Wisdom Teeth: To Pull or Not to Pull

[JadedLegend3]

Hi all.

I have 1 wisdom tooth coming in, and it doesnt' seem to be bothering me too much..doesn't hurt, has made some teeth shift a little bit.

My dentist is always giving me that routine about having them pulled/cut out (which is partially why I hate going).

Do you guys think wisdom teeth should be pulled?

I'm on the fence about this. I was very much against it, as I've had 4 oral surgeries already, but now I'm not so sure.

Advice welcome!


Jacqui :love:

[scrape_medic]

No, nature gave you them, don't let some money hungry dentist take them and your money away

[JadedLegend3]

See? That's how I feel. But now I'm scared that they will mess up my nice straight teeth that I already paid the dentist so much for...


Jacqui :love:

[DentArthurDent]

Get a second opinion at least. I had one guy a few years ago go balistic on all he wanted to do like pull my 3 remaining wisdom T and then I went to another who said 'Why? They fit and you are one of those people who have a big enough jaw for them all...' Just like anything, it's your body, get lots of opinions before you cut into it...

AFD

[Kurt_eh]

Pushing 30, and my lower two are literally sideways (the crown is forward and the roots point backward), but there's lots of room, they've never hurt, so what's the point?

[Nicola]

Get them pulled. If they are messing up the alignment of your teeth, this is a problem. And could lead to more serious problems later in life.

You only get one set of teeth ... take care of them.

[divinedaydreams]

I didn't get an option, Coast Guard pulled them. I was 19 at the time and had never had any problems with them.

I wish I could have said no. I hate unnecessary procedures.

[JadedLegend3]

Originally posted by DentArthurDent
Get a second opinion at least. I had one guy a few years ago go balistic on all he wanted to do like pull my 3 remaining wisdom T and then I went to another who said 'Why? They fit and you are one of those people who have a big enough jaw for them all...' Just like anything, it's your body, get lots of opinions before you cut into it...

AFD

Wow. I never even thought of getting a second opinion when it comes to teeth. I know we did when I was a child and this guy wanted to do massive surgery that included breaking my 7 year old jaw and reshaping it, but not for teeth pulled.

That's a great idea! I think I'll look into it!


Jacqui :love:

[BrowderChick]

I had all four of mine done at once. Hurt for a few days and then it was ok. I say pull if it will make your teeth shift...

[Beaulah]

Get them pulled. If they are messing up the alignment of your teeth, this is a problem. And could lead to more serious problems later in life.


I agree with Nicola! I chose not to have mine removed and now at 33 not only do I HAVE to get them removed I also need braces because my Wisdom teeth are pushing the rest of the teeth inward. Do it, I wish I had. :cry2:

[vikingscaper]

Luckily, I don't have to worry about my wisdom teeth! It has been many years but I think that my dentist said that they wouldn't interfere with any of my teeth.

[DRD2001]

I had my wisdom teeth removed 2 at a time. No problem, no pain, absolutely none. 2 were exposed, 2 were not. The only reason I had them removed was that I have really good tooth alignment. One of my father's girl friends warned me, however, to keep an eye on my alignment cause she also had braces in her mid 30s due to her wisdom teeth pushing her front teeth crooked. So when I started to notice that my teeth we not exactly even up front, I had it done. But I was in my mid 20s when that happened.

I definately think though, that a second opinion could not hurt. It may help to give you peace of mind over any decision you make.

[BlackThorn]

The last dentist I went to was really hot to pull my wisdom teeth. They didn't come in sideways. If anything they look like they came in straight and fell over to rest against the molars. My teeth have always been crooked, so it's not like they're ruining anything. They aren't painful. In fact, when I asked why he wanted to pull them so much, the only reason he gave was, "Because they're there."

Get a second opinion.

[Clarsax]

I agree that you should consider a second opinion. I had four impacted wisdom teeth that were sitting under my molars at a slant. They weren't bothering me but I saw two dentists who both told me they were going to interfere with my jaw movements by my mid thirties. I was worried about getting the surgery done but it turned out not to be as bad as I expected. I had them taken out and I was fine by that evening.

Each person is built differently and what's necessary for one person may not be for another. If you're not sure, it might be best to get a second opinion before you have anything done.

