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female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes: more of a health issue than relationship, but advice is appreciated, aunts this is so not a relationship question but it's bothering me , I was fine till recently I realized my wisdom teeth was coming out I thought I didn't even have them, I went to the dentist to get it sorted out, I don't know what I was really expecting, perhaps a "you don't have to pull them out" now the dentist has charged me 400 per tooth, so it would be like 1600 bucks to have them all extracted! I don't have insurance so I'll have to pay it myself, not to mention I'd have to miss work for a few days,the problem is I'm not making that much money and I was wondering if any of you lovely people could tell me what would happen if I just let them grow and once they're out if they'll stop hurting when I chew and everything should be fine, I don't really wanna talk to my parents about this because then they would offer to pay and I will only do that if it can't be helped, my friends all had theirs pulled out so they were of no help offering advice so if you guys have an opinion it would be appreciated.
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (9 February 2013): In the UK a government body has published recommendations under which the NHS (health service) has to operate. http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA1/Guidance/pdf/EnglishWhile I don't agree with all the points, it's a pretty good place to start. Essentially what it says is that wisdom teeth should only be removed if they are causing problems and those problems are recurring. The most common problem with wisdom teeth is called pericoronitis and is an infection of the skin around the partially erupted tooth. This causes a painful swelling which can get in the way when you try to chew. Generally it only affects the lower teeth as the top ones tend to have enough room to erupt.One thing that isn't covered in the guidance which I think should be, is that foodtrapping between the wisdom tooth and the one in front can cause decay in the adjacent tooth. Generally it's picked up late (by X-rays) and leads to the loss of both teeth. To me this is another reason to have them removed. As for the removal, if it's straight forward it can be done by any general dentist. Upper wisdom teeth are just about the easiest to extract of all teeth. Lower impacted teeth are more of a problem and usually require surgery. The extent and difficulty of the surgery will vary depending upon the tooth's location. In many cases it is necessary to be seen by an oral surgeon to have the teeth removed and they may recommend a general anaesthetic.By all means ask for a second opinion, but it might also be worth checking out to see if there are cheaper ways to get the surgery. Someone has already mentioned dental schools which may be worth checking out.As for recovery, it will vary depending upon the complexity and any complications (rare), but I had all four of mine done at once and was back at work the next day, other people will take a few days.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (8 February 2013): I asked the question, and I thank you all so much for taking the time to answer me question, I'll visit another dentist and see what can be done, since of all 4 teeth only two came out ( and they're not impacted), and only one is bothering me when I chew, the dentist mentioned many reasons why pulling out all four of them at once ( that's why I'm questioning whether I should do it or not)I'll seek a second opinion.
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female
reader, Tisha-1  +, writes (8 February 2013):
 http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/wisdom-teeth
Two of mine were impacted and so had to be removed. The others would not fit into my jaw in a way that made the other teeth remain aligned.
I was about your age and went to a dental school and had it done very inexpensively. It wasn't a whole lot of fun but I survived just fine.
You have to be your best health advocate. No one else will do the same job. Step up, be brave, do what is best for your long term health. Leaving teeth to rot if they are impacted is NOT a good idea.
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female
reader, Ciar  +, writes (8 February 2013):
 Unless they`re causing you pain, why not wait for them to grow in and then have them pulled? Extracting them when they`re still below the gum line makes it surgery and surgery costs more. It`s much cheaper to pull an already exposed tooth.
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female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (8 February 2013):
 Actually around here 1600 for 4 wisdom teeth is cheap
I just had two teeth bonded due to old dental work needing repair and even with good dental insurance I owe over 600 dollars...
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female
reader, Anonymous 123  +, writes (8 February 2013):
 My wisdom teeth too were impacted and growing sideways and pushing against my other teeth. It was a nightmare and I had to have them all extracted. I still shudder when I think of the x-rays and the way they showed my teeth growing sideways and literally inside my gums, shoving the other teeth! It wasn't a pretty sight!
Please don't ignore dental problems, they are really, REALLY awful and the pain can turn into agony if not nipped in the bud. Take your parents' help with the money and get your teeth fixed immediately, do not delay. I'm speaking from experience, trust me, it wont get any better miraculously, it'll only get worse.
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female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (8 February 2013):
NO surgeon is going to do work they don't need to do in this day and age.
