My wisdom tooth extraction experience

Mick55 · 18-03-2015 10:09am

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

It is an unerupted lower wisdom tooth. If it needs to be removed, it is "surgery" as it involves cutting the gum, drilling the bone, cutting the tooth into pieces and then cleaning and stitching the area. Having it done under LA, IV sedation or GA does not change the fact that it is a minor surgery....

It could be done under LA if you are not particularity nervous about it.

Does it need removal??

Thanks, I should have been more direct with my question. I was wondering can that kind of impaction be taken out under LA or does it have to be GA. Personally I hope I get referred for GA as I'm not great with dentists! Going public so should have bit of a wait. I'd imagine it does need to be removed from the looks of it, the other side there is a partially erupted tooth that is impacted that is getting infected regularly. That definitely needs to be removed so I'd imagine they would do the two.

magicmushroom · 18-03-2015 10:11am

eeguy wrote: »

I've no insurance and needed a lower wisdom tooth out. Got a quote for 250e in the ROI so I headed north to Newry where I was quoted "nno more than £100".

I was in and out in 30 mins. No pain whatsoever. Quick x rays and the dentist popped the tooth right out. There's am awful cracking and grinding sound but it was over quickly.

Cost £92 in the end and even with the awful exchange rate and petrol it was still half the price of getting it done near home.
I was swollen for about 3 days but I stocked up on nurofen when I was up there ( again half the price) so I was a- ok and only needed to take that day off work.

eeguy I sent you a PM there, I'd be really interested in the name of where you went in Newry if you don't mind as it could potentially save me a fortune!

Micky Dolenz · 18-03-2015 11:24am

eeguy wrote: »

I've no insurance and needed a lower wisdom tooth out. Got a quote for 250e in the ROI so I headed north to Newry where I was quoted "nno more than £100".

I was in and out in 30 mins. No pain whatsoever. Quick x rays and the dentist popped the tooth right out. There's am awful cracking and grinding sound but it was over quickly.

Cost £92 in the end and even with the awful exchange rate and petrol it was still half the price of getting it done near home.
I was swollen for about 3 days but I stocked up on nurofen when I was up there ( again half the price) so I was a- ok and only needed to take that day off work.

In Rome,I had one wisdom tooth and a touching molar removed, it cost €750. No General and it took about 40 minutes. Crazy money really. I shopped around and most places were similar But I trust the Doc.

I did get a quite from another dentist and it was less than half of the above. Went to his place and it was old and shoody.

Might book a mid week trip to NI the next time I need work. Dental treatment and pints. Win win

magicmushroom · 18-03-2015 1:12pm

FYI

I just called a place in Newry and they quoted me the following:

Consultation £32
X-ray £38
Upper Wisdom Extraction £55-£80
Lower Wisdom Extraction £80-120
Optional GA £85.00

So if I have all 4 out at the top price quoted for each tooth it will cost approx €650 without GA and €770 with GA
Obviously this depends on the exchange rate at the time of getting the work done.

Some difference to the €1085 I have been quoted here without GA...I'll need to work out if this will be worth it with travel costs etc but for those of you that aren't too far from the border and don't have insurance, it might be worth checking out places in Newry.

If anyone wants the name of the place I got these quotes, just PM me.

Oral Surgeon · 18-03-2015 4:43pm

magicmushroom wrote: »

FYI

I just called a place in Newry and they quoted me the following:

Consultation £32
X-ray £38
Upper Wisdom Extraction £55-£80
Lower Wisdom Extraction £80-120
Optional GA £85.00

So if I have all 4 out at the top price quoted for each tooth it will cost approx €650 without GA and €770 with GA
Obviously this depends on the exchange rate at the time of getting the work done.

Some difference to the €1085 I have been quoted here without GA...I'll need to work out if this will be worth it with travel costs etc but for those of you that aren't too far from the border and don't have insurance, it might be worth checking out places in Newry.

If anyone wants the name of the place I got these quotes, just PM me.

I would seriously doubt that you are having a GA for £85 without insurance. Is this in a private hospital?? No one is allowed to preform GA outside of a hospital setting so I would imagine that it is IV sedation that was proposed.

