Can a Dentist pull wisdoms? Any dentists or oral surgeons out there?

Question

I more than likely need my wisdoms pulled. Lately my jaw has been hurting and popping a little so it may be closer than I would like. I am so anxious about this procedure I cannot drive to town to an oral surgeon. I have anxiety as it is. My top wisoms are all the way out and streight, my bottoms are partially out and seem to be streight (although I can't see the entire tooth as some is still under the gum). I am curious if they can be pulled by my dentist. If they are out of the gum or partially out of the gum, can my dentist pull them? She is here in my town and there are no oral surgeons in my town so if she cannot, I don't know when I'll be brave enough to do it. I'm terrified of having any teeth pulled as it is. I know she pulls teeth but I don't know about wisdoms. Basic question is, can a dentist pull wisdoms?

Dr. Sam: Thank you for your response. Is it surgery when they are all the way out? Is it surgery when they are partially out? I know my friend had all her molars pulled due to decay by my dentist and had no problems. I want to be "comfortable" when I do this and so I am hoping she can do it. I'll ask her on my next visit in December. Thanks again.

Answer 1

Dentists won't do it. They will refer you to an oral surgeon.

Answer 2

We've all had our teeth pulled at one time or another, to me, it is different to have a wisdom tooth pulled. I've had my wisdom teeth taken out by an Oral Surgeon. I was completely out. I would not let a dentist do it, I think an oral surgeon is more educated in extracting wisdoms.

Answer 3

Dr. Sam is (as usual) quite correct. Many general dentists do oral surgery and are very experienced with wisdom teeth.

There are some general dentists who prefer to refer most specialty procedures out - such as root canal and extractions. My guess is, since the nearest oral surgeon is some distance away, your general dentist does at least some extractions.

All dentists are trained in oral surgery...that's what the "S" in DDS stands for. Whether they prefer to practice surgery once they graduate is another matter. There are even a few who get additional training in general sedation, but not many.

For the most part, your wisdom teeth can be extracted with local anesthetic and if you need more, your dentist can use an oral medication (such as Halcion) or nitrous oxide (laughing gas.)

Answer 4

I am a general dentist and pretty much the only surgical patients I refer to the oral surgeon are the ones who ask to be put to sleep or the ones that look like they will be especially difficult. Otherwise, I remove wisdom teeth several times a month.

You should just ask your dentist. I love surgery and she may also. Then again, she may not and she will tell you so.

Answer 5

Some dentists pull them some don't. My dentist pulled one, i was having problems, but refused to do the other 3 a few years later because one was partially in the sinus cavity. It is ultimately his choice whether he feels comfortable to do the extraction or not. But, oral surgeons usually give better meds during the procedure.

Answer 6

This is a fairly common procedure, and lots of people have their wisdoms pulled for just the symptoms you're having. I had one removed years ago and was better off without it.

To answer this question completely and properly, you need to have a dentist examine and x-ray your mouth.

Answer 7

ANY DENTIST CAN DO ANY DENTAL PROCEDURE THEY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN DO. IF YOUR DENTIST DID NOT FEEL CONFIDENT/COMFORTABLE DOING THE WORK, YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO ANOTHER CLINICIAN.