MOST folks need their wisdom teeth removed... and it's not pleasant... and honey that's what parents are for... if you have a medical need and can't afford it ASK THEM.
Dental coverage sucks in general... but if the wisdom teeth are impacted then you need an oral surgeon and that's covered more than a dentist.
I had to have all four wisdom teeth out at age 17. I missed two weeks of school as they were not only impacted (they grow in under the GUMS) but they were SIDEWAYS and UNDER THE BONE as well. You would think that if they are not even in my mouth they would not be a problem but it can have very negative effects on your health in general.
PEOPLE can and do die from not taking care of their teeth.
If you think the dentist is making suggestions to make money, get a second opinion.
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (8 February 2013): It depends on your teeth.
If your jaws have enough room, and if the wisdom teeth are not pushing your other teeth, then there is no reason to pull them.
The best thing to do is to get a second opinion from a dentist you trust (better than that: a jaw surgery specialist). Unfortunately, some dentists will try to alarm us, just to take our money!
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female
reader, CindyCares +, writes (8 February 2013):
 Maybe I give the medical profession more credit and trust that they deserve, but I can't think that a dentist would advise you unnnecessary dental surgery just to scam you out of 1600 bucks . Also because I never met anybody who had their wisdom teeth extracted , or any dentist who would advise the extraction, just for the heck of it. Or as a routine procedure. Wisdom teeth are no trouble if they have proper room to grow and develop. Maybe yours haven't got space enough and are pushing out existing teeth and causing a disalignment, which could in future interfere with their functionality , cause frequent gum infections, give you chronic headhaches etc. etc.
What you should ask to this dentist - or to another for a second opinion- if , in your specific case , the possible damage would be only or mostly esthetic ( you could live with that ) or also , or mostly, functional , which makes quite a difference.
Anyway, if you feel pain when you chew, I guess he's not totally inventing a problem which isn't there...
If you decide for the extraction, remember that nowadays all dentists accept, in fact promote, payment plans with affordable monthly installments - it's not something unusual or shameful to ask for, it's normal, seen the high costs of dental care.
Or, if they can afford it, just ask your parents. They ARE your parents so they probably care about your health more than about their own.
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female
reader, golddigger99 +, writes (8 February 2013):
 It all depends on how they're coming out. If they're infected or impacted, you need to have them removed. Seriously though, even if they're impacted or infected, it's rare when all 4 of them are like that. If you do need to have them removed, request that you only get the ones that NEED removing.
I had a dentist appointment 2 weeks ago. It turns out that I need 1 surgically removed because it was impacted. Usually, a general dentist doesn't do extractions on impacted teeth, from my experience. So, unless he referred you to a dental surgeon, I wouldn't worry. *again, just my experience*
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female
reader, ihavetoomanythoughts  +, writes (8 February 2013):
 Hello! Did the dentist say it was absolutely necessary to get ALL of them removed? Because I know that you only need to get them removed if they're coming out horizontally instead of vertically like the rest of your other teeth. Horizontally directioned wisdom teeth will push all your other teeth out of alignment and may mess with your nerves so it's really important they get removed :S But if your jaw is big enough and the wisdom teeth are growing in the right direction then you probably don't need to get them removed. Did you get X-rays done at all?This is for wisdom teeth which come out vertically (which is good): When they come out, they may hurt a bit as they're pushing past your gums, but I think once they are out it's OK. You just need to make sure you brush them well (which is hard cause they're so far back) otherwise you'll get cavities which may lead to bigger issues.If your dentist doesn't have a good reason for why you should get them removed, then don't visit him/her anymore cause they just want your money. But yeah, as person12345 said, if there's a really important medical reason as to why they need to be removed, then you should definitely ask your parents. And you know, you can always pay them back :P
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female
reader, person12345 +, writes (8 February 2013):
 We can't really answer that. It depends how they're growing in. If they're coming in alright (there's room for them, they don't become infected, etc...) you really don't need them out. For some reason dentists seem to insist that people get their wisdom teeth out regardless of what is going on with them, when they would be fine on their own.
On the other hand, if they are infected, impacted, pushing against your other teeth, then you need to have them out or you will encounter issues. If you really do need them out, you should just ask your parents for help. It's better than going into debt.
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