€770 for all 4 wisdoms under IV sedation is not a million miles from what I and others would charge for that treatment.
You have to factor in how far from the clinic you are. IS it a separate consultation and surgical visit so 2 return trips there. Maybe a trip back to deal with a post op issue?? You'd pay as much in diesel as you'd save imo....

magicmushroom · 18-03-2015 4:53pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

I would seriously doubt that you are having a GA for £85 without insurance. Is this in a private hospital?? No one is allowed to preform GA outside of a hospital setting so I would imagine that it is IV sedation that was proposed.

€770 for all 4 wisdoms under IV sedation is not a million miles from what I and others would charge for that treatment.
You have to factor in how far from the clinic you are. IS it a separate consultation and surgical visit so 2 return trips there. Maybe a trip back to deal with a post op issue?? You'd pay as much in diesel as you'd save imo....

Oh maybe I misunderstood her and she meant IV instead of GA.

As I said in my post, for people close to the border this might be a better option. Obviously if you're driving from Dublin, it may not be as cost effective.

I have been quoted €1135 for 4 wisdom teeth out including X-Ray and Consultation in Louth. To get something from the dentist 'to help me relax' is more (no price given yet so can't compare and I don't know what that will be, I assume IV as well maybe?)

The above would give me a saving of €365 and that's before I am charged for the 'relaxer' from the ROI dentist. As I'm not too far from Newry, it would be cost effective for me to go.

Oral Surgeon · 18-03-2015 4:59pm

magicmushroom wrote: »

Oh maybe I misunderstood her and she meant IV instead of GA.

As I said in my post, for people close to the border this might be a better option. Obviously if you're driving from Dublin, it may not be as cost effective.

I have been quoted €1135 for 4 wisdom teeth out including X-Ray and Consultation in Louth. To get something from the dentist 'to help me relax' is more (no price given yet so can't compare and I don't know what that will be, I assume IV as well maybe?)

The above would give me a saving of €365 and that's before I am charged for the 'relaxer' from the ROI dentist. As I'm not too far from Newry, it would be cost effective for me to go.

Ok but just for a balanced view, you need to compare like with like.
€1135 is on the high side in the ROI and €770 is on the low side even for NI so the saving will not always be €365 for everyone.

Also is it an oral surgeon specialist in both clinics or are you comparing a specialist treatment and cost to a non specialist??

magicmushroom · 18-03-2015 5:26pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Ok but just for a balanced view, you need to compare like with like.
€1135 is on the high side in the ROI and €770 is on the low side even for NI so the saving will not always be €365 for everyone.

Also is it an oral surgeon specialist in both clinics or are you comparing a specialist treatment and cost to a non specialist??

Both are under oral surgeons - I didn't realise that €1135 was on the high side, I thought that might be the norm so I just accepted it.
I'll have a look around closer to home before I venture up North, thanks for the advice

Laurel_Patente · 22-03-2015 3:17pm

I first developed a problem with my wisdom tooth in August 2014. Started getting a pain in my lower right molar and couldn't take anything with sugar in it or would end up in absolute agony. Because of the position in my mouth, half of it was under the jaw and the other half was exposed, so was in a terrible position for food particles gathering in it. So at this stage had two options; get it removed privately or go on the HSE waiting list. Not having enough money and hearing horror stories about the cost, I opted for the waiting list, and in the meantime I just had to keep it rinsed out with salt water after every meal.

So that was grand and after a few dodgy days it didn't give me too much trouble until a week or so ago when it started throbbing badly and I had to go back to the dentist. At this stage the decay had become worse and he advised me in no uncertain terms that it was pressing into my nerve and to get it out as quickly as possible. The cost for the X-Ray and the check up on that day came to a total of €86.

I was referred to an Oral Surgeon in Donegal Town who would take it out at a cost of €300. It seemed a lot but by then I was in daily pain and tbh I would have paid anything to get it done! I had the procedure done last Wednesday under local anastethic(it's now Sunday) and whilst it was painful at the time (from pressure, not toothache) it was such a relief to get it out eventually. I was given a course of antibiotics and painkillers and advised to take Solphadeine, which I did on the first day and was fairly zonked out of it!

Since then, I haven't had to take anything except the antibiotics and have generally just tried to relax and let it heal. Have been using the Corsodyl mouthwash which was prescribed to me as well. Still paranoid about dry socket but overall very little pain and have had a week of unbroken sleep which has been heaven!

