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Original poster

Please tell me all about your lower wisdom tooth extraction.

55 replies

VolcanicCoconutCoast · 19/10/2018 11:15

Hi all.

I'm having my lower wisdom tooth out soon.. I'm having it out under local (although I have been given the option of GA at hospital, however dental nurse said this wouldn't be "very nice" and advised I go for local)
I had my top ones out and it was a doddle. But this one is impacted and will involve cutting the gum and drilling some bone away..... I'm really quite nervous. I asked for sedation through IV or gas but my dentist doesn't want to give me this as they don't have anywhere in the surgery for me to recover. I'd go private but it's going to cost £700 so quite expensive.....

I'm worried about;

The pain afterwards (due to the drilling in the bone)

How long it will take to actually take the tooth out

The sound of the drill/sensation

Possibility of dry socket/loss of feeling

Any advice and reassurance would be welcome..... Thanks

OP posts:
8DaysAWeek · 19/10/2018 11:17

Following with interest. Getting my impacted lower wisdom tooth out next month. Going to the dental hospital for it. Was offered sedation/GA but going for local.

LarryFreakinStylinson · 19/10/2018 11:20

Mine didn’t go well but I’m sure that’s a freak occurrence. I have everything crossed for you for a quick procedure/recovery. I’ve had plenty of friends that had no issues whatsoeverSmile

Squirrelfruitandnutkin · 19/10/2018 11:23

I had a wisdom tooth out -lower left side. It was lying on its side, rather than pointing up like normal.

TMI TIME
The dentist drilled it till it broke enough and pulled the bits out. This was under local anaesthetic.
My mouth was so sore and bruised and although I did not get dry socket I did get a infection and needed some antibiotics. It was horrid and I felt really battered. But it got better and I recovered. It took a few weeks to feel normal tho.
The procedure was noisy but I listened to a podcast to distract myself and shut my eyes the entire time so I wouldn’t need to see any of the tools.
It took about 45 minutes - I was told 20 (!) Apparently it was a very awkward extraction, my Nhs dentist referred me to a private specialist as she wasn’t able/ qualified/ something to do it herself.
I needed dh to drive me home as I was a bit wobbly after and not much use for the rest of the day. Then I had to just get on with life.

It was not fun but it was better than repeated infections there. And not the worst thing that’s ever happened by a long way.

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fudgeandtortillas · 19/10/2018 11:24

I am in a similar situation. I have a wisdom tooth growing horizontally that needs to come out. I have never had anything done to my teeth before. I am nervous, but trying not to worry too much before I know more.

This is a silly question, but how do you keep your mouth open wide for long enough while they do it?

ShotsFired · 19/10/2018 11:25

Very similar situation to you OP - also previously had top one out easily and in a few minutes flat.

Warning, the following is real, but not reassuring....
The long and short of it is that I would go for a general if I was doing it again.

=========

Went along to hospital for it, had the local anaesthetic, started the yanking. Needed more anesthesia as it wasn't enough. Was pretty grim - not painful but unpleasant experience to have someone digging in your jaw and feeling the grinding-wrenching sensations inside my own head. I ended up crying, not from pain but from the distress of the general experience.

Came home shortly after - in hindsight should not have driven myself.

Got dry socket soon after (I remember tasting blood on night 1 and should have done something immediately) and have never been in so much pain in my life. I was holding frozen icepacks directly on my face to numb the area but still in tears from it. Started with co-codamol (and some illicit tramadol when that wasn't enough), then amoxycillin and then onto a different antibiotic when that didn't work. Took a good 2-3 weeks to recover. But on the upside (!) it's all been absolutely plain sailing since then.

Onebiteofeverything · 19/10/2018 11:28

I had all 4 wisdom teeth out in one go under GA. The bottom was impacted. Obviously I was asleep for the procedure but it was just a simple day case. Was a bit groggy and nauseous coming round but went home a few hours later.

The pain a few days later was pretty rough to be honest. I was on the sofa for about a week!

ponyandpanda · 19/10/2018 11:50

My brother in law's was impacted as well. It is true these extractions are more complicated, more painful and harder to heal from than the 'normal' ones. I would recommend a GA as it will be that much less stressful and minimize the amount of bad memories you'll have to recover from. In addition, watching youtube videos of the procedure itself might help you cope psychologically by lifting the veil and allowing you to understand what they are doing to you in detail - especially if you don't do GA. It might also reduce some of the unknown that fuels your fear and anxiety. Also, dose up on high dose VIT C to fight infection! Good luck, you got this, momma!

EleanorLavish · 19/10/2018 12:05

I had four teeth removed, one a week for 4 weeks, under local. Didn't hurt or bother me a bit.
Had all 4 wisdom teeth removed when |I was 19yo as they were agony and there was no room for them.
I had a McDs on the way home from the hospital (blush) and had been given a week off work, as everyone said you'll be in agony.
Never felt a thing!
I have a tiny mouth, btw, hence all the removals, there isn't room for them all. You'll be grand!

EleanorLavish · 19/10/2018 12:06

Just to add, the pain I was in for weeks before I had wisdom teeth out was terrible. I was like a chipmonk, all swollen up. Removal is a relief!

EleanorLavish · 19/10/2018 12:08

That doesn't make sense.
Had 4 teeth out in school under local at dentist.
Had all four wisdom teeth out under GA in hospital.

