AIBU?
Any dentists on here...wisdom tooth advice please?
bettyfretty · 08/10/2022 15:03
So I'm not a fan of my new dentist, I went to see her on Friday and she's right in what she says....I need to do something about my wisdom tooth but get attitude I didnt appreciate.
My bottom right wisdom tooth is impacted. Before covid, my previous dentist said it needs to come out because it's affecting the tooth next to it. She sent me to see a consultant at the hospital. Had an X-ray at the hospital and the consultant said he wasn't keen on removing it because it was very near a nerve which could leave me with issues around my bottom lip and losing sensation in that area. Obviously I do not want this! It would be a general anaesthetic as it's not going to come out easy. He suggested it may be better to take the tooth out next to my wisdom tooth.
He also suggested sending me off for a scan but then covid hit and it never happened. I managed to see my dentist before covid properly hit and she was disappointed he wouldn't take it out but understood. She told me to think about what I wanted to do but then lockdown happened and she retired and never saw her again.
6 months ago I had my first normal check up with a new dentist, he looked at my tooth and advised me on how to clean the area properly. He said no need to do anything, just really look after the area.
On Friday I went back for another check up and saw this new dentist. She hadn't read my previous notes and said she was going to refer me to the hospital - I explained I've already been at the consultation advised against taking it out. She wasn't happy with this at all and basically didn't raise her voice but made it very clear it needs to come out.
Now I'm in no pain with my wisdom tooth. I've known it's been an issue for years and years and I do try keep it clean. I'm also very much aware that it should come out but the consultant has put me well and truly off this.
The tooth next to my wisdom tooth now needs a filling which I'm booked in for. I don't know wether to mention just taking that tooth out as suggested by my consultant or just do what the dentist said....which was actually nothing except get angry at me.
I'm quite worried about it now, I need to do something. I'm usually pretty good at procedures but this im freaking out about!
Has anyone experienced similar? Where you've been told it's better to leave it in than take it out?
ILoveRumblyRabbit · 08/10/2022 15:27
I had my bottom right impacted wisdom tooth taken out in February after years of putting it off. My tooth was close to the nerve too but was still able to have it out in the chair with local anesthetic at the dental hospital. It literally took 5 minutes to pull out as they had to split the tooth to remove it in parts. I have had no issues since and have been able to save the tooth that it was leaning on.
I think they have scared you out of it, but there is really no need. Is there another consultant that you could get a second opinion from?
MatildaTheCat · 08/10/2022 15:41
DB has this situation. He lives in a highly medicalised country and had an MRI and was advised against removing the tooth. He was told he could end up with severe nerve pain- that’s not a risk I’d ever take. He does have to look after it and has occasionally had infections.
No real reason to decline another hospital referral though? Then you can hopefully get the scan and take a decision made on the most expert advice.
bettyfretty · 08/10/2022 15:45
MatildaTheCat · 08/10/2022 15:41
DB has this situation. He lives in a highly medicalised country and had an MRI and was advised against removing the tooth. He was told he could end up with severe nerve pain- that’s not a risk I’d ever take. He does have to look after it and has occasionally had infections.
No real reason to decline another hospital referral though? Then you can hopefully get the scan and take a decision made on the most expert advice.
Oh I haven't declined another referral. I said I was more than happy to be seen again. It was more than my dentist threw her toys out of the pram when I told her I'd already been and told me off but didn't actually say she would refer me again. I'll speak to her when I go for my filling and hope she's in a better mood.
I'd happily go again, it took a good 12 months to get the appointment in the first place
RobinHumphries · 08/10/2022 15:48
It’s difficult to give a professional opinion without examining you and/ or seeing the X-rays. However my nurse had a similar issue that the wisdom tooth was causing decay in the next tooth. None of the dentists in the practice (including myself) would commit to a definite solution so she ended up being referred to hospital. She was on their waiting list for so long (can’t remember if they ever actually saw her) that she gave up and got me to take out the tooth with decay.
bettyfretty · 08/10/2022 16:55
RobinHumphries · 08/10/2022 15:48
It’s difficult to give a professional opinion without examining you and/ or seeing the X-rays. However my nurse had a similar issue that the wisdom tooth was causing decay in the next tooth. None of the dentists in the practice (including myself) would commit to a definite solution so she ended up being referred to hospital. She was on their waiting list for so long (can’t remember if they ever actually saw her) that she gave up and got me to take out the tooth with decay.
Ahh interesting, so her wisdom tooth was left alone? Would this be less likely for her to have future problems with her wisdom tooth?
bettyfretty · 08/10/2022 16:57
ILoveRumblyRabbit · 08/10/2022 15:27
I had my bottom right impacted wisdom tooth taken out in February after years of putting it off. My tooth was close to the nerve too but was still able to have it out in the chair with local anesthetic at the dental hospital. It literally took 5 minutes to pull out as they had to split the tooth to remove it in parts. I have had no issues since and have been able to save the tooth that it was leaning on.
I think they have scared you out of it, but there is really no need. Is there another consultant that you could get a second opinion from?
I'd happily go back for a second opinion. I do know in my case it will definitely be a case of general anaesthetic as I've been told that by every dentist I've seen. It's not going to be nice but I'm ok with that. I'm not ok with the high risk of nerve damage
FionnulaTheCooler · 08/10/2022 17:07
I'm in a similar position, OP, and I'm on the waiting list to have mine out with IV sedation at the dental surgeon's. Mine is partially erupted and has been for a couple of years and my own dentist wants me to have it out to stop it from damaging the tooth it's pushing against. The dental surgeon said that's pretty much my decision to make, it might not damage the other tooth but there's no guarantees. I'm really not looking forward to having it done, hence the sedation request, but I'd rather just put on my big girl pants and get it over and done with than risk the impacted tooth causing issues in the future.
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