Overall, I would say if your choice is between private and HSE waiting list, and you are in pain, go private. I was on the waiting list for 8 months, granted not in too much pain for a lot of it, but God knows when my appointment would have come around. The relief is palpable and the care I received in the Oral Surgery was second to none, I have almost zero swelling so she must have done a great job. I'm not sure what the rules are for naming dentists/clinics but if anyone wants to message me I can tell them the names of who I went to and would highly recommend them.

cruiser202006 · 19-04-2015 9:55pm

Having to get 4 wisdom teeth out and an adjoining tooth out under GA. should I prepare myself for alot of pain!!!?

Oral Surgeon · 20-04-2015 6:42am

cruiser202006 wrote: »

Having to get 4 wisdom teeth out and an adjoining tooth out under GA. should I prepare myself for alot of pain!!!?

No you should not have much pain..
The procedure will be painless and the aftermath should be fine once you have and take regular pain meds.... Talk to your oral surgeon about exactly how and when to take the pain meds...

cruiser202006 · 26-04-2015 3:41pm

Got a date for late May! Would there likely to be much swelling?! Anything to affect going on a sun holiday a week and a half after?!

boydkev · 08-05-2015 7:40am

Just had all 4 wisdom teeth removed on Tuesday, Bottom 2 were impacted and one of the top ones had decay so it was decided to remove all in one go under GA, In the Mater Private in cork.
I was very nervous going in for it, Had to be sedated, But it was over in a flash, but had to be held for a longer period after the surgery as the blocker effected one of my eyes from closing properly but nothing to worry about. The pain after is not as bad as i thought and very manageable with the painkillers. Hopefully i will be able to have some solid food over the weekend.

CookieMonster.x · 10-05-2015 12:10pm

I'm getting my wisdom teeth out by surgery (I think) as one is definitely impacted/side ways. I'm waiting on my appointment but I was wondering how long it usually takes to for swelling etc to go down and get back to normal? And how long before you can eat properly?

Gael23 · 10-05-2015 10:57pm

CookieMonster.x wrote: »

I'm getting my wisdom teeth out by surgery (I think) as one is definitely impacted/side ways. I'm waiting on my appointment but I was wondering how long it usually takes to for swelling etc to go down and get back to normal? And how long before you can eat properly?

Theres no real answer to your question on the swelling and bruising as its different for everyone, I would expect within a week but there really is no set time because its a reaction of your own body. I was swollen for a couple of days but had very little bruising at all and I had 2 impacted teeth.
Again, eating depends on your own bodys recovery. For me it was 5 days before I was back eating close to normal. Up to then I was eating soup, yoghurts and creamy mashed potato (almost like baby food).

boydkev · 11-05-2015 8:05am

CookieMonster.x wrote: »

I'm getting my wisdom teeth out by surgery (I think) as one is definitely impacted/side ways. I'm waiting on my appointment but I was wondering how long it usually takes to for swelling etc to go down and get back to normal? And how long before you can eat properly?

I have to agree with Gael23, i think it is different for everybody, It has been 5 days since i hand the teeth removed, I had slight swelling and no Brusing but stubble is covering it if there is. I am still on Painkillers and anti-Inflammatory tablets. Only problem i am having is where the stitches are in my gums where i have pain but hopefully this will go away once the stitches start dissolving/falling out. I have been eating mainly porridge/soup/creamed rice/Mash/custard/jelly/Ice-Cream and have also started on pasta. But have also been eating other things but attempting to chew with the front of my mouth.

Gael23 · 11-05-2015 10:55pm

boydkev wrote: »

. I am still on Painkillers and anti-Inflammatory tablets. Only problem i am having is where the stitches are in my gums where i have pain but hopefully this will go away once the stitches start dissolving/falling out. I have been eating mainly porridge/soup/creamed rice/Mash/custard/jelly/Ice-Cream and have also started on pasta. But have also been eating other things but attempting to chew with the front of my mouth.

I reduced the dosage of medication after about that long. I was starting to get better but I only had so many tablets and I wanted to stay on them for a few more days so I took less each day. The stitches will annoy you for a while, they will fall out eventually. You really must eat on the painkillers, the consequences are just not worth it.
Also something I never mentioned thats vital is to fine your mouth with mouthwash every time you eat, so thats 3-4 times a day or so.

Micky Dolenz · 12-05-2015 9:01am

I used a syringe to flush out food. The stitches, for me, were the most irritating part of it and even at that, it wasn't too bad.

willmunny1990 · 12-05-2015 10:26am

Im still waiting to get mine done, im getting them done publicly.