TheCrowFromBelow · 19/10/2018 12:15

I had 3 out under sedation at the dentist, over 20 years ago. 2 impacted lower wisdom teeth.
I had stitches which were very painful, I couldn’t eat solid food for a week, and my face was a triangle.
It was really sore but there was no infection or dry socket, and it was worth it as the bottom ones were continually inflamed.
I think I did warm salt water rinses at least once a day, and had double strength ibuprofen alternating with paracetamol.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/10/2018 12:16

I had mine done under local - top 2 first which had grown through.
Bottom two had to be cut and stitched.

I didn't have sedation (I was driving)
It was a weird feeling when they tighten onto the tooth, like someone trying to uncork wine Grin

I had a broken molar removed under local, that took longer but had to be removed in quarters.

I had to go to the hospital as there was a risk of nerve damage. I had a numb chin for a few months but ok now.

Honestly easier at local dentists .

Get your painkillers but nothing with asprin.

Stupomax · 19/10/2018 14:30

I'm having my lower wisdom tooth out soon.. I'm having it out under local (although I have been given the option of GA at hospital, however dental nurse said this wouldn't be "very nice" and advised I go for local)

I had my lower two (impacted) done under GA and if I was given the choice I would do it that way again.

Yokohamajojo · 19/10/2018 14:36

I've done 2, apparently both uncomplicated. The first one was fine and not too much pain afterwards at all. Second one was hell and my cheek looked like a balloon for a long time. This was years ago and I still have a hole where the sodding tooth was removed.

Magicstar1 · 19/10/2018 14:58

I've had all four out under local...not a bother. Yes there's a lot of tugging and pulling, some sound of grinding etc. in your head, but nothing too bad.

My bottom ones were badly impacted but apart from the consultant kneeling up on the chair to get a grip it was fine - the two of us were actually laughing away at it.

Annajohnsdottir · 19/10/2018 15:29

I think it's luck of the draw as to how well it'll go and how you'll feel afterwards. I personally didn't have a pleasant experience but you may be luckier.

I first had one impacted wisdom tooth out under local. That experience prompted me to ask that they take the next 3 out all at the same time under general as I didn't want a repeat of the first time.

Stock up on painkillers and liquid foods for the first few days following. Hopefully you'll be back to normal in less than a week.

TheOud · 19/10/2018 15:57

I had all four impacted ones out under GA many years ago ( was too complicated to be done In dentists). The consultant recommended taking arnica tablets for a week before and as soon as possible afterwards for another few days to help with bruising etc.

I had minimal bruising and although my jaw was very stiff for a week very little pain. Don’t know if this was because of or inspite of the arnica but it’s definitely worth taking it. My DD was also advised to take it before an op on her nose and that was about 16 years after my tooth removal so it still seems to be a thing.

I did have one dry socket whIch started about a week after the extraction. I thought I had an ear infection as the pain was in my ear. It was very very painful indeed but the dentist cleared and packed it and the relief was instant.

The overall experience wasn’t nice but not as bad as I expected. And the surgeon said he had never seen such long roots and that the teeth took a lot of wrestling out. Foods like yoghurts, custards are good and go for things without ‘bits’ in. Also sleep on a couple of pillows rather than flat.

Original poster
VolcanicCoconutCoast · 19/10/2018 17:55

Thanks all - I'm thinking about taking some diazepam before my appointment (have some left over from a previous long haul flight) Would this be ok? It won't affect the anaesthetic or anything?
Thanks..

OP posts:
EleanorLavish · 19/10/2018 22:11

It shouldn’t, but i would check first. Just tell him you’ve had them.

Adviceandguidanceneeded · 19/10/2018 23:06

I've had all 4 out 1 needed GA, the others with local. 2 came out fine and no pain after not nice noises but no pain or discomfort! 1 was much harder to get out so lots of yanking which led to bruising and a discomfort for a few days but not agony . Went back to work the same day ! I actually found it less uncomfortable than a filling.

Original poster
VolcanicCoconutCoast · 21/10/2018 21:12

How difficult is it to keep your mouth open during this procedure?? I've been advised it should take 20 mins but could take up to 40! Is there something they can put in your mouth to hold it open?

I have TMJD (and forget to mention this at my appointment) and find it hard to open my mouth too wide and for long periods of time.

OP posts:
PotteryGirl · 21/10/2018 21:19

4 out at once..two upper ok two lower impacted. GA in day surgery and a week of full strength para-codeine every 4 hours. Max daily dosage..It was hard work. Almost addicted by the end of it..🤪 Survived it though. Absolutely no way I’d go local. Sorry.

al2002 · 21/10/2018 21:29

There are props (look a bit like a very rubbery bath plug & chain) to hold your mouth open but this is more for GA. A local dentist may not have these.

BertramKibbler · 21/10/2018 21:34

I had all 4 out under GA as all were impacted. I looked like a bruised hamster for days. Stock up on painkillers and soft/ liquid foods.

Flowerypig · 21/10/2018 21:39

Hi! I had a lower wisdom tooth out under local in 2011 and it was alll fine. Actually a complete relief from the pain the tooth was causing. Had never had a tooth out before and was terrified- but was very quick and painless. There was a big crack sound and I thought they’d snapped a bit off.....but thtat was the whole thing out. Nice and easy. I had it out at 10 and had booked the rest of the day off- but went in as had paper work to do. They sent me home for dribbling! Didn’t need any pain killers after either.

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