Wisdom teeth

Julius · 09-11-2004, 02:53 PM

So I'm getting all four of my widsom teeth out sometime in the very near future. I've been putting it off for years as I did not have insurance coverage and couldn't afford to spend the quoted $1200 on the procedure.

I now have insurance that will cover 90% of the ordeal, so I'm doing it.

Had a consultation with the dentist yesterday to see how it would be, get the full facial xray done and all that.

He said that three of them will be easy and routine to take out. The fourth will be a pain, literally. It's rooted deep in my jaw, so they're going to have to dig around in my jawbone to get it out.

um....ow?

Now, here's where I need your help. I've obviously never had wisdom teeth out, or even a tooth extraction.

He said that he can do it in his office under sedation and laughing gas. This means that I'm about a 5 minute drive from home. Or, he said I can go to an oral surgeon about 40 minutes away and get anesthetic and be knocked out completely.

I am scared of this, particularly because of the fourth and most difficult tooth.

My brother said everytime he's 'gone under' with anasthesia (sp?), it's made him so sick. I don't really want to puke too much while I have gauze in my mouth and I am swollen like a chipmunk.

so how have you got your wisdom teeth removed? any horror stories? or, preferably, 'it wasn't as bad as I thought' stories?

thanks...

VitaBella · 09-11-2004, 03:06 PM

Have you had anesthesia before? If so, has it ever made you sick?

My DH was in the same situation as you - knew he needed them out, but kept putting it off! Finally he got an infection in one of the widsom teeth and he was MISERABLE. He just had them out last Friday (so 8 days ago)...

I have only good news to tell you. He did his under sedation (he was very "out of it" but still remembers the procedure). He only took three pain pills. No swelling, no brusing. He bled for the first twelve hours and after that, nothing.

Once he slept off the sedation, he said he felt like a new person and would have gotten his taken out years ago if he knew it would be that easy. Honestly, he went out golfing three days later.

It seems to just vary from person to person how bad wisdom teeth removal is. But his was MUCH better than we anticipated. I think I would rather do it under sedation...it's very fast (maybe 15 minutes) and then you'll be home that much faster.

Good luck! Hope you turn out just like my DH did.

Julius · 09-11-2004, 03:14 PM

Thanks Jen! That's just the kind of stuff I wanted to hear!

I've never had any anesthesia before, so I'm a little wary. If I knew how it affected me, I'd probably have an easier time deciding which route to take.

I'm glad your husband's experience wasn't too bad... I'm definitely leaning that way, myself.

Nyksta · 09-11-2004, 05:23 PM

Hi Julias,

I can't help you with your worries unfortunatly, but had to answer because I am currently getting my wisdom teeth through! IT has taken years (I had a brace when I was early teens and was told they could see them under my gums in the x-rays). The bottom two have grown through mostly - and both are very very crocked. I was worried about this because my brother had to have his out for growing in basically horizontaly!
Fortunatly mine are not causing any problems (apart from the teething pain) and I hope I don't have to have them out!

I hope everything goes well for you.

Best Wishes

Nyk x

Twizzles · 09-11-2004, 05:30 PM

I had all four of mine taken out about 3 years ago and I don't remember a thing about the extractions. One wisdom tooth had broken thru the gum line, but the other three were still deep in my jaw.

I had mine done on a Friday morning and was back at work on Monday. I did have the swollen chipmunk look but not too bad. I had the laughing gas / sedation procedure. I don't remember anything except my husband and the doctor sitting in the room with me as I was waking up. I had a wonderful experience with my wisdom teeth. My doctor was very informative prior to the procedure. I only took one pain pill and that was on Friday.

Good Luck...

Evyllgrrl · 09-12-2004, 10:29 AM

I had all four of mine out last November--with IV sedation. I was SO anxious about having it done that I felt like I wouldn't have done it if they didn't put me out--I'd put it off for YEARS. I had one that they had to dig out too. I was dopey for the rest of the day of the surgery, but the next day I was mostly fine. I had one day where I felt pretty funky, but I stopped taking the Vicodin and felt better.

Overall, I had very little swelling and almost no bruising--this is after the surgeon told me to expect black eyes since I'm so fair-skinned. I definately recommend the sedation. Just make sure you have someone around to keep you on schedule for changing your gauze and icing your face.

Heather

Pamela · 09-12-2004, 11:37 AM

I vote for going totally under.
I had all 4 of mine out when I was 16. 2 were up and 2 were impacted. All I remember is waking up. The pain wasn't that bad.
Pam

Rasburry · 09-12-2004, 11:44 AM

If you have insurance that will cover it, go for the knock out. 40 minutes vs 5 minutes, get someone to drive you the 40 minutes.

I got all 4 wisdom teeth out just before I got pregnant with my twins. They had been bothering me for some time and I was in the midst of planning a pregnancy. I knew that if they acted up really bad while I was pregnant I'd have to wait until after baby was born.

At the time, being Navy, the insurance wouldn't pay for general anesthesia. I paid $400 bc I'm sooo sensative when it comes to my mouth/teeth. It was the best $400 ever spent. I wasn't sick at all when I was coming out. Some people do feel a little pukey, but some oral surgeons will give you an anti-emetic (anti-nausea) iin your IV drip.

If they have to dig around in your jaw, it's my opinion that you should definately be in dream land for that. Have you seen the tools that they use? It looks like tools that would be used to take out Fred Flinstones teeth! I'm not trying to scare you or tell you horror stories. Why put yourself through more pain/stress then necessary.

Good luck!

lots_of_dots · 09-12-2004, 11:51 AM

My top two wisdom teeth came in beautifully but my bottom two were impacted and were starting to grow out from underneath the bone so I had to have all four extracted. I was knocked out completely and don't remember a thing. My oral surgeon gave me some medication to help keep from swelling and I didn't have any swelling or bruising. I was actually out driving around the next day and eating regular food the day after that. For me it wasn't bad at all but I'm glad I was knocked out. GL to you!!

Smurfie · 09-12-2004, 09:54 PM

Before I had my wisdoms cut out....I was in pain day and night and absolutely DREDDED the thought of going under and the pain of recovery and I put it off. I kept rescheduling my appointment. The pain only intensified so I finally went through with it. I went totally under....the nurse told me to count back from 100...I don't remember anything since 98. I woke up in a small room with my mother sitting there...puked once and was eating a few hours later! I got mine cut out on a Friday so I had the weekend to recover but honestly I could've worked the next day just fine!

I'm no stranger to having tooth extractions either. I just had 3 molars pulled on Thursday morning...took 3 advil and went back to work! I've had a total of 12 extractions...

, but oh well!

I would totally recommend going under. Good luck!

XFilesPony · 09-14-2004, 04:09 AM

I had mine out in July. I didn't have any as bad as you, but they did have to cut me open and break them out. I went to an oral surgeon.. Really no pain to speak of, and I had mine out early Monday afternoon and I was back at camp Wednesday morning at 8 teaching horseback riding lessons...

Julius · 09-14-2004, 01:14 PM

thanks so much for responding everyone. You've definitely helped calm my fears - just hoping my procedure turns out as well as all of yours did!

I'm still not certain which route I'm going to take, but overall, I feel better about the whole thing now!

much thanks.