I had a consultation in Jan and I was told id be waiting around two months before id be called to get them out, have not heard a thing since, after being told 2 months im in my fourth month of waiting now, is this normal?

tharmor · 13-05-2015 5:47pm

Can anyone advise what are the costs related to removing wisdom teeth...i have swelling on my gums and looks like a wisdom teeth...does health insurance cover any costs ? Do i need to start with my GP ? Thanks

Gael23 · 13-05-2015 7:08pm

willmunny1990 wrote: »

Im still waiting to get mine done, im getting them done publicly.

I had a consultation in Jan and I was told id be waiting around two months before id be called to get them out, have not heard a thing since, after being told 2 months im in my fourth month of waiting now, is this normal?

Yes I would think so to be honest. If you ask your dentist they should be able to give you a better idea of the waiting time. I have health insurance so was seen fairly quickly.

tharmor wrote: »

Can anyone advise what are the costs related to removing wisdom teeth...i have swelling on my gums and looks like a wisdom teeth...does health insurance cover any costs ? Do i need to start with my GP ? Thanks

What costs your health insurance will cover depends on what policy you have and is quite variable,but yes it should go a long way towards it. You start with your regular Dentist and take it from there.

boydkev · 18-05-2015 7:28am

I had my wisdom teeth removed nearly 2 weeks ago and i have a query for people who have had it done. Did your surgeon do a follow up with you and if they did how long after the surgery did they see you as i have had no contact from them. I thought this would have been good practice after a surgery.

timetogo · 18-05-2015 9:16am

boydkev wrote: »

I had my wisdom teeth removed nearly 2 weeks ago and i have a query for people who have had it done. Did your surgeon do a follow up with you and if they did how long after the surgery did they see you as i have had no contact from them. I thought this would have been good practice after a surgery.

Yeah, I had to make an appointment about 1 - 2 weeks after the op. I had stitches though. They were meant to be dissolvable but when I went in they were dissolving too slowly (I think) and she pulled them out (sounds worse than it actually was).

Laurel_Patente · 18-05-2015 9:42am

boydkev wrote: »

I had my wisdom teeth removed nearly 2 weeks ago and i have a query for people who have had it done. Did your surgeon do a follow up with you and if they did how long after the surgery did they see you as i have had no contact from them. I thought this would have been good practice after a surgery.

My surgeon arranged for a follow up consultation a week after but I had no complications or pain really so we didn't bother going through with it.

cruiser202006 · 28-05-2015 12:50pm

Got 4 wisdom teeth out yesterday and a 2nd molar and can honestly say it cudnt have went better. Was up dressed and walkin around after an hour and no pain. Small bit of swelling today but nothin major. Don't know what I was worried about!

willmunny1990 · 08-06-2015 10:41pm

Got a call today out of nowhere to get mine out, tomorrow at 11 in Cork.

Short notice but they had a cancellation and offered me the place.

Only problem is my birthday is this friday, was hoping and looking forward to going out this Saturday for it but I'll hardly be able now, any chance at all of recovering enough in time? or am I out of luck.

Laurel_Patente · 10-06-2015 12:28pm

willmunny1990 wrote: »

Got a call today out of nowhere to get mine out, tomorrow at 11 in Cork.

Short notice but they had a cancellation and offered me the place.

Only problem is my birthday is this friday, was hoping and looking forward to going out this Saturday for it but I'll hardly be able now, any chance at all of recovering enough in time? or am I out of luck.

How many are ya getting out? If it is just one and you don't need much pain relief you will be ok, but if you are still hopped up on painkillers and antibiotics I wouldn't recommend it.

willmunny1990 · 10-06-2015 6:29pm

Laurel_Patente wrote: »

How many are ya getting out? If it is just one and you don't need much pain relief you will be ok, but if you are still hopped up on painkillers and antibiotics I wouldn't recommend it.

I just got the one out.

no pain at the moment, although i am taking solpadol at the moment, it just feels a bit odd, its hard to describe. I ate a dinner today no problems.

I feel i could nearly get back to my normal eating habits but am still a bit concerned about dry socket, can't that happen a few days after the tooth was pulled?

Laurel_Patente · 10-06-2015 6:36pm

willmunny1990 wrote: »

I just got the one out.

no pain at the moment, although i am taking solpadol at the moment, it just feels a bit odd, its hard to describe. I ate a dinner today no problems.

I feel i could nearly get back to my normal eating habits but am still a bit concerned about dry socket, can't that happen a few days after the tooth was pulled?

