Wisdom teeth --- advice?

[TooPatient]

I have an appointment on December 23 to have two of my wisdom teeth removed. One is growing under the jawbone and keeps causing infections. I don't have any insurance so I'm having my dentist do it. My family goes there also and says to trust them -- if the dentist says he can do it then he can do it and they are really good at managing pain so you don't suffer.
They don't do general anesthetics since they aren't oral surgeons.

Am I crazy to do this?
Should I wait until I have insurance and go to an oral surgeon? (keeping in mind the ongoing infection and discomfort -- insurance is still probably a year away)


I'm probably just getting (more) nervous and I know I need to have it done.

What were your experiences?
Is there pain meds for after?
How long will the nasty, slimy gums be sensitive?
Does it bleed after leaving the dentist?

 

[Tuckins1]

I do not want to scare you. However, the procedure is quite... rough. I have known others to do this surgery without being knocked out, and ALL of them say they wished they had paid the extra $ for the anesthesia. Is it an option for you to save more money and have it done by an oral surgeon? I had mine done at an oral surgeon's office and it was great. They knocked me out, I didn't feel a thing. I was swollen for a few days. I did end up getting dry socket which was very painful, but once they packed it I was fine. I highly urge you to go to a surgeon for this procedure.
ETA- yes, there are pain meds. (Oxycontin/Vicodin/Motrin)
Your gums will be a bit sore for a few days, but sensitivity can persist long after the procedure.
You won't feel the "gross slimy gums" unless you purposely run your tongue along them, which you won't because it will hurt.

 

[Circe]

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth out at the same time: my first piece of advice, not applicable in your case, just in general for anybody else reading the thread ... don't DO that! I couldn't chew on either side of my mouth for a week. Ugh.

I did go to an oral surgeon, and had them removed under general anasthesia, and ... honestly, that's what I would recommend. I've had other kinds of dental procedures performed under local, and they've all hurt (that said, I have some bizarre tolerance to anesthetics, so YMMV). From talking to other people who've done local, it hasn't been pleasant. I don't know how bad your infections are, but for what it's worth ... I'd wait for the oral surgeon.

I spent the week after getting them out, a) looking like a chipmunk, b) existing on a steady diet of Percocet and ice cream, and, c) still in agonizing pain. Wisdom teeth are the WORST.

 

[Autumnovember]

I have an appointment on December 23 to have two of my wisdom teeth removed. One is growing under the jawbone and keeps causing infections. I don't have any insurance so I'm having my dentist do it. My family goes there also and says to trust them -- if the dentist says he can do it then he can do it and they are really good at managing pain so you don't suffer.
They don't do general anesthetics since they aren't oral surgeons.

Am I crazy to do this?
Should I wait until I have insurance and go to an oral surgeon? (keeping in mind the ongoing infection and discomfort -- insurance is still probably a year away)


I'm probably just getting (more) nervous and I know I need to have it done.

What were your experiences?
Is there pain meds for after?
How long will the nasty, slimy gums be sensitive?
Does it bleed after leaving the dentist?

Alright soooo...here is my experience:

I had 4 impacted wisdom teeth which were all removed. I am AWFUL with recovering from any type of surgery so of course, I got an infection in one of them after it was removed and it was really annoying. I was fine after the surgery, I didn't have much swelling whatsoever. I was also eating solid foods a day later (with the approval of doc) with my front teeth. I was taking perc's and they eliminated any pain. He will more than likely prescribe you percocet or vicodin for the pain. After a few days on it, I stopped taking them because it got really annoying to be a complete zombie/loopy all day. At that point, the paint was very very minimal aside from the annoying infection.

They will be sensitive for a little while. Mine were gross for a solid 3 weeks. Not to the point where it would bother me or anything or prevent me from eating food. But like I said, my body doesn't do well with any surgery so this might be exaggerated.

It does bleed after the dentist, and you'll have gauze in your mouth and these little "tampon" things that the dentist will stick in the hole where the tooth is gone. You'll have to go and get the dressing changed by him and I found that was the most uncomfortable part through the whole ordeal.

I know of people that have had it under local anesthetics and everything was fine. Just be ready to stomach the "sounds". Better yet, just bring an ipod so you don't need to listen to what they're doing.

I'm a wuss, so I opted for general.

All in all, it wasn't that bad at all aside from the infection.

 

[Tuckins1]

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth out at the same time: my first piece of advice, not applicable in your case, just in general for anybody else reading the thread ... don't DO that! I couldn't chew on either side of my mouth for a week. Ugh.