[BrowderChick]

I had all mine pulled for the reason that one became impacted and hurt like hell. My teeth are naturally straight and I didn't want anything to happen to them. I made the choice to have all four done at the same time. I was told that if I get one done then it could upset my jaw eventually...I don't think I really had a choice of a second opinion as the tooth was absessing...but everyone is different and my choice was to just do it and get it over with. But look into your options...but if it is messing with your other teeth, I would just do it to avoid furture problems...:)

[frellyou]

My history teacher's husband had his removed. The dentist broke his entire jaw.

[BrowderChick]

Originally posted by frellyou
My history teacher's husband had his removed. The dentist broke his entire jaw.

Remind me not to go to that dentist.....OUCH

[Farsight]

Basically, if they're harming the other teeth, get em pulled. Otherwise, why bother?

If there isn't enough room for them, they may cause damage to the molar immediately in front of them. That's why I had all 4 of mine removed.

It was quite nasty, with my mouth bleeding for many days. So if it isn't needed to protect your other teeth, I'd strongly suggest not having them pulled - they can always come back for them later... :)

[SabaceanBabe]

Get that second opinion.

I had all four of mine out when I was in high school and it was actually a good thing I did, because my mouth was too small for the the teeth I had, let alone four more. I had braces when I was in my late 20s and they still had to do that mouth-widening thing (kind of like a retainer in the top of my mouth that was screwed open a little bit wider every few days - boy, did *that* ever hurt!) so that my mouth could accommodate straight, unsquished teeth.

I needed to have them removed, but it doesn't necessarily sound like you do.

[stellar]

When mine broke the skin I saw that they were going in unconventional directions and had them removed. I don't know about a preemptive pull unless the dentist says they're growing in crooked or says your mouth is too small to support them.

Do you have a small mouth, or a big mouth?

[NebariNookiee]

I had mine pulled 11 years ago. The only problem I had was with the anaesthetic. Other than that – no worries.

[Emeraldcity]

If they are messing with the alignment of your teeth....PULL THEM!!!! It doesn't hurt these days with the way they remove teeth. But once it starts affecting the teeth alignment, you will be in for trouble later with other things........

[NebariNookiee]

I had braces for 5 years – once they were out my dentist decided to put a permanent retainer in on my lower teeth. The problem was that once my wisdoms started to come in it pushed all of my teeth forward, completely destroying 5 years of dental work. I’m on the verge of losing a tooth because of it.

[kechara420]

I've had all 4 of mine pulled, but they were done one at a time.

My bottom two came in first, and I had no problems for years. About four years ago, one of them was absessed and I had to have it pulled. My dentist said the other one was fine, and didn't encourage me to pull it. About a year later, I had problems with the second one, and had that one pulled, too. Repeat for the top two, which had come in by that time.

I agree with the second-opinion advice. You may not *need* to have them pulled, and if you don't, then don't waste the time & money.

If you *do* need them pulled, I just have one piece of advice ... don't take any aspirin, Tylenol or other blood thinners for a few days beforehand. I was in a lot of pain with the last one I had pulled, so I'd been taking Aleve for days (developed the problem on a weekend, of course!), and I bled A LOT! I hardly bled with the other three, though.

[recklesshumor]

Look at it this way: if your teeth are shifting already, that's a very bad sign. It means there probably isn't enough room for your wisdom teeth to come in fully, especially if they're growing in at odd angles. Letting them go without pulling them can cause all sorts of problems - infection and abscess (and the accompanying terrible breath), jaw problems, numbness, pain, and crooked teeth to name a few. The risk of the surgery with an accomplished oral surgeon is minimal if you're not allergic to the anaesthetic. If your insurance covers it, I say do it - but going to another dentist for a second opinion is always a good idea.

[Eiley]

I had all four of my pulled. My dad's my dentist, so I did as he said. My lower ones came in first. They weren't straight and they were moving my other teeth, so he took them out. The upper left came in about a year later and he took that one too. The upper right decided to wait awhile and then came in with a vengence. I was about 21 at that time and it was shifting all around. Around 21 is when your last facial growth happens, so it's easy for things to move around then.

My little bro has a big mouth and all his wisdom teeth came in straight, so our dad left his in.

As to a person's jaw being broken, I would place a bet that it was the guys lower jaw that broke. You're lower jaw is very fragile, almost glass like back there. If a dentist isn't careful enough it can shatter. Teeth back there have to be gently rocked out of position to be taken out if they have come in. It's possible that that guys dentist was careful, and the broken jaw was not preventable.