Yep it can you are most at risk within the first 72 hours. As long as you follow the post operative instructions given to you by your dentist (Not smoking, not rinsing on the first day for fear of displacing it, avoiding hot or cold foods) you should greatly reduce your chances of getting it. I was wild paranoid about getting it but took those steps and I was grand.

Sure look, you know your own body and pain threshold but it sounds as if you are getting out of it fairly ok so weekend pints could be an option yet!

Gael23 · 10-06-2015 6:42pm

I found the Solpadol really tough on my stomach, after a few days my pharmacist gave me Solpadiene which have less codeine in them.

the_monkey · 10-06-2015 6:45pm

I'm terrified of Dentists and haven't been in 15 years.

I take good care of my teeth though, but just have this fear of going and
them telling me I need this and that done for 20k ....

willmunny1990 · 11-06-2015 1:10pm

im finding the solpadol fine on the stomach although im taking them just before or after food.

All in all the whole thing wasn't a bad experience at all really, the only pain i had was coming home in the car and that went after i took my first round of pain killers.

Laurel_Patente · 03-07-2015 2:56pm

Got my lower one on the left hand side taken out in March this year but dentist said that my top right one will have to come out sooner rather than later.

It isn't impacted so he could do it in there but will still cost a good bit.

I'm just wondering, when does your medical card entitlement to your two fillings kick in again if you have had fillings done in the past 12 months?

For example, I had two fillings done last August (2014) for free on the card, by the time August 2015 rolls around will I be entitled to 2 fillings again? I'm asking this as I know if I go to get the wisdom tooth out he's going to ask me to get fillings done at the same time...

Oral Surgeon · 03-07-2015 3:19pm

Laurel_Patente wrote: »

Got my lower one on the left hand side taken out in March this year but dentist said that my top right one will have to come out sooner rather than later.

It isn't impacted so he could do it in there but will still cost a good bit.

I'm just wondering, when does your medical card entitlement to your two fillings kick in again if you have had fillings done in the past 12 months?

For example, I had two fillings done last August (2014) for free on the card, by the time August 2015 rolls around will I be entitled to 2 fillings again? I'm asking this as I know if I go to get the wisdom tooth out he's going to ask me to get fillings done at the same time...

If it is a standard extraction, why won't your medical card cover it with your dentist??

mejulie805 · 13-07-2015 3:32pm

Hi guys- was told today that I need my 4 wisdom teeth out. The extraction itself is covered by the trusty ol' Aviva, but I am liable for consultation fee (€130) and the sedation, if I choose to get it (€270). Is this a normal enough price to be paying?

Gael23 · 13-07-2015 6:16pm

mejulie805 wrote: »

Hi guys- was told today that I need my 4 wisdom teeth out. The extraction itself is covered by the trusty ol' Aviva, but I am liable for consultation fee (€130) and the sedation, if I choose to get it (€270). Is this a normal enough price to be paying?

Yes that sounds accurate to me. Depending on your health insurance policy, you might be able to claim some of that back.

burnsey1987 · 20-07-2015 1:56pm

I was supposed to have them removed this month in Barrington's Hospital but I cancelled that due to the surgeon's requirement that I have a general anaesthetic.

I will be having my upper two removed next month at my new dentist's office in Limerick city. I will be having local anaesthetic only.

He reckons it should be an easy enough procedure, about 30 minutes tops. According to him, extracting the lower two is not really a good idea as it isn't worth the risk of permanent nerve damage given that they are not causing trouble at the minute and unlikely to do so. Though he did advise to get an x-ray every couple of years just to make sure they are not doing anything.

Anyways, I will post my experience after the procedure

macroman · 03-08-2015 11:19pm

Had my lower right removed last Wednesday - surgically under local anaesthetic due to horizontal impaction. All went well, in and out within 30 mins no pain during or after. A few stitches and €350 lighter it came out kicking and in two pieces!

But 5 days after the pain is kicking in with the pain killers (Tylex and Ponstan) not taking the edge off at all. I may give them a shout to see if it's normal with surgical extraction, as I googled it (and regretted it!!!) now I'm thinking it might be dry socket as I woke up a few mornings with a dry mouth like after a night on the town!

Been keeping things clean, left it alone the first day and been rinsing 4 times a day since with corsodil. Soft food for the first few days sucked (sick of soup, noodles and mashed spuds!) made great progress nibblin on a pizza the other day but eating on one side is getting on me nerves.