I did go to an oral surgeon, and had them removed under general anasthesia, and ... honestly, that's what I would recommend. I've had other kinds of dental procedures performed under local, and they've all hurt (that said, I have some bizarre tolerance to anesthetics, so YMMV). From talking to other people who've done local, it hasn't been pleasant. I don't know how bad your infections are, but for what it's worth ... I'd wait for the oral surgeon.

I spent the week after getting them out, a) looking like a chipmunk, b) existing on a steady diet of Percocet and ice cream, and, c) still in agonizing pain. Wisdom teeth are the WORST.

Wow, I had an opposite experience. Yeah, my mouth was sore (had all 4 out) but I was so messed up on meds I couldn't care less! I was out of it for a few days and then it was fine. Had to eat pudding, applesauce, or chopped up ramen noodle soup for a few days, but other than that it was fine!

I did have a different surgical procedure done at the dentist with just local numbing (I had a tooth in the roof of my mouth that had to be exposed) and it was EXTREMELY painful! I felt everything, and besides that, the SOUND of teeth being pulled from your head is really gross. I would never do it again.

 

[qtiekiki]

I had two of my wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon under local anesthesia. The lower wisdom tooth was impacted. The surgeon basically has cut open the gum, drill the tooth in half, remove one half and then the other half. I can feel the pressure and hear the drilling through the headphones. I was prescribed vicodin, and instructed to take them pre-surgery. I had a great recovery. I didn't have any swelling. I took the vicodin for a day after the surgery. I didn't feel any pains.

 

[Circe]

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth out at the same time: my first piece of advice, not applicable in your case, just in general for anybody else reading the thread ... don't DO that! I couldn't chew on either side of my mouth for a week. Ugh.

I did go to an oral surgeon, and had them removed under general anasthesia, and ... honestly, that's what I would recommend. I've had other kinds of dental procedures performed under local, and they've all hurt (that said, I have some bizarre tolerance to anesthetics, so YMMV). From talking to other people who've done local, it hasn't been pleasant. I don't know how bad your infections are, but for what it's worth ... I'd wait for the oral surgeon.

I spent the week after getting them out, a) looking like a chipmunk, b) existing on a steady diet of Percocet and ice cream, and, c) still in agonizing pain. Wisdom teeth are the WORST.

Wow, I had an opposite experience. Yeah, my mouth was sore (had all 4 out) but I was so messed up on meds I couldn't care less! I was out of it for a few days and then it was fine. Had to eat pudding, applesauce, or chopped up ramen noodle soup for a few days, but other than that it was fine!

I did have a different surgical procedure done at the dentist with just local numbing (I had a tooth in the roof of my mouth that had to be exposed) and it was EXTREMELY painful! I felt everything, and besides that, the SOUND of teeth being pulled from your head is really gross. I would never do it again.

Lucky duck - totally goes to show how individual each experience is! As I recall, all of mine were impacted, so they had to be cracked out of my jaw like Qtiekki describes. Just remembering it makes me cringe a little.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

I had a good expierence. All of my wisdom teeth were sideways. I was knocked out and had all four removed at once by an oral surgeon. I slept the rest of the day and was good to go after that. Never had discomfort, no pain afterwards (I took no pain pills), no issues at all. Easiest procedure of my life! I know what I had was very uncommon - but still possible. I would get your tooth out ASAP because of the infections.

 

[jstarfireb]

I had a good expierence. All of my wisdom teeth were sideways. I was knocked out and had all four removed at once by an oral surgeon. I slept the rest of the day and was good to go after that. Never had discomfort, no pain afterwards (I took no pain pills), no issues at all. Easiest procedure of my life! I know what I had was very uncommon - but still possible. I would get your tooth out ASAP because of the infections.

This was similar to my experience. I had IV sedation, and the three wisdom teeth I had (the fourth never grew in) were removed at the same time by an oral surgeon. I ate cheesecake the same day a few hours later and was back to normal food the next day. Maybe it was easy because they weren't impacted, or maybe it was just a great surgeon!

I would see if the dentist can do anything else about the infection (antibiotics, drain an abscess, etc.) to hold you off until you can get insurance and have it done by an oral surgeon with anesthesia.

 

[geckodani]

Disclaimer: I'm getting sedated Friday for a root canal, so that should tell you something about how well I handle dental work in general (NOT WELL!).

Are you crazy to have a general dentist do this, without sedation? IMO, yes.

