The dentist said that my wisdom teeth are decaying. He referred me to an oral surgeon. It is curious. None of my other teeth are decaying. Could this be a cash grab? Or is it more a matter that my toothbrush can't reach my wisdom teeth to clean them? What will the recovery be like from the surgery?
2007-02-09 01:50:06 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Impacted wisdom teeth are very common, and should be removed or you may face some very serious problems later. In fact, wisdom teeth probably have no practical use....sort of like the appendix. Some dental historians think wisdom teeth (3rd molars) are really just a leftover set of teeth from our prehistoric ancestors when jaws were bigger. In prehistoric times, people needed to tear, rip and chew meat to a much greater extent than modern man, so evolution of the head and jaw shape, and our eating habits have pretty much eliminated the need for 3rd molars. Because they often cause extreme crowding in the jaw, and get tipped and impacted when they are first coming in...and combined with the difficulty in keeping them clean, most wisdom teeth are destined to be removed. Modern oral surgeons are excellent at reducing associated pain with wisdom teeth removal, and recovery. Follow your dentist's advice and have them removed.
2007-02-09 02:44:14 · answer #1 · answered by august51944 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's very possible that your impacted wisdom teeth are decaying and I don't think it is a cash grab. I had all four of my impacted wisdom teeth removed recently and wish I had done it sooner. I'd highly recommend doing it ASAP.
The recovery is HORRENDOUS but it's worth it as you'll not have to worry about them again. All of the people I've talked to who have recovered in days have NOT had impacted wisdom teeth so be prepared for a lot of pain and agony. I had dry sockets in all four extraction sites and I do not smoke or use a straw. Just bad luck. It's been 3 weeks since my surgery and I am still on soft foods and experiencing pangs of pain the past few days but it will get better eventually. Make sure to follow your OS' instructions in detail and definitely get nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or get knocked out for it. If you can get some painkillers from your OS for right after the surgery on hand, that is ideal as well.
I highly recommend you do it and get it over and done with. Good luck!
2007-02-09 08:00:44 · answer #2 · answered by C C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had 3 pulled because they were half out, and the last one cut out. Sure there is pain. I was not knocked out. In fact had my dentist insisted on it, I would have found a new dentist. I've been knocked out surgery, and it takes hours to get the grogginess out of your system. Plus anesthesia has more risks than a local. The Novocaine numbed it fine. But it depends on your pain threshold. I had a prescription of Darvocet for the pain, but that messes with your head, so I don't recommend it unless you have a low threshold for pain. I did fine with just 400 mg ibuprofen every 4 hours, although that last half hour was a little uncomfortable.
You might find it easier to have the teeth removed from one side of your mouth one time and the other 2 removed a few months later. At least one side of your mouth would be functional more quickly than if you get all done at once.
2007-02-09 02:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by KG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You and I seem to be in the same boat! My dentist told me that she wants to cut all four of my wisdom teeth out because if they do push through the gums one of them will grow in at a slight angle and sit against my back molar and she said because of that there is a possibility that I will develop a cavity and/or infection. I'm 22 years old and my wisdom teeth have never bothered me. I've thought about doing it just to get it over with but I'm like you...is it all really just for the money? My sister-in-law just had her wisdom teeth cut out and she said it was very painful but they give you good drugs!
2007-02-09 02:07:58 · answer #4 · answered by OU 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would listen to your dentist and get them taken out. I had mine done, all 4 at the same time. They put me to sleep to do it. Recovery was not too bad. I was up and about the next day. Pain killers were great. You may want to stock up on soup and pudding and soft foods. Also, I had a lot of swelling. My face is usually really thin and I looked like a chipmunk for about a week. There was some bruising in the jaw line afterwards too.
2007-02-09 02:25:58 · answer #5 · answered by Mohay3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never hurts to get a second opinion, but most of the time this recommendation is valid. Get them out. Always easier to be put to sleep for the operation...
Best case, you'll be eating McDonald's the next day...not so great case, it might take a week before you're eating normally again. The key is to drink a ton and get adequate nutrition if you can't eat normally at first....meal replacements like Ensure are a boon. There's all kinds of web sites with tips on recovery from this type of surgery...just google it.
2007-02-09 02:01:14 · answer #6 · answered by jay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are impacted that means they have not emerged from the gums yet. The chances of them edecaying are slim to none, but they can become infected, and abcessed. You should have them removed as soon as you get the chance and not wait; Like I did. The pain can be unbearable. As far as the surgery goes, you have 2 options. To be sedated or be awake. I was put to sleep; my dnetist insisted he would not pull my teeth without it. The recovery was not too bad; you get plenty of pain killers.
2007-02-09 01:55:48 · answer #7 · answered by yummymummy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
my wisdom teeth weren't out of the gum when I had them surgically removed because there weren't space in my mouth for them.
but be sure to go for one side of your face first and then after it has heeled go for the other side because your cheeks will swell and it would hurt like hell after surgery. i couldn't chew anything, so I only had soups and shakes. after the surgery on the same day I had a runny mouth :D
I had to put a towel on my pillow to go to sleep because of the watery blood that comes out.
I don't remember how long it took for the swelling to go away, but I think it was over a week.
2007-02-09 02:38:34 · answer #8 · answered by Samantha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your teeth are impacted, they will slowly shift the rest of your teeth, making your mouth more crowded, plus it can also be painfull when they are shifting. They usually need to come out.
2007-02-09 01:55:43 · answer #9 · answered by The Mullet 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't get too excited thinking you are getting an anaesthetic,i had mine done with cocaine and it really hurt.in fact the dentist told me off for being soft!!i had them cut out and gums stitched afterwards.expect pain and lots of it.i pity you.
2007-02-09 02:45:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