, wisdom teeth generally erupt at the age of 18-21 years. Some earlier and some a little later but most would accept that a wisdom tooth is now going to erupt fully at the age of 30.
Most likely the tooth has now moved significantly in the past year or so but that you have become more aware of it as you have experienced the pain of "pericoronitis" with it. Sometimes a few bouts of this infection will drop the gum level around the buried tooth and allow you to see more of it but really it hasn't moved.....

Consider getting it out....