My sister had her wisdom teeth removed without being sedated and still has nightmares about it. I would not have a general dentist do this. Find an oral surgeon. Check out the financing options. I use a company called Care Credit that has 0% interest if you pay it off inside 12 months. Also, how old are you, if I may ask? I ask because at 28, based on my age and where the roots on my wisdom teeth have grown, I was informed that I have a 50% chance of permanent nerve damage if they are removed. So cross your fingers that the suckers can stay put. My old dentist didn't tell me anything about this, it took 2 consults (first guy scared me so bad I was crying, second gal was awesome) for them to tell me how high risk I was.

Definitely get it taken care of, but I would really, really, REALLY suggest going to an oral surgeon and getting sedated. Obviously quotes will vary from place to place, but it's going to cost $800 to sedate me Fri for my root canal, and IMO it is money well spent.

You also said that one of them is growing under the bone? Oh sweetie, please get a second opinion. Please go see an oral surgeon.

ETA: iPod won't help. Sounds get transferred through the bone. Been there done that.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

Gecko, I don't know if you've ever had a root canal before, but that was the second easiest procedure of my life (this is from the girl who has panic attacks and hypoglycemic attacks from too much adrenaline in the system when seeing the dentist). My nerve was already dead and the only reason it needed to be numbed was because of the extreem pain from the infection (to get me relaxed). I would gladly have a root canal again over filling a cavity on a live tooth

 

[geckodani]

Gecko, I don't know if you've ever had a root canal before, but that was the second easiest procedure of my life (this is from the girl who has panic attacks and hypoglycemic attacks from too much adrenaline in the system when seeing the dentist). My nerve was already dead and the only reason it needed to be numbed was because of the extreem pain from the infection (to get me relaxed). I would gladly have a root canal again over filling a cavity on a live tooth

Root's not dead, just dying. (Think ice pick with a heartbeat lodged in my mouth). I can't get numb on the bottom (physically can't. I went in for a crown, fully sedated and they told me that even with local and fully sedated, my EKG spiked so high several times from the pain that they finally did a full nerve block on my jaw to keep me from waking up). Have had a filling in almost every molar I have and felt every single thing. I mentally can NOT get anything done to that tooth without being knocked out. The sound of the drill being used on another patient when I was in there for a consult about had me running out the door.

Backing out of this thread for a bit, lol.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

I'm sorry I know the feeling all to well - the dentist kept calling mine a gum infection because nothing showed up on my xrays until long after it died I also need a full nerve block too (hence the exreem panic attacks). Anyway, no more threadjack

I really hope the widsom teeth work out and that you don't feel the extreem pain from a worse infection.

 

[geckodani]

I enjoy the dentist much more unconscious. Full nerve block while conscious = nightmares. Unconscious - who the heck cares. Blech. At least I have good painkillers for night time. Although for a while there vicodin wasn't even touching it. Yay for antibiotics.

Sorry for the threadjack TooPatient! I still stand by the please go to an oral surgeon advice, my own neurosis nonwithstanding.

 

[Autumnovember]

ETA: iPod won't help. Sounds get transferred through the bone. Been there done that.

Very good point, I didn't even think of that!

I think the sounds alone of your teeth cracking is going to scare the living crap out of you, or so I've been told.

 

[Karl_K]

I had 2 removed,,, one they just knocked out the other had to be dug out and a small point of bone ground away.
Had it done with just novocaine and went to work that night and worked all night no pain meds.
Next day was actually worse because I drank some hot coffee and ended up taking a pain med and vegging for a few hours.
Over all not that bad, the abscess I had under another tooth a few years ago was 10x worse every time they worked on it.

 

[PinkTower]

When my husband was in law school, he went to the dental school and had it done. It is much cheaper, so you might want to check.

 

[kittybean]

I had all four of mine out at the same time. I was under general anesthesia and had it done by an oral surgeon. My dentist recommended an oral surgeon because of the pain I was feeling at the time and because he no longer does tooth extractions. From his experience, patients are much more comfortable and much happier when they go to an oral surgeon.

As it turns out, my pain was because my tooth had grown into my cheek and caused a huge infection there. My oral surgeon said I was very close to septicemia, and he could only see how serious it was once I was under general because I couldn't open my mouth enough to show anyone what was going on when I was in so much pain. The oral surgeon dealt with the issue really well, and I got an IV antibiotic followed by antibiotic and pain pills (Percocet) afterward.