Gael23 · 03-08-2015 11:46pm

Those painkillers aren't strong enough for post surgery pain. Go to your pharmacist and you should be able to get something better without prescription. but if not you'll need to see a Doctor but if you think you have a dry socket you need to have it seen to.

Oral Surgeon · 04-08-2015 12:04am

Increasing pain at this stage sounds like a dry socket,

Call the clinic to get an appointment/ advice

macroman wrote: »

Had my lower right removed last Wednesday - surgically under local anaesthetic due to horizontal impaction. All went well, in and out within 30 mins no pain during or after. A few stitches and €350 lighter it came out kicking and in two pieces!

But 5 days after the pain is kicking in with the pain killers (Tylex and Ponstan) not taking the edge off at all. I may give them a shout to see if it's normal with surgical extraction, as I googled it (and regretted it!!!) now I'm thinking it might be dry socket as I woke up a few mornings with a dry mouth like after a night on the town!

Been keeping things clean, left it alone the first day and been rinsing 4 times a day since with corsodil. Soft food for the first few days sucked (sick of soup, noodles and mashed spuds!) made great progress nibblin on a pizza the other day but eating on one side is getting on me nerves.

burnsey1987 · 20-08-2015 12:19pm

Okay, so it's just over a week since I had my upper two wisdom teeth removed, one of which was causing bouts of severe nerve pain on one side of my face and pushing against a neighboring tooth, the other not causing any discomfort but very likely to become problematic.

Dentist gave me two blasts of novocaine into the gum and after about three minutes of twisting and pulling the easier of the two was out. He then asked me did I want the second (the real offender) taken out there and then or if I would prefer to leave it for another day. I said to go for it and get it over and done with. Two hits of local anesthetic again and the tooth was out in about ten minutes this time (the second was a lot more stubborn).

The nurse then got rid of any remaining blood with the vacuum pump and packed the sockets with cotton. I was then told to go and sit down for about fifteen minutes. After that the hygienist took a look to make sure everything was clotting okay, gave me a follow up appointment for two weeks later and then I walked home.

I wasn't prescribed any antibiotics as I did not have any infection, nor do I have any history of difficulty fighting them off. The nurse suggested that I take an OTC painkiller when I get home for when the novocaine wore off, however I didn't do this (I have a serious aversion to taking pain-relief medications, where I got it I have no idea but that's just how it is). I did not notice any real discomfort that evening although sleeping partially sitting up (to speed up the clotting process) wasn't so easy.

The next day I drove to Kilkee. I had very noticeable pain and tenderness as well as some tingling on the right hand site of my face where the troublesome one had been, although the latter did not last for more than a few hours. I ate soft foods (mainly tuna flakes, dressed crab, soft bread and juiced veg) for the two days after and made sure to rinse with plenty of salt water. Midway through the second day after the procedure I was pretty much back to normal. There was no indication of an infection or dry socket. I still had pain on each side of my jaw but it didn't stop me from swimming in the ocean and walking long distances during the day and meeting up with friends in the evenings.

The only issue is that my health insurance policy will not cover the 240 euro bill. They would have covered the entire cost if I had the procedure done in hospital under general anesthetic, but there was no way on earth I was going to have the procedure done in such an unnecessary fashion.

I returned to work this Monday and as of yesterday I am pretty much completely pain free. So, overall a positive experience.

Oral Surgeon · 20-08-2015 3:10pm

Sounds like an overall good experience.

But Just to clarify, having treatment in hospital or under GA does not mean that your insurance covers the treatment. Your insurance generally covers treatment if the teeth are "impacted or unerupted" and that is the case for LA too. So if the teeth were impacted or unerupted then they could have been covered, if not then you would have to pay....

burnsey1987 wrote: »

Okay, so it's just over a week since I had my upper two wisdom teeth removed, one of which was causing bouts of severe nerve pain on one side of my face and pushing against a neighboring tooth, the other not causing any discomfort but very likely to become problematic.

Dentist gave me two blasts of novocaine into the gum and after about three minutes of twisting and pulling the easier of the two was out. He then asked me did I want the second (the real offender) taken out there and then or if I would prefer to leave it for another day. I said to go for it and get it over and done with. Two hits of local anesthetic again and the tooth was out in about ten minutes this time (the second was a lot more stubborn).

The nurse then got rid of any remaining blood with the vacuum pump and packed the sockets with cotton. I was then told to go and sit down for about fifteen minutes. After that the hygienist took a look to make sure everything was clotting okay, gave me a follow up appointment for two weeks later and then I walked home.

