What would you do?

At 17, after a lifetime of braces and having baby teeth yanked out by dentists, I had to have all my wisdom teeth out at the same time. There was no choice, they were growing in sideways and if left alone would destroy what my braces had corrected. I didn't want to be put under, I'd had almost all my baby teeth pulled in a dentist's chair so I was quite used to people poking and prodding and generally causing me pain in my mouth. However, the oral surgeon insisted on general anesthetic. When I woke up I could hardly walk and my mom had to basically carry me to the car. I ate too soon after waking up and threw up the only food I'd been allowed to eat in two days. As the drugs began to wear off, I noticed once quarter of my mouth (the right half of my chin from my chin bone up to and including the lip) didn't regain sensation, it stayed numbed like it was still novicained. Turns out the oral surgeon had severed a nerve under one of the wisdom teeth. 11 years later, the feeling still has not returned, and it never will. I don't say this to scare anybody (this was many years ago now, I'm sure the procedure has been perfected a bit in over a decade!) but please be aware of and pay attention to the possible risks. I still have muscular control of the area, it responds a little slower, but I'm the only one who can notice it. The worse part of it is if I've got mustard or ice cream or something on my chin I can't tell! I have to rely on a mirror or the strange looks from other people
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Heya,


I actually had to sign a paper saying that I was aware that said nerve could be severed. I guess they found out about that one on people like you. I got lucky with mine, though I also managed to throw up things pretty good for a while after the procedure.

Cheers


John Herreshoff
 
I had my bottom wisdom teeth taken out when I was in college. It was nice not having to worry about insurance, you know? But all kidding aside, it really wasn't that bad.

I had it done with local anesthetic, just lots of novacaine. I could see the dentist get out the hammer and chisel to yank those things out, but I couldn't feel a thing. That was one of the oddest things I've ever done in my life. I'm opening my mouth, and letting someone put a chisel and hammer in there, and letting them pound away, and I'm feeling nothing.

I didn't have to deal with any serious drugs afterwards, just tylenol with codeine.

I'd say get it done now, just to be safe and do it while you've got insurance. Do it before you go to one of the mills because you're going to be without insurance when you're there, correct? And God forbid that you have to have the teeth yanked when you're there!
 
I had all 4 taken out when I was 16. General anesthesia and they hadn't broken the skin yet, so they had to dig for 'em. I had heard that it would be very painful, but it wasn't. I didn't even take most of the pain pills they gave me.
 
I had mine taken out about 4 months ago, it is not as bad as everyone says. About 4 days of just sittin around and taken vicotin maybe once (if even that) a day. I think on the 5th day I was out at the beach and I was fine.
 
I'm a wreck when it comes to surgery!!!! It probably stems from not being in control, which is probably a pilot thing.

Buuuuut, I forced myself to get the smart teeth pulled and am a better man because of it
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. Oh, and it didn't hurt a bit.

Not that anyone cares, but my front teeth don't touch; No one would ever know by looking at me; buuuut doctor says later on I'll have pretty bad jaw problems so I'll have to get my upper jaw relocated. All I know is it involves a saw and titanium plates.
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later on I'll have pretty bad jaw problems so I'll have to get my upper jaw relocated. All I know is it involves a saw and titanium plates.

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Nah, that's just the maxillofacial surgeon trying to put his/her kids through college. Since we're telling wisdom teeth stories, I'll throw mine in: I had all of them cut out. They used local anesthetic with a general sedative ("you'll know exactly what we're doing to you, but you just won't care") and mine went fine. Some swelling, looked like a chipmunk for a few days. My older sister had them removed the same day, and hers did not heal well (dry sockets, lots of bleeding/swelling, etc). The moral: how much it sucks varies a lot, but the earlier you get them taken out the better.

-Zach
 
Saw and titanium plates? I'd wait until the jaw problems surface, then maybe I'd consider that. Sounds like you need a second opinion. I've heard of dentists wanting to pull teeth that only had minor cavities, maybe yours wants extensive surgury for something a spacer can fix.
 
I had 4 of my wisdom teeth removed last summer, and lemme tell ya, it was the best experience I've had in a long time. I didn't really have any pain, well after all of the Vicodin of course. I was nervous about getting knocked out, but if you are offered a choice between a general or local anesthetic, go with the general.

NOTHING beats sitting around playing videogames while being served chocolate pudding by your mommy
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Yeah I've got second, third, and fourth opinions from both dentists and surgeons; all say the same friggin thing
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This is a huge thing for me and something I don't even want to think about until I HAVE to do it... and it's the ABSOULETE LAST thing I want to do... but I have insurance now (and won't later), and it won't interfere with a career, etc now.

Also, if I wait until I start getting migranes (which supposedly will happen...) I'm sh$t outta luck at whatever flying job I'll be at until I can get it taken care of.

I'd love to be convinced otherwise though...

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SkyGuyEd - I couldnt have said it better myself (although I only went for a second opinion).

The tooth fairy should be visiting late next week, but Im still having issues with the rationalizing. Its unsettling to have them yanked because its convenient. Oh well, theres no turning back now.

Thanks again for sharing. Ill post my tale afterwards, although Im hoping to not remember much.
 
Hey, having babies hurts worse so you'll be ok!
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I had mine out 3 years ago and I had them put me under cause no way in heaven could I sit there while they work on me. The crappy part is the afterwards. They didn't give me any pain meds so I had to tough it. Plus they put this stuff with clove oil in it on the wounds and it made me feel ill and I wanted to puke. BUT, once it was over it was over. The reason they have you do it before it becomes a problem is because they can push down on nerves and cause paralysis if not removed. They apparently keep growing so they will likely cross a nerve some day. So I say better to get it done before it hurts or causes permanent damage. Hope it's over quickly for you!
 
I had my wisdom teeth removed last year before thanksgiving, kinda hurt my chances at a good meal. Mine was just the regular surgery, that afternoon i was asleep most of the day, then on and off the next. I only used one of the Vicadin that they prescribed for me. The pain wasn't bad in my case, it just wasn't alot of fun not being able to eat what I wanted for awhile.
As far as flying is effected - the doctor that did my surgery was an F16 pilot, he told me about a week off of flying would be fine if I remember correctly. Not too bad.
 
Well, my mouth is a lot more stupid, but Im feeling great! Apparently one of my lower teeth proved a bit difficult to remove, but frankly I dont think I would have know the difference. I was a bit nervous and am glad it is over. Now, I get to lounge around, take drugs and ring my little bell (this is the life)!

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement.

PS I hope this post is somewhat coherent and sorry for any mumbling.
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