There was a lot of bleeding during the first two days. I only had swelling around the area where the infection had been, but my brother got his out at the same time with the same oral surgeon, and he looked like a chipmunk for a week afterward. I had some noticeable bruising around my jawline for a while, too (lovely). The bleeding stopped after two days, but I ate very, very carefully for a week after. My mom tried to feed me oatmeal on the second day--bad, bad idea once those little oatmeal bits got stuck in the holes where my teeth were! I stuck to Jello and ice cream after that.

My other brother had his out several years ago at our dentist's office, and he really wishes he had gone to the oral surgeon. It was horrifying for him to be awake through the whole thing--they didn't give him any nitrous oxide, just lots of Novocaine. It took all of us about the same amount of time to recover. Plan on being out of commission for about a week.

My ultimate recommendation would be go with the oral surgeon if you think you can, but if it is a more acute issue given your infections and pain, I would not risk getting sepsis, which can quickly become very serious and life-threatening.

 

[lliang_chi]

I also had my wisdom teeth removed under local anesthesia. I had 6 actually: 1 upper, 2 lower both on the left and right side. All removed as they were impacted. My recovery wasn't too bad, I can't remember what drugs I had for the pain. They basically gauzed and sutured the gaping holes. I had the dressing changed, then a week, maybe two, later he took the sutures out. I think i was eating soft foods only for the whole time.

 

[slg47]

OK, so my experience...

was great! I was knocked out during, sort of woozy afterwards, I had some frozen yogurt and made milkshakes/vegged out on the couch
and I was able to go to school and dance practice the next day. I think some people's heal better for some reason or another...anyway I ate mostly soft foods for about a week or so, but was totally fine. I didn't even look too puffy the day after. Good luck and I hope you heal well

 

[Hera]

I waited so long to get my wisdom teeth removed (mine were impacted) that they stopped hurting eventually (I guess they grew in somewhat even though I was told they would not). I would see how long you can go. If it's a constant pain then get it taken care of but if it's just occasional flare ups I would wait until you have more anesthesia options. You also can pay separately for an anesthesiologist so maybe you'll want to consider that as an option.

 

[LGK]

Well. Don't get it done while you have some other medical issue going on. I had mine out while I had cancer and didn't know it, and my thyroid was all out of whack because of it. So, I definitely don't recommend doing that!

Mine were all impacted, and huge, and I had general anaesthetic and all four done at once. I was incredibly, incredibly out of it afterwards- I'd been dating my future husband for maybe a month or two, and he took me, and he ended up carrying me from the car back to my apartment, I couldn't even walk after. I don't remember that but he does- apparently I missed some excitement while being out of it. My apartment manager was screaming at him for parking in my spot and I was about 90% unconcious- DH was stuck juggling bleeding, unconcious me and trying to placate the bastardous manager, and finally he just said fine, call a tow truck then! And hauled me off. (At least he managed to get back to move the car before the tow truck came.)

It took me forever to heal from it, probably since my metabolism was all out of whack anyway (see: aforementioned thyroid cancer). Major chipmunk cheeks with lots of bruising. I'm pretty sure it was about a month before I was really functional at all.

I couldn't open my mouth fully for many, many months- almost a year if I remember right. My jaw is weird and hard to open on one side- it clicks and sometimes still won't open right, so having my mouth pried open for hours messed it up worse than ever.

Have we convinced you how much fun wisdom tooth removal is yet? Yikes. Anyway, good luck. As far as pain management afterwards, I seem to think I had oxycodone at first and then vicodin after that, and absolutely postively don't wait until the anaesthetic is totally worn off before taking it. If you *start* hurting, it's much harder to stop it, than if you keep it managed from teh beginning. Yeah, I didn't believe them and tried to tough it out and wait awhile to take the pain meds, which wasn't a good call. I knew better the next time I had surgery! They're not kidding about that.

Hope it goes OK. I have heard friends who just had the local anaesthetic said they felt it took them less time to heal than people who did general, but who knows... I was too much of a chicken to go for local only.

 

[Imdanny]

Grrr, I hate the health care "system" in the US. This work should be done by an experienced oral surgeon.

 

[geckodani]

Here's the care credit info: http://www.carecredit.com/

 

[Tanzigrrl]

I had all 4 of mine (impacted) removed when I was 18. It was no big deal. I had minor, if any, swelling and ate applesauce and oatmeal when I got home. I rested that afternoon and by the next day's afternoon, I was up and about and by the day after that, I was fine. I strongly recommend that you go to an experienced oral surgeon. I would not, under any circumstances, go to a regular dentist. Dentists are wonderful for general dentistry for major oral surgery, you need to see an oral surgeon.