I wasn't prescribed any antibiotics as I did not have any infection, nor do I have any history of difficulty fighting them off. The nurse suggested that I take an OTC painkiller when I get home for when the novocaine wore off, however I didn't do this (I have a serious aversion to taking pain-relief medications, where I got it I have no idea but that's just how it is). I did not notice any real discomfort that evening although sleeping partially sitting up (to speed up the clotting process) wasn't so easy.

The next day I drove to Kilkee. I had very noticeable pain and tenderness as well as some tingling on the right hand site of my face where the troublesome one had been, although the latter did not last for more than a few hours. I ate soft foods (mainly tuna flakes, dressed crab, soft bread and juiced veg) for the two days after and made sure to rinse with plenty of salt water. Midway through the second day after the procedure I was pretty much back to normal. There was no indication of an infection or dry socket. I still had pain on each side of my jaw but it didn't stop me from swimming in the ocean and walking long distances during the day and meeting up with friends in the evenings.

The only issue is that my health insurance policy will not cover the 240 euro bill. They would have covered the entire cost if I had the procedure done in hospital under general anesthetic, but there was no way on earth I was going to have the procedure done in such an unnecessary fashion.

I returned to work this Monday and as of yesterday I am pretty much completely pain free. So, overall a positive experience.

burnsey1987 · 20-08-2015 7:22pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Sounds like an overall good experience.

But Just to clarify, having treatment in hospital or under GA does not mean that your insurance covers the treatment. Your insurance generally covers treatment if the teeth are "impacted or unerupted" and that is the case for LA too. So if the teeth were impacted or unerupted then they could have been covered, if not then you would have to pay....

Right, I see. I was only going by what the Insurance agent told me over the phone.

The two lower teeth which are going to be left as they are (at least for the time being) are horizontal but not impacted, and covered by bone.

The uppers which I had removed were not covered by bone though they were below the gumline and impacting the neighboring teeth at a 45 degree angle.

So you are saying that my insurance should cover the procedure?

Oral Surgeon · 20-08-2015 8:22pm

Sounds like all of them are/were impacted...

burnsey1987 wrote: »

Right, I see. I was only going by what the Insurance agent told me over the phone.

The two lower teeth which are going to be left as they are (at least for the time being) are horizontal but not impacted, and covered by bone.

The uppers which I had removed were not covered by bone though they were below the gumline and impacting the neighboring teeth at a 45 degree angle.

So you are saying that my insurance should cover the procedure?

burnsey1987 · 20-08-2015 11:32pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Sounds like all of them are/were impacted...

So in that case should I get back in contact with Aviva and see what I should be able to claim?

Oral Surgeon · 21-08-2015 4:39am

burnsey1987 wrote: »

So in that case should I get back in contact with Aviva and see what I should be able to claim?

I don't really know how it works after the fact as I do it the other way around...
IF the teeth were impacted aviva MAY decided to reunburse some money to you but you'd need to discuss with them...

burnsey1987 · 21-08-2015 2:06pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

I don't really know how it works after the fact as I do it the other way around...
IF the teeth were impacted aviva MAY decided to reunburse some money to you but you'd need to discuss with them...

Better give them a bell so, cheers

mejulie805 · 28-09-2015 9:53am

So got my 4 wisdom teeth out Friday 18th, and started back in work today! Extraction was done under general anesthetic, which I chose due to the price and the cost being covered by my insurance. It was painful when I woke up but not bad for the rest of the day.

When the pain got worse from Sunday I was really worried I might have dry socket, but thankfully the gums were just inflamed. All stitches bar 1 removed on Thursday, top left kept in as some jawbone was removed with extraction and trying to give that more time to heal.

Overall it was fine, tylex and vimovo helping along the way. Now all I have to worry about are the gaping holes in my mouth that are damn near impossible to keep clean and clear- think I am going to buy a water flosser to blast them clean.

vonbarracuda · 10-11-2015 6:18pm

Had my back left wisdom and the big tooth next to it out yesterday in dentist. Was fairly nervous but the provider itself man grand . On day 2 now and just pain in arse trying to eat with my face being massive!

rustyzip · 18-11-2015 10:41pm

Does anyone know if Decare Dental cover wisdom tooth extraction?
Can't see it listed on any of the policies!

My wisdom tooth extraction experience

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