[Shipscat]

It entirely depends on your individual circumstances. I had mine out-I have a mouth too small for my teeth-so when my kids were at the age that they might start coming in, I asked the dentist whether they would need to come out. I wanted to have it done while they were still on my insurance and I could take care of them and they wouldn't have to worry about working or anything.. Both of my children have large mouths (my daughter has a Julia Roberts smile) and the dentist said they were fine, and lined up straight, and plenty of room. And so far, no problems. So it just depends.

[AgentSun]

i'm 19 and mine haven't come in yet. i hope that if they do, they come in fine and i won't have to get them taken out. cause i've already had teeth pulled when i was younger and it's not something i like doing.

the overall trend though is that you need a second opinion, and i definitely agree. get a second opinion from another doctor. and make sure he or she knows your entire dental history also, because there's no point in a second opinion if it's an uneducated one.

[fermicat]

I had mine removed and I don't miss them. They were not given the opportunity to ruin the result of years of wearing braces and a headgear. No, I did that on my own by not wearing my retainer! :)

I was one of the lucky people who had a very easy time of it. No swelling, painless, and back to eating pizza the next day. The holes in my mouth felt a little weird, though. But they heal soon enough.

[AgentSun]

exactly, fermicat! damn retainer...

[fermicat]

Originally posted by AgentSun
exactly, fermicat! damn retainer...

Yeah, who knew the ortho actually knew what he was talking about! :(

[UTChick]

Definetly, a second opinion. 2 of mine (lower jaw) don't exist. The other 2 finally started to come in during my 30's. The dentist recommended pulling them, but said he'd wait until I wanted it done. So, I still have my 2. They don't bother me & aren't moving my teeth. The advice that I've seen, seems to be on target. If they're causing movement or pain, then taking them out might be a prudent move. The 2nd opinion won't hurt!!

Good Luck!!

[JadedLegend3]

Well guys, I have had to bite the bullett.

My tooth is now cutting into my cheek and there is a gaping hole there now. And I've lost three pounds in 2 days because I can't eat anything.

So, on Thursday afternoon at 1:00, I have an appointment to see an oral surgeon and disucss my options. The secretary kept saying horrible things like "surgery" and "medical procedure." Horrible woman.

I must admit, after having 3 teeth pulled and 4 previous oral surgeries, the last of which they had to give me Valium for because I passed out after the second one, I'm not looking forward to this at all. I'm very nervous and scared.

However, the pain is enough that I will go and have it done. That, and I'm really hungry! LOL

Well, thanks for the kind words and helpful advice!

Oh, the doc that I'm going to is where just about everyone I know goes, so I'm not going to get a second opinion unless I really don't like what he has to say. LOL my mother says to me, "and he's cute, too!" As if that has anything to do with it. :ewink:

Anyway, thanks again, and I'll let you all know how it turns out.



Jacqui :love:

[stellar]

I had no pain at all after mine were taken out. I hope the same for you. :)

[JadedLegend3]

Thanks, stellar! :hug:

PS, you do realize that I expect you to distract me this semester as well as you did last semester! :P The lit classes I have are 20th Century British Authors, 20th Century Drama, and Romantic Literature.



Jacqui :love:

[DRD2001]

Mine didn't hurt either. My dentist gave me a pain perscription and I got the pills because I expected great pain. Got none. No problems the second time either. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[stellar]

Originally posted by JadedLegend3
... you do realize that I expect you to distract me this semester as well as you did last semester! :P The lit classes I have are 20th Century British Authors, 20th Century Drama, and Romantic Literature.

I'll try, but I haven't quite made it to the 20th century yet. I started with Beowulf and I'm on Dickens now.

P.S. Note the Tennyson in my latest sig. :)

[JadedLegend3]

Originally posted by stellar
I'll try, but I haven't quite made it to the 20th century yet. I started with Beowulf and I'm on Dickens now.

P.S. Note the Tennyson in my latest sig. :)

Oh I noted it! Love Tennyson! That's a great poem, but I like the Arthur ones better.


Thanks DRD2001! :)



Jacqui :love:

[mgraylorn]

I've had my wisdom teeth out - 3 because they developed cavities and the last because it was impacted - coming in sideways pointed at the molars in front of it. The impacted one required oral surgery. The surgery was great, they put in an IV which burned just a bit, but the next thing I knew, they were helping me off the dental chair. I wondered why they were moving me instead of working on my tooth. Well, it was all done! I had no pain afterward, and next to no swelling. It was so easy, I thought I should have had the others removed that way!

I'm sorry your oral surgeries were unpleasant, but mine was tons better than having the other teeth yanked.

[Clarsax]

Getting mine pulled out turned out to be easy. I hope the same for you. Good luck!:)