 

[rhbgirl24]

I had my top two removed with just a local and valium. Was just fine. I would wait until after xmas though. Youre going to be miserable

 

[stephbolt]

I had a good expierence. All of my wisdom teeth were sideways. I was knocked out and had all four removed at once by an oral surgeon. I slept the rest of the day and was good to go after that. Never had discomfort, no pain afterwards (I took no pain pills), no issues at all. Easiest procedure of my life! I know what I had was very uncommon - but still possible. I would get your tooth out ASAP because of the infections.

This was similar to my experience. I had IV sedation, and the three wisdom teeth I had (the fourth never grew in) were removed at the same time by an oral surgeon. I ate cheesecake the same day a few hours later and was back to normal food the next day. Maybe it was easy because they weren't impacted, or maybe it was just a great surgeon!

I would see if the dentist can do anything else about the infection (antibiotics, drain an abscess, etc.) to hold you off until you can get insurance and have it done by an oral surgeon with anesthesia.

My experience was also similar (down to only having three wisdom teeth). My only major side effect was a day of puking from the anesthesia.

The major thing I did, and recommend to anyone getting their wisdom teeth out, was ice the crap out of my face. I was back at work two days later with no swelling because of this.

 

[manderz]

I had all 4 of mine out at the same time. Mine were all impacted, and I didn't have the option to have just a local, they pretty well insisted on knocking me out. I never felt any pain, but I was literally stoned out of my mind for a solid week because of the pain meds. I don't remember much from the entire following week. I remember getting to the appointment, them putting the gas mask on my nose, crying in the recovery room (and then calling myself a jackass because I knew I couldn't feel anything and had no reason to cry), then pulling out of the parking space, and occasionally getting up to pee and change the gauze. I don't remember eating or drinking for the following week (though I obviously did). Then, 7 days later, I woke up and was perfectly fine. I still couldn't drink out of a straw or smoke (have since quit).

My brother's was like night and day from mine. He opted to have all 4 done at once with just a local, and his was so much different than mine. He went to work the next day, and had no complaints. He was on the pain meds, but they were obviously a lot less intense than what I'd been given. I wish that I'd been allowed to go that route.

My advice: don't worry about it. It's not fun, but you'll be much better off afterwards. I can't remember how long I bled for, but I think it was only a day or two, though I can't really be sure. I would ask if you can reschedule til after you celebrate the holidays though.

 

[TooPatient]

Here's the care credit info: http://www.carecredit.com/

I'll look into this as an option. I know the dentist office offers a credit thing too but I don't think it can be used anywhere else.

This is the PERFECT time to have something like this done. I scheduled for a Thursday morning since I've got Friday off so I can have Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun to recover before going to work. One of the guys I work for will be gone so it will be just me and maybe one other person in the office (and no clients!). It is also between school quarters so I don't have to worry about school stuff for at least 2 weeks after. (And we're Jewish so Christmas isn't an issue)


I'm 25 (26 in the 1st week of March) -- I had NO CLUE about the possibility of nerve damage! I'd never heard of such a thing with this and didn't know to ask.

The lower jaw on one side has a constant dull pain that gets worse for a few days every couple of weeks or so. About once a month I get more pain, sensitivity, and the feeling that my gums/cheek in that area are swollen. This can last for a couple of days or more. A few months ago it got so bad that I had to go to the dentist (first time seeing a dentist in almost 7 years) because my mouth hurt so bad (swollen gums/cheeks) I could barely manage to drink room temp water (and forget about food...). This was the visit I found out about my wisdom tooth causing problems.

One of the guys I work for told me that when he had his out it opened up something to his sinuses so now the doctor can squirt stuff in his nose and have it come out where the tooth used to be


Okay.... I'm a total wimp. I HATE pain. I get dizzy and my vision goes black at the first touch of peroxide to my body. I nearly pass out (last time was really close) at the site of my blood.


I know they use novacain, numbing gel stuff, and some sort of gas when they do anything at the dentist's office.


EEEEEEeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!
I really would rather leave them and not do anything but I saw the x-rays and know I can't do that. It sounds like an oral surgeon is the way to go but I doubt I'll be able to get the financing (FI probably won't qualify either) and I don't think I can wait a year to get it out.


Okay... off to call the dentist office to request the dentist I'm scheduled with (who I've never even met before) look at the x-rays and call to discuss stuff.

 

[slg47]

Grrr, I hate the health care "system" in the US. This work should be done by an experienced oral surgeon.

I agree, mine was done by a very experienced oral surgeon and I think that is one of the reasons I had no problems.