Hey gang, I need some opinions on this if you know anything about this subject.
As you can imagine, my wisdom teeth are impacted? I think that's the term. It looks like the erupted one in the pictures below, except that it's has also completely surfaced through the gums.
Anyways, the dentist is saying that I need to get them out sooner rather than later, but it doesn't have to be right away. It could be a 5 year project if I want.
Now, another thing about my teeth is that I've already had a molar removed a while back, so there is now a gap in my lower jaw. I know that if I were to leave them alone, they would slowly slide out and mis-align, but with a gap there, at least the teeth shouldn't crowd too much and cause pain? I don't know.
What I do know is that I don't think I really care THAT much about having perfect teeth. I just want my teeth to not hurt, and then I don't want to over-pay for any unnecessary dental work.
So, my question is, do any of you know if this is truly necessary, or is this something that the dentist is telling me to help pay for his boat?
Wisdom teeth
August 16th, 2010 at 06:37 pm
August 16th, 2010 at 07:40 pm 1281987651
August 16th, 2010 at 07:45 pm 1281987900
If they aren't giving you any problems, I would say leave them. Be careful to floss back there as much as you can to prevent any cavities forming in the tight space between the last molar and the wisdom tooth. My previous dentist told me I *had* to have mine out "soon" and I've either been pregnant or had little kids to take care of (at the time). I switched to a different dentist who said that if they bothered me, then it would be time to take them out. They haven't bothered me and I still have them without damage to my other teeth. Just my experience ...
August 16th, 2010 at 09:26 pm 1281993970
The problem with wisdom teeth is that they are far to the back and hard to keep clean. If they are coming in at angles, they are especially susceptible to decay. If they are really COMPLETELY erupted and there is room in your mouth, no problem. If they are completely erupted, but smashed up the back of your jaw that's not good and you should definitely get them out.
Part of the answer depends on the side of your mouth...
August 16th, 2010 at 10:25 pm 1281997539
August 16th, 2010 at 11:23 pm 1282001033
August 16th, 2010 at 11:24 pm 1282001094
Thanks for all the input so far, everyone. I really appreciate it!
August 16th, 2010 at 11:25 pm 1282001115
August 16th, 2010 at 11:26 pm 1282001208
August 16th, 2010 at 11:27 pm 1282001222
So I still have all my wisdom teeth and am glad for it.
I would ask parents and siblings what their experience has been. I would also ask the dentist what the statistics might be on future problems.
If you are having pain now, take care of it, but only in the areas of pain. I personally would leave wisdom teeth alone if they are causing no problems. I'd be all the more motivated to leave them alone if no siblings or parents have had problems with theirs.
August 16th, 2010 at 11:30 pm 1282001429
Just for clarification, no, they're not hurting me right now. Nor are they bleeding or anything. They're just lodged against my back molars.
Again, thank you for the inputs! It's kind of a big deal for me, so please keep them coming if you think of anything else.
August 16th, 2010 at 11:35 pm 1282001733
So after the infection, I decided to bite the bullet and have it done. I was only willing to put myself through the surgery once as I am needle phobic. My regular dentist kept telling me to get all of them out due to not having enough room and the risk of infection. The oral surgeon told me the top ones really needed to come out due to the infection risk (they were partially erupted and there were deep pockets in my gums around them). They highly recommended I get the lower ones out as well due to the crowding issue, but weren't as insistent on them as the top ones. Since I was only going to do this once, I opted to have all of them out.
The surgery went fine. If I had known how bad my recovery was going to be, I would not have had the lower ones out. I got dry socket in both the lower ones. I was on vicodin for 2 weeks and advil for another 2 weeks after that. The inside of my lower teeth near the extraction site are still more sensitive than before surgery due to the nerve getting tweaked during extraction (the more severe possible side affect would have been to have permanent numbness in my lip, so I guess this is better, but I am still not amused). The sensitivity is fading, but sloooooowly. Also, six months post surgery my lower jaw still gets sore at the end of the day. My lower teeth were impacted in the jaw bone and had not erupted at all, much like the "angular" picture.
So all in all, I don't know what to tell you. I would ask/research about infection risks and look at your x-rays yourself. It doesn't sound like you are concerned about crowding, so you should concentrate on the infection risk in deciding.
Good luck.
August 17th, 2010 at 12:03 am 1282003394
August 17th, 2010 at 12:09 am 1282003783
August 17th, 2010 at 11:47 am 1282045671
And, you don't have to have them all done at once. If one is impacted and hurting you and you don't think it is going to re-aligned, after you have had your second opinion, then just get that one out.
August 17th, 2010 at 06:52 pm 1282071147
My personal experience was more on the unusual side, so that wont help you much. I had them out in high school - all three of them. ?? Not sure why I only had three. Mine had rotted before they even broke through the surface.
August 18th, 2010 at 03:58 pm 1282147124
BUT I did want to say, I would get a second opinion, definitely. OF course, the flip side is that you will get many opinions. But it would be nice to find a conservative dentist who agreed it wasn't necessary to remove them.
August 19th, 2010 at 04:35 am 1282192523
Good luck, whatever you decide.